More than 700 Gray-New Gloucester students filed into the middle school gymnasium first thing last Monday morning to listen to humanitarian worker Chris Morrison, of Care Highway, talk about the needs of the poor overseas, share his personal experiences with those people, and encourage students to get involved.

“I wish it was easier to get involved and give it your all,” said senior Liza Sherlock, who waited to speak with Morrison after the presentation about ways she could help.

Sherlock and other students were impressed by the opportunities to help those in need in countries like Kenya, Serbia and Mexico, and moved by the apparent desperation of some of the people who live in those countries. Morrison and other aid workers have worked to bring medicine and education to the poorest of the poor through Care Highway since its founding in 1997.

A slideshow of photographs taken during the various trips showed Care Highway volunteers working with children and adults, some of whom are infected with AIDS-related opportunistic infections. A quote belonging to Mother Theresa was displayed on the projector between photos, reading “If you cannot feed 100 people, feed just one.”

Morrison took questions from the audience about his work overseas, and one student asked how Care Highway decides which projects to take on, with all the suffering in the world. Morrison responded that they look for the greatest need. Some examples of relief his organization has provided over the past 10 years were the transportation of medical supplies to needy families in war-torn Bosnia, and providing food and other goods to a homeless shelter for children in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

“It’s about saying ‘What’s happening to you? How can I help you stand up?'” said Morrison.

Care Highway believes that – and Morrison tried to get the message across to students – that every little bit helps. For some students, like National Honor Society members, Monday’s presentation was the second time they had heard Morrison speak. But they said that it struck a chord, even the second time around.

“It’s a really moving speech…even after seeing it the second time. It makes you want to go and help more,” said senior Alyssa Kenney.

Morrison spoke of opportunities for graduating seniors to join Care Highway on trips overseas, either after high school for those students who have not made plans to go to college yet, and for college-bound seniors who want to volunteer during the summer between high school and college. Morrison answered questions from those interested, one of whom is college-bound senior Liz Hanhel.

“It was really inspiring. It makes you think about what else in the world is going on,” said Liz Hahnel.

Morrison told seniors that sometime it is a challenge to maintain a personal life and goals while helping out others in need. But it is one he is up for, and he implored the audience to adopt the same attitude.

“Everyone has their own problems but we should take a moment out of our day to consider others,” said Morrison.

More than 700 Gray-New Gloucester students filed into the middle school gymnasium first thing last Monday morning to listen to humanitarian worker Chris Morrison, of Care Highway, talk about the needs of the poor overseas, share his personal experiences with those people, and encourage students to get involved.

“I wish it was easier to get involved and give it your all,” said senior Liza Sherlock, who waited to speak with Morrison after the presentation about ways she could help.

Sherlock and other students were impressed by the opportunities to help those in need in countries like Kenya, Serbia and Mexico, and moved by the apparent desperation of some of the people who live in those countries. Morrison and other aid workers have worked to bring medicine and education to the poorest of the poor through Care Highway since its founding in 1997.

A slideshow of photographs taken during the various trips showed Care Highway volunteers working with children and adults, some of whom are infected with AIDS-related opportunistic infections. A quote belonging to Mother Theresa was displayed on the projector between photos, reading “If you cannot feed 100 people, feed just one.”

Morrison took questions from the audience about his work overseas, and one student asked how Care Highway decides which projects to take on, with all the suffering in the world. Morrison responded that they look for the greatest need. Some examples of relief his organization has provided over the past 10 years were the transportation of medical supplies to needy families in war-torn Bosnia, and providing food and other goods to a homeless shelter for children in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

“It’s about saying ‘What’s happening to you? How can I help you stand up?'” said Morrison.

Care Highway believes that – and Morrison tried to get the message across to students – that every little bit helps. For some students, like National Honor Society members, Monday’s presentation was the second time they had heard Morrison speak. But they said that it struck a chord, even the second time around.

“It’s a really moving speech…even after seeing it the second time. It makes you want to go and help more,” said senior Alyssa Kenney.

Morrison spoke of opportunities for graduating seniors to join Care Highway on trips overseas, either after high school for those students who have not made plans to go to college yet, and for college-bound seniors who want to volunteer during the summer between high school and college. Morrison answered questions from those interested, one of whom is college-bound senior Liz Hanhel.

“It was really inspiring. It makes you think about what else in the world is going on,” said Liz Hahnel.

Morrison told seniors that sometime it is a challenge to maintain a personal life and goals while helping out others in need. But it is one he is up for, and he implored the audience to adopt the same attitude.

“Everyone has their own problems but we should take a moment out of our day to consider others,” said Morrison.