Gifts to be Grateful for
By Diane Chang
No matter how busy we get, in the midst of this spectacular free-falling economy and so many things to fret over, having a “kid” away at college always remains top-of-mind. Whenever I’m having fun, I wonder if my daughter is having fun, too. And when I’m unhappy or bored, I think, “Gee, I wish she were here.”
Such parental angst hits a crescendo on watching the TV news or scanning the headlines. Worry intensifies over what’s going to happen to this University, city, state, nation and world as the stock market plummets while the price of groceries soars. Throw in the H1N1 virus for good measure. That’s when the inner voice in me finally pipes up, echoing what my offspring assures me all the time: “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine.”
Fine. Better than fine, I’m guessing. Because most colleges and universities do their best to take care of their students, and value the privilege of educating our kids. In addition, coming to a crossroads of the Pacific like UH Mānoa brings perks that we parents—and even students—may not even be aware of, until our children have achieved that priceless, glorious goal: graduation!
The gift of diversity. Notice how President Barack Obama has picked so many minorities to serve on his Cabinet and in his administration, and seems so comfortable meeting with leaders and citizens of foreign lands? Part of that credit belongs to Hawaiʻi, where he grew up as a youth and still fondly considers his home state. President Obama continues to exude that spirit of aloha, because he just can’t help himself—diversity has become a part of who he is.
Students attending UH Mānoa are truly getting an intensive course in inclusionary living. They are operating in a multicultural global community—at a place where students from different cultures and from Asia, the Pacific and Africa are collectively the majority—that it becomes the norm. Soon nobody blinks an eye on hearing a variety of languages as they cross the campus. Daily exposure to unique cultures can lead to a lifelong embrace of international relations.
The gift of giving. What is it about the benevolence of islanders, who often go out of their way to practice generosity? Take Leven “Chuck” Wilson, who began pursuing something remarkable three years ago on his way to earning his master’s degree in the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. One of his cases involved a client who was diagnosed as bipolar, leading to her self-neglect and the deterioration of her eight-bedroom home in Kalihi. The structure had fallen into such disrepair, foreclosure proceedings were imminent. So guess what Chuck did? He decided to save the house.
Chuck met with Honolulu city officials to jump multiple hurdles, which included the non-payment of thousands of dollars in back taxes. He talked to church groups in the area, and social workers in the community. Then he took a deep breath and asked a local contractor, Nan Inc., for its assistance in totally rebuilding the house at no cost to the homeowner. Talk about a long shot. But then the construction company said yes. “As our country is faced with economic challenges, there are many who have committed to service without pay or recognition,” marvels Chuck, who now teaches full time at UH Mānoa. “Through the efforts of so many—the School of Social Work, companies, churches, social workers and agencies—we have kept this person in her home, and the house out of foreclosure without a government bailout!”
These gifts to our children are better than fine. They’re instilled with aloha.
This is the second of an ongoing column for the UH Mānoa ʻOhana by Diane Chang, director of communications in the Chancellor’s Office and mom to a UH Mānoa senior. Contact her at (808) 956-0391 or dianec@hawaii.edu.