Lift the Lid – My Mother and Father

(Today’s post originally appeared on Playlist Fiction’s blog. The piece, written by my daughter, highlights the worthy cause undertaken by Lift the Lid, Inc–a global charity that seeks to bring creative expression to schools and students who struggle.)

by Amelia Kurk

Dear Lift the Lid, This program is my mother and father–it means everything to me.

When I read those words written by a girl about my age in Kenya, who lost her mother and lives apart from her father, I realized something important. Something I’d been ignoring.

Every day, as I go from AP English to Journalism to World History, reading great literature and writing story after essay after poem, I am taking for granted this enormous gift in my life.

While I often complain about a short story assignment, girls living in the poorest of poor conditions in nations like Kenya and the Philippines would love for a teacher to sit with them and show them how to tell their own stories. They are so eager for the chance to be counted as students who have a voice and a story to tell.

Sara Goff, founder and director of Lift the Lid, Inc., has seen what creative education does in the lives of poor children in struggling schools. “I believe writing instills confidence and hope and I want to share that with kids who aren’t given the chance to shine,” Sara said. 

In her late twenties, Sara walked away from a seven-year career as a fashion buyer/merchandiser in New York City to pursue her passion for writing and to somehow make a difference in the world. She began leading writing workshops for the homeless and in inner-city schools.

After moving to London with her husband, Sara accepted the opportunity to attend a writing workshop in Kenya. Once there, she fell in love with the people and was profoundly moved by a young girl selling jewelry who gave Sara a piece of jewelry as a gift. Sara began to imagine this girl’s life–one with few options and many hardships. Within a few years, Sara had dreamed up, planned, and launched Lift the Lid, Inc., whose goal is to help struggling schools to give students the gift of creativity and self-expression through writing.

My favorite part of the Lift the Lid story is that Sara’s gift through her organization began because she received a gift from a girl who couldn’t afford it but whose heart was pure and generous.

Image: Lift-the-Lid, Inc.

I’m honored to play a very small role in helping Sara spread the word about this organization. I love telling people how easy it is to make a difference in the life of one student in a difficult situation.

Here’s all it takes. Go to www.Lift-the-Lid.org, click on “How it Works” and follow the two easy steps. Pick any school you’d like to help from the list of participating schools. Give any amount you can (using PayPal or by check). And then wait for a poem written by a student encouraged by your donation.

“While we cannot guarantee that everyone will be inspired by every poem, we can guarantee that every poem is written by a child exploring his or her voice, expressing a glint of his or her soul,” Sara said. “Lift the Lid is more than an exercise in creativity; it is a place for forgotten children to be heard.”

The letter I quoted at the beginning of this post was written by a girl named Akinyi. Here she is—

She ended her letter to Lift the Lid like this:

“Please keep up your good work and remember our school.”

If you’re interested in learning more about how you could help Lift the Lid, Inc., check out the website or keep up with news on Facebook.

Amelia Kurk is a high school student in Texas. She serves as the youth journalist and spokesperson for Lift the Lid, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity that encourages writing and self-expression in schools throughout the developing world.

See how at lift-the-lid.org or find them on Facebook!