Today I want to honor the youth of the world by introducing a youth from China.
From OneWorld and Mercy Corps: The World’s Youngest Principal – 17-year-old Zhang Yong
“Before the earthquake, he was a student at one of the schools here in Jin Hua. That changed immediately in the disaster’s aftermath: he was asked by displaced families to help create a temporary school. He gathered 15 volunteers, 13-17 years old, to get started.”
“‘Our goal is to keep these kids safe and on a routine, so they don’t forget their studies or what life was like before the earthquake.’ Zhang Yong said.”
“We’re proud to work with determined, energetic individuals like Zhang Yong — local leaders who are full of resolve to not only rebuild, but also care for their communities when it’s needed most.”
What were you doing to help your fellow humans when you were 17?
I was trying to figure out the difference between my minister father and God and that challenge made everything else a total confusion.
When did it dawn on you that helping others is one of the most spiritual things you can do?
It took me over 60 years to get the idea from my head to my heart.
Can you imagine adolescents doing things that most folk think are just for adults?
I can because I’ve known a few.
How do you think youth can be helped best to understand the world?
How do you think adults can be educated to accept the power and creativity of youth?
“A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain:
The image of YOUTH.
Thus the superior man fosters his character
By thoroughness in all that he does.
“A spring succeeds in flowing on and escapes stagnation by filling up all the hollow places in its path. In the same way character is developed by thoroughness that skips nothing but, like water, gradually and steadily fills up all gaps and so flows onward.”
I Ching
“The cause of universal education deserves the utmost support, for no nation can achieve success unless education is accorded all its citizens. Such an education should promote the consciousness of both the oneness of humanity and the integral connection between humankind and the world of nature. By nurturing a sense of world citizenship, education can prepare the youth of the world for the organic changes in the structure of society which the principle of oneness implies.”
Bahá’í International Community, 1992 June 06, Earth Charter
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Our Evolution 
Very powerful questions: How do you think youth can be helped best to understand the world? How do you think adults can be educated to accept the power and creativity of youth?
One way is to enable more and more youths to take part in projects that have a direct impact on society – for example, Times Foundation in India has started an initiative to invite people to take out a few hours of their time to teach underprivileged children. Within a fortnight, 55,000 people have signed up! In this group, the most enthusiastic are the youth!
I liked the campaign so much that I have started tracking it at a new blog: http://indiateach.blogspot.com/.
I would link-up with this post as well, since, this echoes similar sentiments!
Amarendra,
Thank you, so much, for recommending the site!
http://indiateach.blogspot.com/ (give the search engines another poke…)
And, congratulations on your helping support
http://timesfoundation.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3204866.cms
All this will not be accomplished during the 100 days,nor the first 1,000 days,nor perhaps during our life on this planet.
But let us begin.!!
Amen to that, Catherine !!!
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Zhang Yong’s story awakened my memory… we (I and my friends) were concerned with world’s problems much more then than most do today, when many worry just over own survival. Thus The World’s Youngest Principal gave me a good moral. Thank you for the reminder of these precious days when spiritual values inspired us much more than things we have. The aged have lots of knowledge but it burdens them with the comprehension of having no power for the application of theory to practice. The youth have the faith that gifts them everything that is needed for blossom out and nourish.
While reading your post,I sensed myself young again. Thank you dear amzolt. The world will be saved not by our libraries, but the faith of the youth. Story of The World’s Youngest Principal teaches to listen and so hear the heaven but not personal memories.
I greatly enjoy your posts.Thank you once again.
Tomas,
Got you on Xanga for my reply to this post. Must say here, though, that I fully agree with your position!