Comments

1. 1 · Jamie · 25 November 2010, 12:09

   I would nominate my friend Jessica. She has a little precious boy named Levi and I am sure he would love this cup. So cute! They were expecting to add another baby, but she miscarried a week ago and she’s been really down and out since. I think an unexpected gift for her sweet boy would put a smile on his face and his smile would put a smile on hers.

   jamie.l.torres at gmail dot com

2. 2 · Melissa Banigan · 2 November 2012, 23:07

   My daughter attends a small homeschool group called Still Waters in a Storm. Still Waters is a safe haven for children in our Bushwick, Brooklyn (New York) neighborhood. Bushwick is an economically depressed area and has a largely immigrant population. There is a high crime rate. Our street, for example, has two drug dealers and my daughter is getting really good at jumping over rats scurrying over the sidewalk when we walk to the store. There are so many guns that if we hear an argument from the street we make sure to get away from the windows. It is common to hear helicopters flying overhead, and police sirens are always present. Yet Bushwick also has a VIBRANT community. There is a small grassroots theatre group, a little bookstore, a park that is slowly being cleaned up, and of course, Still Waters, which is run by an amazing person named Stephen. The other students/lovers of life in the homeschool group are ALL the children of immigrants from Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Many of their parents, all Spanish speakers, have varying (and terrifying) stories of crossing the border into the USA. They are not paid well because they are not allowed to work legally. Yet they are resilient and fun-loving (I wish you could see the fiestas we have during holidays at Still Waters!! AMAZING food, dancing, laughter…). One child in the homeschool group – I’ll call her Marta… not her real name (which I’d be happy to share with you in a personal email) – is a mystery to me. The same age as my daughter (11), Marta helps her mother take care of her three younger sisters. She is expected to shoulder the responsibilities of a grown woman. While the other kids go to sleepovers and playdates, Marta attends to duties at home. Her presence is always missed at birthday parties. And yet her greatest joys are those three younger girls. I get to see how she cares for one of them at Still Waters… She is truly a second “mother.” Her moral compass is inspiring and true. With all of her responsibilities, one might think that she would allow her studies to fall behind. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Marta is the ONLY student (my daughter included) to write down assignments in a book and, after class, while the other students run off to play, she attends to her math, science and writing. I often wonder if she hurries to do her work because it might be more difficult to get it done at home? Marta is the most humble person I know. Truly. While the other children want nothing more than to share their stories, writing, etc., Marta sits quietly and takes it all in. I’ve never seen her interrupt someone else who is speaking, and is so respectful of others that I often think of her as an example when I am tempted to interrupt someone to interject my own thoughts. At Still Waters, listening is considered to be the biggest sign of respect. I think Marta is the only person who attends the program who has this skill not only down pat, but second nature. Occasionally, Marta arrives in the morning quiet and withdrawn. The others all have their woes (these children encounter more hardships than would be respectful to write about), but what separates them from Marta is that they discuss them both verbally and written. Marta does not. She might take a morning to be on her own, and might shed a private tear in a corner, but her writing is full of hope, wonder and dreams. While some of the other children tackle difficult subjects in their writing (i.e. death, anger, etc), Marta discusses the wonders of ocean animals (which she’s currently researching) and the love she has for her mother and sisters (all of whom seem like remarkable people). I don’t know what goes on in Marta’s personal life. It’s none of my business, I suppose, unless Marta wants to share. I do know, however, that she is a total sweetheart and a person with integrity. She inspires me. In your post you asked us to consider what a person truly would like to receive. This past spring I urged Marta to apply for a scholarship to a music program in Manhattan. I was sure she’d get in. She declined. In hindsight, how very insensitive it was for me to push the program! Marta can’t leave her neighborhood to spend a day in Manhattan- not when it’s expected that she help out at home!! And yet, Marta deserves to explore life outside of her neighborhood. Since she can’t leave, it then makes sense to bring the world to her! I believe Marta, who is a researcher, lover of the ocean and dreamer of huge things, would love a tool that can help her escape from Bushwick. An iPad would do just this. She could watch videos of submarines deep in the ocean, discover new fish and learn more about jellyfish (her favorite topic) and just generally connect to people and places in new and exciting ways. I have my own big dreams for Marta. In contrast to my daughter, who has a relatively easy and carefree childhood, Marta is a caretaker. I’d love to also see her dive into her studies with abandon, anytime, anywhere and feel utterly childlike. I love this girl. I tell her occasionally that she is inspiring and that she motivates me to work harder, but she responds, “Melissa, no!” For her, praise isn’t necessary. What is necessary is that she be surrounded by unspoken love, books, notepads and pens. I feel incredibly gifted to have been able to travel and learn from the world. I would love for Marta to also experience these things in a big, broad way. What a generous gift you’re giving. I thank you for reading my story about Marta. If you want more information about her in a private email, please let me know. Also, if you want more information about Bushwick or Still Waters to help inform your decision on where the amazing gift should go, again, let me know! I know that my daughter would also be happy to write to you to tell you her thoughts on why we’d love for Marta to receive the gift of an iPad. Thanks, Melissa

3. 3 · Sherryn Lehto · 3 November 2012, 23:53

   Hi Lauren, my nomination is not for one person, rather several. My sister is a teacher (locally in Beenleigh). She teaches disengaged students. Many of her students have suffered tragedies in their lives, many are in care. She teaches a program called ASDAN. Currently there is no funding for ASDAN in Australia, and so she has to use alot of her own resources including her own computer for the children. My Mum (76 y/o) helps out one day a week with the kids, teaching them knitting and crafts and just as a “grandmother” figure. She makes sandwiches (lots of them) for the children as many of them go to school without food. As a family we help my sister support her passion to fill a need for an alternative to mainstream teaching techniques. I have personally watched these children wait for their turn on the computer to simply take a photo, or research a subject. To have access to an iPad would change their lives. Thanks so much for your kind generous offer. Sherryn.

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