Dr Jeanette Pinto –
“IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM FIX IT,” that’s how 11 years old humanitarian Orien Jean sums up his work. He is a Haiti-American child, lives in his home in Mansfield, Texas with his parents McDonald and Kherr. He has a younger sibling named Crown. He is a model for all children to emulate, and has emerged as the Kid of the Year-2021.
In a world that is disturbed and divided by divisive issues, there is a positive note in the air with the next generation. Orion Jean is TIME magazine’s child champion. Congratulations to him! He sees himself as an ambassador for kindness – jumping in wherever he sees a need. For the USA – Thanksgiving 2020, he organized a donation of and delivery of 100,000 meals to food-insecure families across the country. Over the summer break he got 50,000 books to give kids to their homes.
These numbers are mind boggling…how did he achieve this astounding feat? In response he replied, “I did not do it alone all by myself, it took a whole team behind me, my parents, my family all of the generous corporate donors and organizations we partnered with. They are all donating because they feel compelled to help those in their community.”
It appears superhuman for a young growing child to have achieved such a herculean task. What motivated him to do this act? When asked, Orion Jean tells us that he loves to listen to the world news because he gets to find out what’s going on in the world. The pandemic brought to the forefront a lot of images of people who were suffering in different ways, like people losing jobs, home, migrants, no access to food and the like. He wanted to help. But how? His teacher suggested he enter a speech contest and he thought if he wins the prize money, he could start a “Kindness initiative” to help all these people.
The February 28/March 7 issue of TIME magazine features Angeline Jolie’s interview with the ‘Kid of the year’, none other than Orien Jean, who has arranged an unthinkable huge donation of books and meals for kids and families in need. This caught the attention of many people, who said, “We’re sure glad that he’s being recognized for this very significant contribution, and Kudos to TIME for featuring the accomplishments of kids and providing us all hope for a better future”, wrote Angeline, actor and activist.
Every year TIME chooses the “Person of the Year,” and this is a daunting endeavour they’ve been doing for nearly a century. Choosing the Kid of the Year, now in its second year, is sheer inspiration, and Orion personifies it. In his interview he relates how when he was just 9 years old, he won a student kindness contest and donated his $500 prize to a local children’s hospital. Most children his age would have had a long wish list of toys, clothes and goodies they would want for themselves. But not Orion, he’s collected an unthinkable number of books, meals, and toys for those in need. Orion also launches big efforts to fix problems like food insecurity and lack of access to education. He inspires others to join him, bringing local communities and governments together to reach out to the neediest. What a beautiful noble thought!
‘Kid of the Year’ began with a nationwide search. The year saw thousands of submissions, in which parents, teachers, and friends can nominate a kid age 8 to 16 years who is helping to make the world a better place. In partnership with Nickelodeon, the results are broadcast on a special television show. They also look across social media and school districts, at actions big and small by kids from around the country.
TIME Kids editor in chief Andrea Delbanco says, “We looked for the attributes we want to see more of in the world—determination, passion, kindness, bravery, and innovation.” There’s also a team supporting the project like Senior Editor Emma Barker who edited the stories in the package, and a group of others like Mike Beck, Maria Perez-Brown, Rebecca Gitlitz, Ian Orefice, and Jeff Smith, who produced the one-hour TV special highlighting the finalists.
Cheers to a few of the young finalists involved in making the world a better place – Ethan Hill 11, distributes donations to homeless members of his community with the help of local police officers. Samirah Horton,13, is an anti-bullying advocate, Cash Daniels 12, is an environmental activist. Gaurangi Gupta 11, has a book aid programme to encourage reading, Mina Fedor, 13, organised a rally to raise awareness about Anti-Asian hate.
“Kindness is a choice, and while we can’t force others to be kind, we can be kind ourselves and hope to inspire other people,” Orion tells Angelina Jolie, and adds, “I want others to know that they can start today.” He is a smart youngster, energetic, caring, loves to reads and feels the world will be a much better place if people are kinder. He started a series of events called the Race to Kindness. He asked for donations from people in the community and surpassed his goal. He’s already the author of “A Kid’s Book about Leadership,” in which he shared his message of kindness.
Parents play a key role in raising and moulding the minds of their children. The first and basic one is to nurture – offering their children love, acceptance, appreciation, encouragement and guidance. This along with protection gives children their personalities and identities. They also mature physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially. The second is to structure. In this role parents must give direction, impose rules, use discipline, set limits, establish and follow through with consequences. They must hold their children accountable for irresponsible behaviour and teach values. It is important to find a balance between how and when to nurture and when to provide structure. Any change has to begin with the family. To thrive and develop in a healthy way, children need parents to carry out both these roles. A good balance between these roles results in healthy happy human beings.
Finally focus on values of humanity, it will slowly change the social structure. It all begins at home in childhood. Parents can help children make good choices by modelling. Perhaps suggest to invite underprivileged children to their birthday parties. Why not invite a disabled orphan child to the Thanksgiving meal, perhaps pack a snack for a hungry child? Teach by example. Allow for acceptance, show compassion and empathise with someone going through a tough life. Show them how to be non-judgemental, respect, all peoples, be gentle, and loving to all. This is awe inspiring. There is too much of violence, cruelty, ranting and raving in our communities today, create sensitivity in them. Our children will soon become an awesome generation reaching out and touching lives as they walk their own journey of life.
Dr. Jeanette is former Principal of Sophia College, members of Human Life Committe and a parishoner of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Chembur – Mumbai.