Causes about which you are most passionate

I would have to say child abuse. As one who suffered all four types of abuse, mainly mental/emotional abuse, for the first 22 years of my life, I have a burden for children and for adults who were abused as children and still suffering because of it. I have worked (voluntary work) in children's ministry for more than 40 years and in that time I have seen so many children abused to a greater or lesser degree. I literally shudder when I hear parents belittling their children or "putting them down" and wonder what the future holds for them. When I think about statistics which say that 1 in 4 children will be sexually abused before they reach 18 years old I wonder how much lower society can sink. I'd like to share an anonymous poem that I think you might like - THE CALLING I am called to minister to the largest mission field in the world. I am called to minister to children. My calling is sure, my challenge is big, my vision is clear, my desire is strong, my influence is eternal, my impact is critical, my values are solid, my faith is tough, my mission is urgent, my purpose is unmistakable, my direction is forward, my heart is genuine, my strength is supernatural, my reward is promised and my God is real. In a world of cynicism, I offer hope. In a world of confusion, I offer truth. In a world of immorality, I offer values. In a world of neglect, I offer safety. In a world of ridicule, I offer affirmation. In a world of bitterness, I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin, I offer salvation. In a world of hate, I offer God’s love. I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged or distracted. I will not look back, stand back, fall back or sit back. I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature or veneration. I do not have time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes or low vision. I will not give up, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender. I will pray when things look bad. I will pray when things are good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will work when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down. My calling is to reach boys and girls for God. This is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialised, too eternal to be fleeting and too passionate to be quenched. I know my mission and my challenge. I know my limitations and my weaknesses. I know my fears and my problems. And I know my God. Let others get the praise. Let the Church get the blessing. Let God get the glory. I am called to minister to children. This is who I am. This is what I do.

hi karen madam, I too also interest to do some thing to child welfare,there are lot children with mall nutrition in Africa,but up to what extent the mighty International organizations are doing favor to them,instead of pouring funds to the unwanted things,if they divert these funds to the child care?who will hear our words,have a nice day

Hi Karen! It is indeed great to know that you have such a noble thoughts and passions about welfare of children. You are very right that no child should remain hungry, homeless or without medical care. I also like to help children and I feel that if I could teach them (free of cost) as much as I can, so that they could become good citizens in life, when they grow up. Good education is one of the most important aspect of building a character. Deepak

Hello my friend I agree, anything that has to do with children I am on board our kids are our future we have to take care of them, if not then where will we be when the future rolls around and its run by knuckleheads Thanks my friend.

I am very passionate about the youth and their education. I feel it starts with them, and alot of our youth is lost in the media as how the world should be instead of whats logical. Have you herd the saying the youth is more wiser but weaker. I guess I have a old fashion spirit and would like to see the morals of yesterday instill in the youth today. Family morals ethics and values should be reinstilled, most families are broken up, single parents, and I just feel for the youth its like they ended before they started

I am torn between domestic violence and poverty, both situations break my heart and make me fiercely angry at the same time. Both issues can lead to bigger problems and seem to perpetuate from generation to generation. These cycles must be broken to effectively address and end these terrible circumstances. I donate as much as possible to the food bank, and local charities, and I have also taught remedial reading to children who struggle to keep up at school. I am very big on lending a helping hand in my own community first and foremost. While I understand others have different views of giving/charity, etc., I believe charity should start at home. Live a honorable life in your own home and reach out a helping hand to friends, neighbours and strangers in your own community. There is power and hope in numbers and we should all do our part. We may not be able to save the world, but we are certainly all capable of making a small change for the better at home.

i'M W/U . Karen. anything to do with a child being mistreated i'm all for the people to get the maximun punishment. I wish they would hang all child molestores or worse, castration is what they need.

Living Green, this is what I care the most about. It's something I can do and if I can pass it on get others to also do it. If we don't take care of the earth nothing else we do will matter to the human race.

hi karen, seems we have the same weak spot, and that is - children. i always feel so sad whenever i see children in the street begging for alms or children sick and neglected. i get angry knowing of children being abused and forced to do labor instead of going to school and playing with the other children. i really hope the world to change for the better. ann