“Do I really believe that we can heal this world that is riddled with war and genocide even today?  And do I really think that we can heal our children, the same children who can enter their schools with guns and hatred and shoot down their classmates, like they did at Columbine?  Or children who can beat a defenseless toddler to death, like the tragic story of Jamie Bulger?  Of course I do or I wouldn’t be here tonight.”

Michael Jackson

Oxford Address

2000

I WISH THE WORLD COULD KNOW THE REAL MICHAEL.  MICHAEL ALWAYS SAID THAT IF YOU TALKED ABOUT THE GOOD YOU DID IN THE WORLD, YOU CANCELLED THE BENEFICENCE OF THE GIFT, SO HE WAS VERY PRIVATE ABOUT HIS HUMANITARIAN WORK.

NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW HOW MUCH HE DID FOR THIS PLANET AND FOR THE CHILDREN.  THE WORLD WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT LOST BECAUSE THEY TOOK MICHAEL FROM HIS WORK AND THAT CHEATED NOT JUST HIM OF HIS FUTURE, BUT IT CHEATED ALL OF US.

DAVID NORDAHL

I have thought a great deal about these two statements.  When I get overwhelmed with the world’s needs, I remember Michael’s words, “OF COURSE I DO!”  Passionately believing in all efforts to PAY MICHAEL FORWARD, I return to David Nordahl’s words.  My heart understands Michael’s belief in giving expecting nothing in return.  My heart aches to shout out to the world telling everything I have learned about Michael’s creative and humanitarian life.  I wrestle with this knowledge.  Not only do I feel a fire in my belly when it comes to erasing media-myth-making cruelty and lies…I also know with every fiber of my being, that Michael provides inspiration for millions whose lives have changed after knowing him, and who are stepping up with efforts to continue his humanitarian works.  And so I say, “Please forgive me, Michael.  But, to educate the world, I must share all that I have learned…all that YOU have done.  I do it out of love…love for YOU and love for humanity.  I pray you understand.  I love you with all my heart.”

And so, Dear Friends, today I share two of the massive number of stories of Michael Jackson’s efforts to heal the world one child at a time.

“When Michael visited the orphanage St. Ecatarina before his HIS tory concert in Bucharest, we were the only reporters who were allowed to follow him.  Michael was distressed.  He told me: ‘There are thousands of children in orphanages in Romania.  Most of them have lost their parents, but some were rejected from their families.’  Michael sat on the floor with dozens of kids around him.  He was very relaxed and smiled a lot.  The children between two and four years curiously observed him at first, but when Michael started to put together some Lego bricks, they quickly joined in the game.  Michael did not have any fear of contact, although some of the children had AIDS.  He gently picked up a baby who had been abandoned on the doorsteps of the institute only days earlier.  A little girl called Maria started to put candy into his mouth, which was a very moving moment.  These children had never known the warmth of a home, nobody wanted them.  Their eyes were sad and fearful.  For one day, Michael brought a bit of sunshine into their lives.  During his visit, the whole orphanage was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, contrary to the usual sadness.  He distributed gifts, flowers, toys and played with the children for hours.  A staff member said to me: ‘I have never seen the children that happy.  For them it was like Christmas!’  Michael donated a considerable sum to the director of the institute in the name of HEAL THE WORLD FOUNDATION, which he founded to help children. It was obvious that Michael did not do this for PR purposes but from his heart, as there were no journalists allowed;  he only made an exception for BRAVO.  In the evening, Michael went sightseeing in Bucharest and did a tour of the majestic palace, where he also attended a traditional show in the great hall and gave a speech about his concern for children around the world.  ‘CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE!  THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE HAVE.  MY GREATEST WISH IS THAT POLITICIANS THOUGHT MORE BEFORE SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO WAR’  Other superstars lie in their whirlpools, drink champagne and enjoy their life while Michael spent his time and energy on helping children.  And whenever he did, you could tell that he did it from his heart!” Alex Gernandt, Germanyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCDH_JMqb9M

BELA FARKAS:  “WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ME?”

Hungarian Magazine, “Story,” published a surprising article about Bela Farkas 20 years ago.  The story prompted by a happy occasion:  Bela recently became a father.  The young man on the picture is Bela, the same little boy whom Michael met in a children’s hospital in Budapest in 1994.  He never gave an interview before…this was his first conversation with journalists in 20 years.  Bela was born with a serious anomaly:  an underdeveloped heptic lobe, a life-threatening condition that required a liver transplant.  Such surgeries were not performed in Hungary at the time, and were very expensive abroad.  Bela’s parents abandoned him at birth, so he had no hope to get the money. When Michael visited the hospital, he asked doctors why the boy was so thin and yellow in the face and was explained Bela’s condition.  Michael immediately said that he would pay for the surgery.  It was a rare occasion when Michael’s charitable act received publicity and media coverage.  Michael himself recounted Bela’s story in a documentary:  “Michael Jackson The Private Home Movies,” eight years later.  What Michael didn’t mention in the film was that he not only found a donor for the boy and paid for the surgery, but also continued paying for Bela’s treatment for the next 10 years.  “I don’t even like to think about it,”  says Bela.  “The treatment cost $15,000 a year.  Michael spent 50,000,000 forints on me…just because he happened to meet me in the hospital.”  Shortly after his surgery, Bela was adopted, so he grew up with loving parents eventually. When Michael returned to Hungary, he met with Bela again.  The boy then said to him, “You are like my dad.  Thanks to you, I was born for the second time.”  Michael laughed and answered, “Then, you are my son.”  They stayed in touch until Michael’s death.  Michael sent Bela cards, birthday and Christmas gifts and Bela answered with drawings and photos.  When Michael passed away, Bela cried as if he had lost his dad.  Bela is 24 now and in February 2014, he became a father of a healthy newborn girl.  He says the doctors predicted he would not live past his 18th birthday, and here he is at 24, still doing well.  He will always be very grateful to Michael.  “If I could,”  admits Bela, “I would ask him…of all the children in that hospital, why did you choose me?”  MJJJusticeProjecthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyb0_Jglrj0

“Of course I do!”  HEALING THE WORLD, ONE CHILD AT A TIME.  Here are just two stories out of the enormous efforts Michael made on behalf of children and the world.  Knowing this, I feel both inspired and a little small.  What can I do that could make a real difference.  When my doubt begins to seep into my mind, I remember Michael’s determination.  When I feel small, I remember he told us…NOTHING IS A SMALL ACT.  ALL ARE IMPORTANT.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC49th-Jf0s

Dear Michael, Forgive me for sharing your private, enormous, ever present, never-ending generosity…it was out of pure love and I want the world to know and be inspired and reaffirmed in the efforts being made.  YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION AND MY HOPE.  I DO THIS OUT OF LOVE FOR YOU…AND, TO GIVE LOVE.

Jude

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