Growing up in the 1960's was a time of national turmoil in the United States. The nation was being torn apart by the threat of nuclear missiles pointing at our front doors, civil rights protests and riots and a war in Vietnam that was shredding the social fabric of the American way of life. What emerged and endured was not the violence and destruction in the cities nor the hatred that was perpetrated by anti-everything speeches but messages from the other side of the room. This was a different way to bring about positive changes and was far more effective and perpetual.
The most interesting point to consider is that their messages were not necessarily voluminous but simple messages, easily remembered and sticky. Sticky in that it has the ability to be easily remembered and quotable. Martin Luther King Jr.’s simple message of equality for all, crescendoed in his “I have a dream” speech in Washington D.C. and has continued to inspire millions over the decades. John Lennon’s message “Give peace a chance” was simple and is as potent today as it was over 45 years ago. Nancy Reagan’s anti-drug campaign simply shared “Just say no” and was instrumental in turning the tide against the tsunami of drug abuse. The messages have become more ubiquitous and far reaching than the individuals themselves. Their powerful words have touched more lives than these individuals could ever personally meet. And this is something that inspires me to share our message.
Haz lo Correcto-Do the Right Thing
The Movement
Changes for New Hope in the Peruvian Andes has helped hundreds of children over the years. We have a simple message “Haz lo Correcto-Do the right thing”. Simple, inspiring and powerful. It is deliberately ambiguous to be able to cause a positive seed to be planted in each individual. Each person knows what they should be doing and the message encourages them to do it. Initially introduced to the children of our project to develop their attitudes and thinking toward positive living with great success, we shared it with the mayor of Huaraz who supported a citywide campaign promoting this message which reportedly made positive changes throughout the community. One person, one simple message has been proven time and time again to be able to create an inspired shift in people's thinking beyond measure.
The messages were spoken by courageous people who were not afraid of criticism or contrarian rebuttals. John Lennon’s “Give peace a chance” rattled the cage of the warmongers’ profiteering during the Vietnam war and even today. Martin Luther King Jr. took his racial equality campaign directly through the deep south of the United States where he inevitably and predictably would draw severe resistance. They were not intimidated by the resistance that they encountered.
So few are willing to take a stand for what they believe in, opting rather to get along by going along. But those who do, change entire societies, whole generations of people and colors the way we now see the world and life. Perhaps their forum was small, virtually unknown, their numbers of supporters a mere handful initially, but the message of hope, peace, equality and change was the ray of light into the darkness which was desperately needed at the time. Their light shines to this day, to a grateful people who are enlightened by the simple messages that they have left behind long after they have passed on. Today, we share a message of equally urgent and valuable. Haz lo correcto, do the right thing.
It’s Our Turn, It’s Our Time
I would now like to invite and encourage you to join us in sharing our message, “Do the Right Thing” which has meant so much to the children here in the Peruvian Andes and the community of Huaraz. We have an advantage today that the great messages that have gone out to the world in generations past did not have, the internet. We can share this message via social networks which has the ability to spread across the world in minutes. And the cost is zero. We have already seen the effectiveness of this message on a small scale way up here in the Peruvian Andes. Imagine what can happen, in very positive ways, if each of us shared this message across the globe from wherever you are. Imagine the positive effect it will have in every village and community where the message will take root. And you can be a part of making that happen. “Do the Right Thing”.
On a remote mountainside in an area called Secsapampa here in Peru, there is a small community center where we teach the children of our project. On the wall I wrote the words, “Las palabras son poderosas, palabras son poder” which translated means, “Words are powerful, words are power.”
--- Jim Killon
It is free to share this message with your friends across the globe of course and we enthusiastically encourage you to do so. However, if you would like to show your solidarity with our message and this movement, we would like to send you an orange wristband with the message “Haz lo Correcto” which means, Do the right thing, in Spanish, because we are in Peru. We simply ask for a donation of $5 (or more) which can be made right through our website by clicking the donate button. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery. Donations will be used to further our work here at Changes for New Hope for the benefit of the children of our project and share the message. Thank you kindly for your support.