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Launch Day The Gift of Identity

Nicolas – Happy Birthday

 

Today is the day. My first GIVE of 365 days of giving. I am somewhere between excited and terrified. My first GIVE to launch this journey is in honour of my son, Nicolas. I am starting today because it is Nic’s birthday. He has turned the ripe old age of 3 and he is the greatest gift I have ever received in my life.

We adopted our son. My husband and I tried for many years to have children naturally and were soon told by a fertility doctor that our chances of getting pregnant naturally ranked up there with the small miracles in the world. After many months of conversation, research and soul searching, we decided, as a couple, that adoption would be the path right for us.

We had just moved to British Columbia and we knew that there are thousands of children here in Canada that needed a forever home (as it is called in the adoption world). Our adoption story is a wonderful one, I like to think of it as our own personal miracle (the details are ideal for an adoption blog). Very shortly after starting the long adoption journey with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy who was born on this day and came home at 11 weeks old.

This GIVE is to honour our son and children all over the world that don’t have a forever family.  Millions of children are in desperate situations and need all over the world. Millions are born with no identity and no family. They don’t know where they came from, their birthday or who their parents are. So today, as my first GIVE, I am giving a child his own identity.

Day 1  / GIVE 1

If you have haven’t been onto the Plan Canada site go take a look. There are so many great options to help a child, a family, or an entire village. Today, I purchased a birth certificate for a child. You may be wondering how that could impact a child’s life so I have taken an excerpt right from the pages of the Plan Canada site to fully explain the impact of my GIVE.

“It’s more than just a piece of paper. It’s legal armour: proof of existence, and protection against child trafficking, exploitation and abuse. It’s also a key that opens the door to social, educational and political rights. It’s a simple document we take for granted in Canada, but every year 48 million children are not registered at birth.”

Yes, I could have bought my son the latest gadget or plastic toy that he will soon forget, but instead I will teach him about what I have done in his honour. Not only is a child across the world getting a gift but I get the great opportunity of teaching my son about giving back at the same time. He will still get his cake and balloons  (which is exactly what he has asked for) but he’ll also get a much bigger gift – the story about all the people his life has touched – our family,  the people in our community, and now, a child in need.

Happy Birthday Master Nicolas. We love you from the bottom of our hearts.

P.S. This GIVE took me 3.5 minutes to get online before my son even got up this morning.

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)