Designing a better world

The following is an account written by Jaden and Evan Dickinson and how God inspired them to address hatred in our community using the Design for Change process. They will present their work in Rome this November with other youth solving problems around the globe. I have abbreviated it for print in the newspaper.

At first we didn’t know what problem we wanted to take on. But, after hateful CDs were placed on cars of high school students at Sandpoint High School — that directed kids to white supremacist websites — we decided we didn’t want to see anything like this in our community, ever. So, we took action.

Two of our group members, Evan Dickinson and Breckin Nevarez talked to refugees who briefly visited First Lutheran Church and were able to hear their stories. They met a woman whose son was a doctor in the Middle East. He was a certified doctor, working in a hospital in Iraq, but sadly the hospital was bombed. He lost all his credentials and certifications to practice in the United States. He now works at a hospital, but not as a doctor. Evan and Breckin told us the stories they heard and how it impacted them. Hearing them empathize and sympathize with those who lost something they loved, and came here to America to more hardships, fueled the fire for 7B Love Project to continue our research.

An exchange student visited us last year and also talked to our group. Ratu is a Muslim, and she faced many comments, questions and sometimes hate just because of her religion. Jaden Dickinson was able to talk to her during school and was able to become fast friends with Ratu. Jaden learned from Ratu that she did face questions like “What is a Muslim doing here?”, and she also faced comments like “Go back to your country.” Ratu also told Jaden that although she faced many hurtful remarks she remained positive throughout the school year.

To solve our problem of hate and discrimination, our group researched what causes people to hate others and discriminate. We found out the reason why people begin to hate others and discriminate, is fear. As humans, we fear what we don’t understand. We also found out that children take after their parents and are greatly influenced by adults. If a parent or guardian dislikes a certain subject or person, normally the child does the same until the child reaches a certain age where they can think alone, but sometimes by then it is too late.

7B Love Project is currently in the process of putting together a workshop for kids and for parents. At our workshop we plan to present a book we wrote together about a monster who looks different from us and just wants to play but sadly, is made fun of. Also, 7B Love Project will have an expert in discrimination give a workshop for adults. All this will happen the weekend of Aug. 9-10 at First Lutheran Church. Details will follow on the church website.

We currently have an Instagram account to spread what we are doing through social media. You can find us at 7blove_project.

In addition, we selected a Bible verse to help guide us; John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We thought that this verse would help lay the foundation for what we want to stand for and represent. As we discovered more about this topic, our eyes have opened and now we see that Jesus and God would want a loving, caring world and 7B Love Project would like to help change the world into what Jesus died for and for what God had planned.

7B Love Project was chosen as an ambassador team for the United States and will attend the Design for Change Global Summit in Rome, Italy this November. Along with a total of four thousand kids around the world, we will proudly present our problem, action to solve the problem and how we shared it with the community.

We believe acceptance and love of one another is what Jesus wants for the world and we are ready to change the world and make this happen.

Lori C. Morton is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint. She can be reached at First Lutheran Church, 526 S. Olive Ave.; by phone at 208-263-2048; or online at, firstlutheransandpoint.org.