The youngest of heroes…

“Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.” Bradley Millar

When I was a young child, I was so shy I’d hardly speak to anyone I didn’t know. I remember getting in trouble in kindergarden for not speaking or playing with any of other children in class. The teacher actually yelled at me for it (at least it sounded like yelling in my child’s mind!), which made me speak even less…

I’m not sure what I was so afraid of, I just know how I felt inside. I wanted to be invisible, I wanted to watch things from a distance but not involve myself. I wanted to hide. I had no voice. At times it really did feel like I was scared of my own shadow, cause someone might see my shadow and drag me out of my shy girl emotional hiding place.

Sure, no surprise why I felt so comforted by animals. With them I could be my present self, no need to hide or suppress my thoughts. No fear of being ridiculed or hurt, nothing but love. I’ve changed a lot since then and I’m a pretty social person now but those feelings will always be a part of me. Those feelings are what have given me my compassion for the weakest among us.

I was contacted recently by an amazing 10 year old girl named Teya from Ghana who told me a story about how she rescued a turkey. Her mom homeschools her and as part of her homeschooling she asked her mom if they could study animal rights. They wanted to practice Teya’s interviewing skills so they asked to interview me.

I was so blown away by this young girl’s maturity, intellect and bravery. She interviewed me like a seasoned pro. She’s the antithesis of the child I was. Her voice was steady and determined. I was in awe of her.

Here’s the brave story of how she voiced her compassion to save a turkey and didn’t let her age or fears hold her back.

A turkey was given to Teya’s grandparents, whom she lived with, to be killed for dinner. In Ghana, turkeys are often given as gifts. The turkey was tied to a tree in a space less than a square meter. Watching “dinner” in her backyard was too much for Teya to handle. She kept asking herself “how can I sit here and do nothing when I can do something to help?”

Teya immediately started researching turkeys and, with the support of her mother, they named him Bob. Teya first convinced her father, then her grandmother, and finally her grandfather that Bob’s lodgings should be upgraded.

Teya didn’t stop there, after Bob was placed in more comfortable surroundings she went on to argue and debate with her family over killing him. As her mom describes it, Teya launched “an eleventh hour death row campaign” that she impressively argued along “emotional, economic and humanitarian lines”! She finally convinced them to spare his life on the condition that she take total responsibility for him.

After fighting for the life of one turkey, both Teya and her mom decided to become vegetarians. Teya’s words: “I reasoned how could I own an animal and eat its kind at the same time? If you had a cat, would you eat other cats, or if you had a hamster, would you eat hamsters? And then if you’re not going to eat one animal, why not spare all?”

Because of Teya, Bob lived out the rest of his life with love and comfort.

Teya’s mom must be an amazing homeschool teacher because this girl is wise beyond her years and the world could learn a lesson or two from this 10 year old who chooses to live such a compassionate, selfless and brave life.

Teya wrote her own blog about our interview on her mom’s blog which you can read by clicking here. Teya clearly doesn’t let her age stop her from anything. As she says in her blog, saving that turkey left her with a “warm fuzzy feeling” that she had made a small contribution and that she “triumphed over that nagging voice“ in her head telling her she couldn’t make a difference because she was only 10 years old.

“You can make a difference in your own little corner of the world.” ~ Teya

Wise words Teya. Today Teya is still finding new ways to help animals in her country and is always willing to challenge others to do what’s right for all living creatures.

Teya, you are amazing and inspiring. Keep living by your values. xoxo, Liz

If you want your kids to learn about animals on your next vacation, we’re working with an amazing rescue center in Costa Rica that is perfect for children and often works with a local orphanage to teach kids about animals. Read about it by clicking here and see a sample itinerary here (more sample itineraries to come in the next few weeks!).