Life’s lessons, as taught by third graders

It was an invitation we simply couldn’t refuse. Andro Barrientos, a Grade 3 student at The Beacon School, had been persistently asking his mom Reggie and teacher Karen David to feature NVC in their Social Studies lesson on “Organizations and How They Can Help Solve Social Problems.”

NVC volunteer Josephine Gonzalez Ruiz spoke to the class about NVC and its projects. She set out to teach the class about how NVC operates as a charitable organization, but emerged learning a lesson or two herself:

Lesson No. 1- it is never too early to encourage young people to be socially responsible.
Last year, this class came up with a generous donation to Haiyan relief efforts by organizing their own fundraising activities, which included car washing, movie nights and a talent show. What will they come up with next?

Lesson No. 2 – Never underestimate the capabilities of children.
When asked which of the letters in NVC were most important , these were the nuggets of wisdom they imparted : “C” for Change is important because it will make things better. “V” for Volunteers is more important because without them, there will be no one making the change.