ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel SmarterEveryDay The History of Not Forgotten – Smarter Every Day 269
Welcome to an engaging exploration of Not Forgotten, a remarkable initiative aimed at transforming the lives of abandoned children in Peru. This article delves into the history and impact of this project, offering insights into how it all began and the progress it has made over the years.
Our journey begins in Iquitos, a unique city in Peru that is only accessible by air or water. Unfortunately, this area faces a significant challenge: a high number of abandoned children, primarily boys, who are left vulnerable due to neglect, abuse, and addiction. Statistics indicate that one in twelve children in this region are abandoned, making them susceptible to exploitation.
The story of Not Forgotten traces back to 1978 with the birth of a boy named Gene in Iquitos. Gene’s early life was marked by hardship, as he faced abandonment by his father and abuse from a stepfather. Seeking refuge, Gene found solace in local churches and eventually moved to Lima in search of a better life.
Fast forward to 2002, when Tyler Fiuque, a college student from North Carolina, visited Iquitos with a church group. Deeply moved by the plight of the children, Tyler returned home determined to make a difference. Meanwhile, Gene, who had become a police officer in Lima, was reminded of his own struggles when tasked with removing street children. This experience inspired him to volunteer at a local facility connected to the orphanage Tyler had visited.
In 2006, Tyler and his wife Allison returned to Iquitos, where they met Gene and his wife Patty. Together, they identified systemic issues within the orphanage system and envisioned a new approach centered around family care. Their collaboration laid the foundation for Not Forgotten.
In 2008, I embarked on a mission trip to Chiquián, Peru, and developed a deep affection for the country and its people. By 2010-2011, my wife Tara joined a trip to Iquitos, led by Tyler, and upon her return, we committed to supporting the orphans. This marked the beginning of our involvement with Not Forgotten.
Tyler’s vision to purchase land for the orphanage became a reality, thanks to secured funding. I, along with my friend CJ, traveled to Iquitos to assist in building infrastructure, such as a septic tank for the guard shack. Our goal was to spread awareness of Not Forgotten through the Smarter Every Day platform.
In December 2012, we participated in the Project for Awesome, a campaign where individuals create videos about their favorite nonprofits. This initiative raised significant funds for Not Forgotten and garnered support through Patreon, establishing a sustainable funding model.
Over the years, we documented the progress of Not Forgotten, witnessing the transformation of children’s lives as they were placed into nurturing homes. Families were formed, and house parents moved into individual houses, fostering a sense of security and belonging. Visitors observed a positive shift in the children’s attitudes, as they began to feel at home rather than viewing visitors as a novelty.
At the Not Forgotten facility, children have the opportunity to rediscover their childhood, build trust, and interact with others. Recognizing the need for a transition to adulthood, Gene and Patty established Alporcar, a facility where boys acquire essential life skills and integrate into society.
Not Forgotten employs a dedicated team of Peruvian staff who ensure the children receive the best possible care. Currently, 35 children reside in two homes, with plans to open a third home pending additional funding.
If you are inspired to support Not Forgotten, consider contributing through Patreon. Every donation helps make a meaningful difference in breaking the cycle of abandonment and transforming lives.
This is the story of Not Forgotten, a testament to the power of compassion and community. Thank you for joining us on this journey of hope and change. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of these children.
Research the socio-economic factors contributing to child abandonment in Peru, particularly in Iquitos. Prepare a presentation that outlines these factors and propose potential solutions or interventions. This will help you understand the broader context of Not Forgotten’s mission.
Analyze the case study of Not Forgotten, focusing on its history, challenges, and successes. Write a report discussing how the initiative has evolved over time and its impact on the community. This will deepen your understanding of the project’s development and effectiveness.
Participate in a role-playing workshop where you assume the roles of various stakeholders involved in Not Forgotten, such as Tyler, Gene, local authorities, and the children. This exercise will help you empathize with different perspectives and understand the complexities of running such an initiative.
Design a creative fundraising campaign for Not Forgotten. Develop a plan that includes social media strategies, potential partnerships, and community engagement activities. This activity will enhance your skills in marketing and fundraising while supporting a meaningful cause.
If you have volunteered or plan to volunteer with a similar organization, write a reflective essay on your experiences. Discuss what you learned about child welfare and how it relates to the mission of Not Forgotten. This reflection will help you connect personal experiences with broader social issues.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello! Hey, it’s me, Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. Every year, I like to make a video about Not Forgotten, which is a Peruvian orphanage I work with. This year is a little different. I usually make one to update you on the progress of the orphanage, but for the Project for Awesome this year, I want to explain the entire history of the effort because many of you may not have heard of Not Forgotten or don’t know the history of how this all happened. So, I thought it would be really cool to put it all in one place.
**A Brief History Of Not Forgotten**
Let’s start by understanding the problem. There’s a city in Peru called Iquitos. It is the largest city that is inaccessible by land. You can only get there via airplane or boat. For various reasons, there are many abandoned children in this area, most of whom are boys. There is abuse, neglect, and addiction. The people who are supposed to care for these children either can’t or won’t. Some statistics say that one in 12 children in this area have been abandoned, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Now, let me tell you how Not Forgotten started to address this issue and how it’s working today. Our story begins in 1978 when a young boy named Gene was born in Iquitos, Peru. Gene’s mother had already been abandoned by his father, and he escaped a difficult home life with an abusive stepfather by seeking shelter in local churches. Gene spent a lot of time on the streets and eventually made his way to Lima, Peru, in search of a better life.
Fast forward to 2002. A young college student named Tyler Fiuque went to Iquitos with a church group from North Carolina to visit an orphanage. He spent time with the kids, and when he returned home, he wanted to help them and let them know they were not forgotten. Around this time, Gene was working as a police officer in Lima, and one day he was tasked with clearing out the street boys, which didn’t sit well with him because he remembered what it was like to grow up on the streets of Iquitos. He decided to help vulnerable children, volunteering at a local area owned by the same people who ran the orphanage in Iquitos that Tyler had visited.
Eventually, Gene returned to Iquitos to help the kids there. In 2006, Tyler and his wife Allison went back to Iquitos, met with Gene and his wife Patty, and began to identify key problems within the orphanage system. They realized that the key to breaking the cycle of abandonment was to center care around the family unit and at home. Together, they started developing a plan to make this vision a reality.
In 2008, I went on a short-term mission trip to Chiquián, Peru, and fell in love with the country and its people. In 2010-2011, when my wife Tara heard about another opportunity to go to Peru, she went to Iquitos on a trip that Tyler was also part of. When she returned, she was excited and said, “We’re helping these orphans now.” I agreed, and that’s how our involvement began.
Tyler returned from that trip with a vision to purchase land for the orphanage. He secured funding and purchased the land for Not Forgotten’s first site. I started asking questions and got involved in the project. My friend CJ and I went to Iquitos to help build a septic tank for what would become the guard shack at the gate. The purpose was to send out the message of Not Forgotten to everyone who watches Smarter Every Day.
In December 2012, we submitted a video to the Project for Awesome, where people were making videos about their favorite nonprofit organizations. A lot of money was raised for Not Forgotten, and more importantly, people began supporting it on Patreon. This created a sustainable model for funding.
Over the years, we made sure to create videos about Not Forgotten, and it was amazing to see the first kids being placed into homes. Families were established, and house parents moved into individual houses, leading to a huge transformation. Visitors began to notice a shift in the children’s attitudes; instead of seeing visitors as a party, they started to feel secure in their homes.
At the Not Forgotten facility, the children can learn to be kids again, interact with others, and build trust. Gene and Patty recognized the need for a transition from childhood to adulthood, which led to the creation of Alporcar, a facility where boys are integrated into society and learn various skills.
Not Forgotten employs many dedicated Peruvian staff members who ensure the children receive the best care possible. There are currently 35 kids in the care of Not Forgotten, with two homes at each location. There is a desire to open a third home, but additional funding is needed.
If you’re interested in supporting Not Forgotten, the best way to do so is through Patreon. Any contribution can help make a difference.
That’s a brief history of Not Forgotten and why I care so much about it. I hope you enjoy this story, and I know many of you are involved as well. It’s incredible to see these kids’ lives changing and the cycle of abandonment being broken.
Thank you for listening! Links are in the video description. I’m Destin, and you’re getting Smarter Every Day. Have a good one!
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This version removes any informal language, personal anecdotes, and specific names that may not be necessary for understanding the overall message.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – The history of the Roman Empire provides valuable insights into the development of modern governance systems.
Peru – A country in South America known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, including the Inca civilization. – The ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru is a testament to the architectural prowess of the Inca Empire.
Children – Young human beings below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority. – The Industrial Revolution had a profound effect on children, as many were employed in factories under harsh conditions.
Abandonment – The act of leaving someone or something behind, often in a state of neglect. – The abandonment of rural areas during the Great Migration significantly altered the demographic landscape of American cities.
Orphanage – An institution dedicated to the care and housing of children who have lost their parents. – During the 19th century, orphanages became prevalent in urban areas to address the needs of children left parentless by war and disease.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that emerged from the African American community in New York City during the 1920s.
Care – The provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something. – The establishment of the National Health Service in the UK revolutionized public access to medical care.
Transformation – A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. – The transformation of Japan during the Meiji Restoration marked a significant shift from feudalism to a modern industrial society.
Support – Assistance or backing provided to someone or something. – The Marshall Plan provided crucial economic support to European countries recovering from World War II.
Impact – The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action on another. – The impact of the printing press on the dissemination of knowledge in the 15th century was revolutionary, leading to the spread of literacy and education.
