The desire to sleep late can be almost too much to resist at weekends. This Saturday morning, though, there was something important enough to get me up early. Yawning widely, I got out of bed and put on some old jeans and a T-shirt. After combing the house for work gloves, my dad came up with a pair my mother used for gardening and took them along.

We hopped(跳) in the car and headed into Boston. Guided by my directions, Dad was somehow-able to get us to our destination: a row of two-story houses. They were in the process of being built,mostly by volunteers like us.

After grabbing a huge leather tool belt, I met the people I would be working with. Virginia, James and Wilbur were all more than twice my age but treated me like a peer(同龄人). We got to work nailing the frames of walls. By lunch break I had hit what seemed like every tough spot in the whole house, and pried(撬起) countless bent nails. The rest of the day went by quickly as I gained efficiency with my hammer. Soon it was time to pack up.

As l was leaving, a woman came into the house. She saw the progress we'd made upstairs and started looking around the rooms. Then I realized who the woman was-her family would be living in the house. As she walked through each room, I could see her planning where furniture would go.

Even though I had only been there one short day out of weeks of construction. I felt a great sense of accomplishment. When these houses finished, six families would have nice homes.

Thanks go to Habitat for Humanity for giving me such an opportunity to make a difference in others' lives. Habitat for Humanity is an international organization. Local information can be found by visiting www: habitat. org. You are welcome to join and be part of the change you want to see in your community.

Safer Internet Activities

To help schools promote safer Internet messages to families, beyond Safer Internet Day, the Education Safeguarding Service’s Online Safety Team has worked with Kent Children’s University to produce a Safer Internet Day Challenge pack for children aged 5 to 14.

This pack contains 10 key challenge activity ideas, as well as useful resources for children, schools and families to access. The Challenge will run until 31 June so there is plenty of time to get involved.

The Safer Internet Day Challenge starts with schools and families today and you can find the resources here. So why not send the activities home to your parents or caregivers so families can get involved?

Young people who are part of Kent Children’s University can earn a varying number of Learning Credits for each activity completed outside normal school time.

For more information about Education Safeguarding, please visit the Education Safeguarding Service website.

If your school would be interested in finding out more about Kent Children’s University (either the school or family models or both), please email kcu@theeducationpeople.org. For more information, please visit the Kent Children’s University website.

We encourage teachers and staff working with children and young people aged 3 to 18 in educational settings to share their Safer Internet Day stories, displays or activities on the Safer Internet Day website! Don’t forget to tag@UK_SIC and @TheEdPeople into any posts you share.

Are you looking for teen volunteer opportunities that provide a rewarding experience for high school students to be completely involved in new cultures while giving back to communities around the world? Whether you’re looking for volunteer opportunities for high school students, mission trips for teens, or teen summer service trips, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) enables teen volunteers to give back on meaningful community development and conservation projects in destinations like Bali, Costa Rica, Portugal and more.

Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Bali

IVHQ’s Sea Turtle Conservation project is on the small but breathtaking island of Nusa Penida off the southeastern coast of Bali. Volunteers will gain experience in turtle care and marine conservation while helping to increase the population of these incredible creatures in Indonesia.

Animal Care Volunteer Project in Costa Rica

IVHQ’s Animal Care project sets volunteers up to assist at veterinary clinics (兽医诊所) and animal welfare programs that aim to re-home abandoned or stray (流浪的) animals. Volunteers gain experience caring for animals while helping to provide them with medical treatment, companionship and playtime so they are ready to find their forever homes.

Environmental Scuba Diving Volunteer Project in Portugal

IVHQ’s Environmental Scuba Diving project is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to assist with marine conservation efforts in Portugal. Volunteers gain scuba and environmental protection experience while learning about the challenges marine ecosystems face and what can be done to help overcome them.