UGANDAN TEEN SAYS ALL PEOPLE ARE FAMILY

"I just want to try and do something good for the world. That's why I take part in projects, 'cause it makes me feel like I have a purpose in life," said Philip Mpagi, 18, of Kampala, Uganda.

For four years, Philip has been a part of iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network. The program connects students and teachers around the world.

Philip found out about iEARN through his older brother. He has contributed to several projects, including a campaign to end hunger and to Global Arts, a project in which children create and exchange artwork. He hopes to do a project on children with AIDS -- "kids are suffering, not only because of AIDS but because of abandonment," he said.

Philip recently talked with Y-Press about his experiences with iEARN.

"iEARN is an organization that brings together people from all walks of life, all places, all situations.

"Initially I thought a lot of countries were sort of cold towards the world. . . . But during conferences, you get to meet a lot of different people, and you learn that what you conceive of them may not actually be true.

"For instance, in the last conference we had in Cape Town (South Africa), the groups from Israel and Palestine were very close, unlike their two warring countries. So that sort of showed me that the differences are seen on a larger scale. However, on the smaller scale, the people do not have these differences.

"So iEARN has made me look at the world as just one big family, just with a few differences within that family. However, those differences can be scratched out if only given a chance.

". . . I've been with the original iEARN for fighting hunger. I've been working on that project for the past two and a half years now. I feel very strongly about the project as a whole 'cause there are a lot of people out there who are lacking. What we're trying to sort of get out to people is that hunger and poverty are a serious problem, and people don't seem to realize that it's a serious problem.

"The Global Arts project sort of made me realize that there are a lot of interesting people out there with more different experiences. It gave me a chance to experience a lot of different cultures, lots of different personalities, and it made me appreciate the world a little better.

". . . iEARN has helped me commit my life (to being) more open-minded, more free and more focused on life than on material things.

"I've met uncountable friends, who in some cases turn out to be the best friends I've had over a number of years. These are friends that are very close to me, and people I can count on even in times to come. So for my goal of friendship, I have achieved what I had set out to achieve.

"Since September 11th, I think iEARN has tried to expand the idea of friendship. For instance, when you look at the home page of iEARN, it turns out most of the stories about September 11th are about kids understanding, coexistence.

"What iEARN has mainly tried to do is sort of give (us) the ball for this year's conference. It's mainly geared at making people sort of one, to feel a sense of togetherness, to feel a sense of unity, to encourage and nurture compassion and understanding.

". . . Every living person I see, I see them as sort of a potential little friendship. I look at them as a person and not judge. Color I do not judge. Race I do not judge. Social status, I try not to do that but because I'm a human being I make mistakes. I look at them all equally, treat them the same.

". . . In 10 years, I see iEARN as being sort of like a mini U.N. It will be a big thing. It will be a worldwide thing on the Internet. It will be something on everybody's list. . . . It will be a driving force for the future."

REPORTERS: Caroline Maxwell, 13; Natalie Szempruch, 12.