Don-Christopher Barnes - Honoring a Courageous Boy

Thank-you letter from Don-Christopher Barnes

One day in 2007, while near a swimming pool, nine-year-old Don-Christopher Barnes of Kingston, Jamaica heard his friend's brother screaming his name. He ran out and found his friend lying face down at the bottom of the deep end of the pool. Being just three feet, eight inches tall, Don first thought of getting help from an adult, but he did not want to waste time. So without panicking, he immediately jumped into the pool and pulled his friend to the shallow end. For his spectacular feat, Don was revered as a hero by his school community and family and was also recognized by the Prime Minister of Jamaica with the country's Badge of Honor for Gallantry.

Touched by the boy's courageous and compassionate act, Master also bestowed on him the Shining World Hero Award. The Award presentation was held in a Kingston hotel on March 8, Golden Year 5 (2008) by initiates from the Florida Center. After a letter from Master was read, Don came up in the Hero T-shirt he had received to accept a framed letter from Master, a crystalline Award plague, a check for US$500 and a gift bag full of Master's wonderful books. To show his deep appreciation and gratitude, Don then read a personally written letter to Master in front of the guests, who were deeply impressed by Don's intelligence and calm, joyful demeanor.

While in Jamaica the initiates took the opportunity to distribute SOS global-warming flyers to the Award ceremony guests, many of whom said they would share the information with their friends, relatives and co-workers. It was indeed a rewarding experience for the Florida initiates to honor young Don-Christopher Barnes for his heroic deed.