Our pick this weekend is to give back!

 

LLD CFO Brad Wallace was fortunate enough to spend Global Dignity Day (October 20) at a school in Paciencia, a favela (slum) outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Global Dignity is a worldwide initiative organized to empower youths and adults through Dignity.  Representatives from Global Dignity have spent months teaching students and faculty about the power of treating each other and themselves with Dignity.  And, on October 20th, students, teachers, volunteers and community leaders all gathered to celebrate the positive impact this program has had on the children of Paciencia and approximately 50 other countries around the world.  The day was marked with speeches by both faculty and students, success stories shared by members of the community, a musical performance and, in true Brazilian style, a performance by Hip e Hop, a student dance group.

"Not only were the children genuinely excited to participate in Global Dignity Day, but the emotion with which both faculty and students spoke really demonstrated the power of this program" Brad said after the day was complete.  "It was easy to tell that Global Dignity has a meaningful impact on these kids, many of whom live in constant threat of violence and drugs and in conditions unimaginable to those of us fortunate to have grown up in the United States." 

Global Dignity is the brainchild of three friends and concerned global citizens who met as Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum: HRH Crown Prince Haakon (Norway), Professor Pekka Himanen (Finland) and founder of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant (United States).  For more info click here.