When Things Go Wrong

I'm very blessed in my church. I think that I can confidently say I go to the church with the absolute best group of kids in the world. We are all so different it's hard to believe, but as a general rule we also all get along quite well.
Why am I bringing this up?
Because of something that has united a lot of us recently, and to my shame I have not been as active in as I should be.
That is to say, charity.
Our charity of choice is World Vision, an organization that helps needy families from literally all over the world. They provide resources for people - farm animals that will produce milk, chickens to lay eggs, fresh water fountains - rather than just "helping them out now".
Over the past two or so years, many of the kids in our church, especially the junior-high (now mostly highschool) class - about 6-8 girls and one boy - have raised over a thousand (probably closer to two thousand if not over that much)dollars toward charity through their own donations, yard sales, bake sales, and other fund raising events. I've helped some with this, but as I said earlier, not nearly enough.
This leads me to say three things.
1. I'm immensely proud of these kids, one of whom is my sister. They are making a difference in the world. They have helped people, raised awareness, and had fun through the whole process. They are not doing this because they have to, or for a school project of any sort - they're doing it because it is WHAT they want to be doing. How amazing is that?
2. Things are wrong in the world - and most of us have so much to be thankful for. The people these donations are going to cannot simply update their blog whenever they want. They don't have the luxury of ranting online, nor the privilege of making friends all over the world like I have. They have, quite literally, nothing. That is a concept that is nearly impossible for me to grasp. It probably is for you too, seeing as you obviously at least have access to a computer - though most of you have home computers/laptops, or even your own computer.
3. There are people out there who are willing to help. It's hard to remember that sometimes, but it is true. No matter what problems you are having, someone will be there for you. I have found many wonderful people to be there for me, and most of them I would consider my best friends. Even when you don't have the wonderful honor to know the people who are there for you on a personal level, they are there. Workers in hospitals, social workers, people from halfway around the world who are willing to give their money to help your family - they are there.
So please, don't give up hope.
~Not Caroline