Raising world-changers

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The quote above didn’t really have that much meaning to me until I was tasked to write the script for a video to promote our community’s Work with the Poor program, aptly named “ANCOP” (ANswering the Cry Of the Poor). I was stuck with ideas on how to go about it, but reading Gandhi’s quote helped give me the inspiration for the script for the video below:

People may call me an idealist, but I truly believe that each one of us has the capacity to change the world, even those deemed “weak” or “powerless” by the world, like our very own children.

If children are taught during their younger years about what is truly essential in life, they can actually do so much. Children can become world-changers, especially if they are able to see the adults around them making an effort to be better people, one step at a time.

In reality, there is no way that we parents can know how our children will turn out to be, but we do have a major role to play in building their character. Whether we like it or not, what we say and do (even what we think!) will have an effect on our children, and even our future grandchildren. We can only hope and pray that our efforts will pay off in the end, and that our kids will truly become people who make a positive impact in the world.

I’m sure Maria Aragon’s parents are happy and proud of what their daughter has become. More than being one of the newest YouTube sensations, and one of ABS-CBN’s newest young talents, Maria is now also ANCOP’s ambassador for the ANCOP Global Walk, which takes place on August 21, 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia.

Maria Aragon is ANCOP Global Walk Ambassador (from Alma Alvarez on Vimeo)

I applaud Maria because at a young age, she is already becoming a “world-changer” in her own way by being a voice for the millions of poor children around the Philippines who hope to get a good education through ANCOP’s scholarship program.

Maria Aragon singing the ANCOP theme song at the CFC Metro Manila Mission Core Gathering last August 7

Along with composer Vehnee Saturno, who is also an ANCOP advocate, Maria will be joining hundreds of people at the SM MOA concert grounds to raise funds for scholars, in effect being the change they wish to see in the world.

Composer Vehnee Saturno, ANCOP Advocate (from Alma Alvarez on Vimeo)

The ANCOP Global Walk will be happening not just at SM Mall of Asia, but in different parts of the Philippines and other countries as well, such as the US, Canada and Australia. It will truly be a global event of people from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities, united in one common purpose: to change the world, one step at a time, one child at a time.

ANCOP scholars from Tala, Metro Manila – lives changed through education.

So you see, it really doesn’t take much to be a world-changer, or to raise one at that. We just need to take it one day at a time, one step at a time, and leave the rest to God’s grace.

P.S. Just in case you and your family are looking for a fun, worthwhile bonding activity on August 21, I invite you to join us for the ANCOP Global Walk at 5am at the SM Mall of Asia. Let’s change the world, one step at a time!

To find out more about the ANCOP Global Walk, please click here.

To register, please click here.

To download the Walk Map, please click here.

To get the contact information of the ANCOP Global Walk Secretariat, please click here.

To find out other ways you and your family can help raise funds for scholars, please click here.

See you at MOA on August 21!

Photo credit: Jerry Tanigue of CFC ANCOP

Video credits:

Be the Change ANCOP Video - CFC ANCOP and Imagine Image Productions

Maria Aragon and Vehnee Saturno Videos - Parto Communications