"you can, you should, and you will, if you find the will to start!"
these are young people who are working hard at home, in their schools, with their friends in groups through churches and other nonprofits and emergency organizations, and who are on the move year after year, helping others in need --
using their talents and skills and working cooperatively with people of all ages!
we admire them !
They are selected not because of what they are involved in, nor how many activities they participate in,
nor how much they contribute to established, impressive, projects.
and NO, they didn't campaign to be selected.
They were nominated and chosen.
Young Humanitarians are selected because someone somewhere noticed
that they characteristically support others, sit with the kid who doesn't have a friend,
participate in group projects - do not "bad-mouth" others,
initiate individual, supportive actions of their own without being asked to do so.
they never, ever, say "I'm bored".
They can be relied on to do small things, without complaining.
little things often barely observable or acknowledged, things that are helpful things that aren't necessarily fun. They carry in the groceries. they tend to do them without being asked (most of the time) with the obvious kindness, care, and "great love" that Saint Teresa referred to when she said, - -
"We can do no great things; only small things with great love".
(it's a qualitative thing.) --sometimes, they even say "How can I help?"
we're certain these qualities are consistently present and solid because little guys --
others who are in some ways vulnerable -- older folks, kids new to a group, animals,
children or adults with special needs, tend to trust them,
and are drawn to these young people again and again, and again.
and are met with patience and kindness and care. and often with humor.
these are young people who are working hard at home, in their schools, with their friends in groups through churches and other nonprofits and emergency organizations, and who are on the move year after year, helping others in need --
using their talents and skills and working cooperatively with people of all ages!
we admire them !
They are selected not because of what they are involved in, nor how many activities they participate in,
nor how much they contribute to established, impressive, projects.
and NO, they didn't campaign to be selected.
They were nominated and chosen.
Young Humanitarians are selected because someone somewhere noticed
that they characteristically support others, sit with the kid who doesn't have a friend,
participate in group projects - do not "bad-mouth" others,
initiate individual, supportive actions of their own without being asked to do so.
they never, ever, say "I'm bored".
They can be relied on to do small things, without complaining.
little things often barely observable or acknowledged, things that are helpful things that aren't necessarily fun. They carry in the groceries. they tend to do them without being asked (most of the time) with the obvious kindness, care, and "great love" that Saint Teresa referred to when she said, - -
"We can do no great things; only small things with great love".
(it's a qualitative thing.) --sometimes, they even say "How can I help?"
we're certain these qualities are consistently present and solid because little guys --
others who are in some ways vulnerable -- older folks, kids new to a group, animals,
children or adults with special needs, tend to trust them,
and are drawn to these young people again and again, and again.
and are met with patience and kindness and care. and often with humor.
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A Board Game during the Florida hurricane - that reflected their global thinking????!!!
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Little friend and Brandon.
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Cross border relief on the way for Tennessee flood victims.
Leading IMPRINT Retreats together, . "BrEmily" are a wonderful team for over seven years.
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IMPRINT Retreat activities for teens.
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North Carolina Cherokee Nation Assistance-Cross Border Disaster Relief-
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repairing, restoring homes in impoverished area of Pahokee, Florida.
Community Teen Assistance in Recovery Project, UMCPB.
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Brandon Bergkamp: Senior, FAU, Boca Raton, Florida, US
Academic Excellence, Science Ed. Major, Artist, Street Artist, Leader in multiple US relief/recovery/post-disaster missions including Tennessee floods, Cherokee First Nation, Pahokee impoverished community teams, Leadership/Teaching w/children/youth UMCPB, summers: leader, Palm Beach County Youth Program. Brandon is organized and absolutely dependable in his many responsibilities, and deeply trusted by children and youth with whom he works. He is highly accepting, innovative and sensitive to their individual issues, developmental levels, personalities, learning styles, and emotional needs. He is also very funny, always has a one-liner by which to put others at ease.
Brandon is an intuitive, natural teacher who can be trusted to work independently and lead thoughtfully and wisely. He is experienced, consistently considerate with the kids and staff he works with, especially effective with those with special needs, able to grasp their uniqueness and create helpful learning strategies for them. We are proud of his many, many years of service.
On December 17, Brandon married his longtime (7 years!) love, Emily, in a marvelous outdoor wedding in the awesome Riverbend park. Several days later, the couple adopted their first pet, a gorgeous young Amsterdam Shepherd shelter dog they named Peridot! Brandon is finishing his Senior year at Florida Atlantic University and already Substitute Teaching. Wishing them happiness!
Academic Excellence, Science Ed. Major, Artist, Street Artist, Leader in multiple US relief/recovery/post-disaster missions including Tennessee floods, Cherokee First Nation, Pahokee impoverished community teams, Leadership/Teaching w/children/youth UMCPB, summers: leader, Palm Beach County Youth Program. Brandon is organized and absolutely dependable in his many responsibilities, and deeply trusted by children and youth with whom he works. He is highly accepting, innovative and sensitive to their individual issues, developmental levels, personalities, learning styles, and emotional needs. He is also very funny, always has a one-liner by which to put others at ease.
Brandon is an intuitive, natural teacher who can be trusted to work independently and lead thoughtfully and wisely. He is experienced, consistently considerate with the kids and staff he works with, especially effective with those with special needs, able to grasp their uniqueness and create helpful learning strategies for them. We are proud of his many, many years of service.
On December 17, Brandon married his longtime (7 years!) love, Emily, in a marvelous outdoor wedding in the awesome Riverbend park. Several days later, the couple adopted their first pet, a gorgeous young Amsterdam Shepherd shelter dog they named Peridot! Brandon is finishing his Senior year at Florida Atlantic University and already Substitute Teaching. Wishing them happiness!
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Emily Bergkamp, FAU, Boca Raton FL, US: Emily is a Certified Dog Trainer in Florida and a well-informed Animal Rights Enthusiast - formerly an Animal Technician, now working with animals for the County. On Decementer 17, 2016, she married her childhood love (of seven years!), Brandon Bergkamp, who shares her passion for working with children and youth, and animals, especially those at risk. Their first significant acquisition was a shelter dog, a young Amsterdam Shepherd they named Peridot.
Emily has been a multi-year participant in relief/recovery/post-disaster missions to Tennessee floods, Cherokee Nation, the Pahokee impoverished community. She has participated for many years in UMCPB relief activities, and in HS was part of an Award-winning singing group. She is relied on for her sweet uplifting spirit, generosity, great people skills, endless positivity and encouragement!! She is a compelling, kind leader of others, highly experienced and effective with children, and with birds, fish, dogs and cats, and any other animals she can get her hands on. She shares wealth her wealth of knowledge and expertise, including her skills as a Certified Therapy Dog Trainer. She is incredibly thoughtful and patient - hardworking, and cheerful even with with humans!! We appreciate Emily's consistently sweet caring spirit and diligence in the service of others. Brandon and Emily, Bremily for short, together for over seven years, were married just before Christmas 2016 . . somewhere in the beautiful Floruda woods . . ???!!! Congratulations!!
Emily has been a multi-year participant in relief/recovery/post-disaster missions to Tennessee floods, Cherokee Nation, the Pahokee impoverished community. She has participated for many years in UMCPB relief activities, and in HS was part of an Award-winning singing group. She is relied on for her sweet uplifting spirit, generosity, great people skills, endless positivity and encouragement!! She is a compelling, kind leader of others, highly experienced and effective with children, and with birds, fish, dogs and cats, and any other animals she can get her hands on. She shares wealth her wealth of knowledge and expertise, including her skills as a Certified Therapy Dog Trainer. She is incredibly thoughtful and patient - hardworking, and cheerful even with with humans!! We appreciate Emily's consistently sweet caring spirit and diligence in the service of others. Brandon and Emily, Bremily for short, together for over seven years, were married just before Christmas 2016 . . somewhere in the beautiful Floruda woods . . ???!!! Congratulations!!
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Val Yarde: Eighth Grader, Secondary School, St. Lucia Island, Caribbean
Val is a lovely eighth grader attending Secondary School on St. Lucia Island, Caribbean, where she is known for her kindness and musicianship as a gifted flutist. She is being reared by her single mother, Lisa, who tells us Val is a great supporter of her the work Lisa is doing establishing a domestic violence support program for women on St. Lucia. Val is an excellent student, and continues to lead her class in Math, Social Studies, and Integrated Sciences. She recently passed the Red Cross Exams. Currently the youngest of our "Young Humanitarians", we are truly impressed with her attitude, caring for people and animals, the faithful support she gives her mother, steady academic progress, musical accomplishments and goals! Val loves animals of all kinds, dreams of obtaining an academic scholarship toward her goal of opening an Animal Refuge/Shelter for abandoned animals in the future.. YES!! that is a REAL, LIVE, tropical butterfly perched in her hair . . . !! September, 2017 - Val and her family miraculously survived Hurricane Irma - in fact, they had sunny skies!!! |
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Edgar Ntensibe, Senior, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Edgar completed his Community Psychology degree at the revered Makerere University, third oldest Uni in Africa, home of generations of world-renowned graduates. Reared by a single Mother, he has been a gifted, faithful student, a star Cricketeer and DJ, and a Leader at Reach a Hand Uganda, We are extremely proud of Edgar and his vision for others! A real people person, he is terrific at rallying folks for causes he believes in. Not long ago, Edgar made public his serious struggle with substance use. We love him, and we fully support his recovery, his courageous path and the great gains he is making! the following was writtten thoughtfully by Edgar himself: “Life is so full of good. We just have to look forward to it, daily!” My ambition, from my early childhood days, has been to see other people happy - and I have set out to make that happen through active participation with a number of causes including Reach A Hand Uganda, where I work for (Adolescent) Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights. I am a former substance abuser/addict, and my interaction with alcohol for 14 years of my life changed my perception as to how young people should live. I've created my own personal social media drive, Special Minds Initiative, to get accurate dependable information to fellow young people around the world in order to help prevent them from using drugs, Community Psychology is my major and big love. I am a DJ (spin the decks). I read a lot, watch a lot of movies, love making friends, and love cooking. ”I just can’t wait to get out there and be a part of transforming this world! ”… Ntensibe Edgar Michael, 9.15.2016 UPDATE 10.17 from Edgar's Facebook: He is a bit busy!!
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Riley Bergkamp is a Florida State University sophomore -
He is always making new friends, studying guitar, coming home when he can, making plans, making more plans . . . always making plans. . . traveling. Riley just returned from a Global Mental Health Conference held in Ireland! Pictured here a few years ago (left) with one of his infant friends, and (right) filming at Jupiter Lighthouse, Florida. Riley is already an avid photographer who loves to travel - He excels at friendships, travel, academic excellence, has produced award winning Art and photography - including photos created on a trip with National Geographic in Costa Rico, and a stint of independent photography in Washington, D.C. For many years, he has actively participated in relief/recovery post-disaster missions, such as those to Tennessee for flood assistance and recovery, repair and recovery projects for the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina, and numerous other emergency response projects. Riley never missed a Pahokee recovery project, and fully participates in Leadership/Teaching children/youth events @ UMCPB. He has unique ability to form longstanding friendships across generations and countries. In particular, the littlest children are drawn to his kindness, caring, and his availability to engage and interest them. Everyone seems to appreciate - and an awful lot of people miss -- Riley -- as he moves from place to place in his travels and studies. 
Riley's award winning Public Health Poster
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Technical Assistance.
Photography, Riley Bergkamp
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