By ASHLEE COYEIn America and all around the world, teens were asked by Pope John Paul to take a more active part in society. There are several ways in which we can help. If you don't know what you can do to help, please read on.
There are several projects young adults can do to get involved. For instance, you can help build homes for the homeless. Think how happy this would make someone who had lost their home to natural disasters or financial problems. You can also help by raising money for such causes. If this is something you would like to get involved with, you can contact an organization like Habitat For Humanity.
Food distribution is another great way to help the needy and mobilize generosity. Food pantries can never have enough food to distribute. If you help by collecting food and other supplies, the need would not be as great. Contact your local parish or other organized food drive. They will be very appreciative of your help. I guarantee it!
There is a need for higher education. People less fortunate than we are deserve a chance to have an education. There are people in the world who don't even know how to read. Reading is a skill we all should know. By reading, we are able to learn more about ourselves and others. Most of us who take literacy for granted should take a look on the other side and see where we would stand if we were illiterate. Think of the gift you could give someone if you taught them to read. You would open up a whole new world to them. If you are interested in giving someone the valuable gift of literacy, contact the Literacy of American Foundation. Literacy is just one more way we can make the world a better place.
In the world, the garbage is quickly piling up. People are becoming wasteful. In some areas of the world heaps of garbage on street corners are not an uncommon sight. Also, our forests are quickly becoming polluted by litter. Our oceans, seas, rivers and other water supplies are being affected by the carelessness of the human race. Slicks of oil, sewage, PCBs, and litter are quickly replacing the once clean and fresh waterways. Fish and other marine life are being endangered and killed because of this.
Our air is being affected, too. Air, the very thing we need to live, is being robbed of its composition. The new composition of air consists of dirt, car exhaust and dirt from factories.
From a brief overview, it looks like we are destroying our environment. Do not fear; there are things we can do to help improve our environment. We can pick up our litter and use recyclable material. We can also carpool and work to help stop chemical dumping in water. On a larger scale, there are organizations and groups that will eagerly recruit new members.
There are several ways in which we can fulfill Pope John Paul's request of mobilizing our generosity, intelligence and hospitality for all people. Hopefully, you will want to get involved and help the world to become a place with world peace and general unity.