Josh Lee: “I’m more empowered now”
That was, until he read Muhammad Yunus’ book Banker to the Poor, which describes how access to even tiny loans enables people to begin moving out of the deepest poverty. “That book shattered my perspective,” says Josh. “I realized people’s socioeconomic situation keeps them from moving forward.” Yunus, who is a RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund board member, mentions RESULTS in his book, so Josh sought out his campus chapter. He joined a face-to-face meeting with his member of Congress and was hooked. “In our preparations for the meeting, I chose to talk about microcredit. I was so nervous, but the moment I talked to the congressman, I felt it in my heart. I realized that these people in RESULTS are passionately and courageously approaching their members of Congress to ask for things that are really meaningful.” For Josh, who became the UM RESULTS group leader, having the opportunity to meet with members of Congress sets RESULTS apart from other campus groups. “It’s the kind of experience only RESULTS can offer.” One of these meetings enabled fellow UM student Leo Sitruk, to play a role in the debate over health care reform. Leo travelled to Washington, DC, to attend the annual RESULTS/REF International Conference and had nine meetings with congressional offices while there. In a meeting with Representative John Conyers’ senior aide, Leo compared his experience of the health care system in France to that in the U.S. “Having lived in France most of my life, it was a big shock when I moved to the United States four years ago. The health system in the U.S. makes it hard for good doctors to think about their patients because their attention is drawn to thinking about paying bills, dealing with insurance companies, etc.” Conyers’ aide invited Leo to speak at a Judiciary Committee Hearing the next day. “I felt greatly honored to be part of it,” Leo says. Lee and Sitruk meet weekly with their campus group, which is supported by staff and experienced local activists. “I feel much more empowered now,” says Lee. “I know the value of advocacy and I’ve experienced a lot of change in my life.” To find out if there’s a campus chapter near you, or to start one at your school, visit our On Campus page. |
Josh Lee was once “just another politically apathetic person.” The University of Michigan college student admits that he felt distant from politics and that he believed “poor people just didn’t want to work hard.”