Laplandica

…in work and things that must be finished before the end of June, I had an enormous pile of firewood that had to be stacked to dry. My wife came upon the idea of hiring three middle school students during the annual solidarity day, when students work helping people and get a small pay that goes to needy third-world projects, and have them stack firewood. Great idea!

Picking them up at school and driving them to the challenge, all three dug into the task without let-up. Within three and a half hours, and after a lunch of traditional local dumplings, they finished the job. I was extremely impressed with their diligence and feeling of responsibility for, what really was, a man’s job.

As I mentioned how well they did and that Jokkmokk may have a future with a new and oncoming younger generation, one boy mumbled “Yea, if we stick around?”

As smaller communities are struggling with future economic problems, here were three very impressive young people who may not want to stay in Jokkmokk. The community has tremendous costs with educating them. Teachers spend a career in giving them the tools necessary to advance humanity and life. Parents have committed themselves in support and seeing that their children have the best life can offer and try to teach important lifelong values.

But, other than down-budgeting every year, Where is the committed engagement from politicians, community and local commerce with retaining these young people? When so many youth consider the alternative of leaving their home, isn’t this a terrible waste of economic resources and years of work? (Everyone talks about it, but no one does anything about it.)

Just a reflection! I really want to honor these three boys who have helped us, have worked very hard and contributed for an unselfish cause. Thank-you, guys, and good-luck with your futures!