By Diana Henry - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
DEFOREST (WKOW)-- The simple act of reading to a child can leave a profound impact. It's that moment in time when you are turning pages of a book that a Madison-area woman hopes will change a life, here and across the world. It makes Lorinda Roy 'Someone You Should Know.'
Lorinda Roy has a passion for teaching.
"I love their joy," said Lorinda. "I love their laughter. I love how they love."
Lorinda has taught at Country Creek Learning Center in Deforest for 4 and a half years. Lorinda is reading some very special books to her former students.
Students donated the books, with a picture of themselves inside. The books are for children in another country. Lorinda will volunteer for a year in the Philippines as part We International. She will work in a 2 million ton garbage dump where families actually live.
"So there's a childcare center in the middle of the garbage dump where parents can drop off their children while there go scavenge for garbage and I will be working in the center and take care of the kids," said Lorinda.
The books will be her former student's connection to kids half-a-world away.
"When I get to the Philippines I am going to sit down with the children I will be working with and I will read the story to them and I will tell them this is the person who sent this book to you; they wanted to share this with you," said Lorinda.
Lorinda will take pictures of her reading the kids' books and post them online. She hopes the simple act of reading a book will change lives in the Philippines and back here at home.
"A child's world is only what their parents give them," said Lorinda. "It's only what they're surrounded by. So, just even by sharing a book is giving them the opportunity to see the world is a bigger place. We can do it together."
It takes quite a commitment to do something like this. Lorinda sold her car and all of her belongings to pay off debt and raising money to pay for her living expenses while overseas. Lorinda's journey began Thursday as she left for Manilla.
Click here to learn how you can support Lorinda and to check in on how she's doing.
