"Harmon Parker: My Personal Hero," a persuasive speech.

Everyday Hero Speech

What defines a hero? A hero is defined as -- a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Harmon Parker is an example that goes beyond that of a typical hero. Because of his extensive and persistent act to help the people of Kenya reach crucial resources incase of a disastrous flash flood, Harmon Parker, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, deserves to be the CNN Everyday hero.

Parker arrived in Kenya as a young missionary in 1989, when he befriended Jay Hindson, a local development worker who invited him to a bridge build in 1996. The experience changed his life forever. Now 54, Parker recalls, “I saw that building a bridge could change lives and transform communities.” The destruction that flash floods present alerted Parker. “When it floods, people really suffer not being able to get to the clinic or the market or to their school, Parker said. “Like every people, they have dreams. They want to prosper.” By building these bridges, Parker can bring their dreams to life, and give the people of Kenya a better way of life. Better yet, a safer way of life as well.

Bridging the Gap, an organization developed by Harmon Parker, has helped build a total of 45 bridges since 1997. These bridges not only save lives; they allow people within rural areas of Kenya to reach schools, markets, and health care. “I have built many bridges in very remote areas for the 'few and the needy' that a larger organization may not consider," Parker said. "Knowing this bridge will probably save at least one life is what makes me tick. ... I build bridges because I want to save lives, lives that I will never know about." Parker’s overhanging footbridges are a simple design, that are about 120 feet long and cost up to $6,000. But due to limited financing, Bridging the Gap can organize only five to six projects a year.

While working on this project for 15 years, Harmon Parker has been robbed and held at gunpoint, plagued by parasites such as malaria and dengue fever, and yet he still continues to contribute to the people of Kenya. "I feel I'm blessed ... privileged to do what I'm doing," he says. "A bridge is a beautiful metaphor for many things. There are bridges of hope, bridges of peace, bridges of life. To me, bridges are beautiful." His willingness to give to the people of Kenya only shows how Harmon Parker is an “Everyday hero”.
As a top 10 contestant for CNN’s “Everyday hero”, Harmon Parker’s contributions to the country of Kenya defines him as a very noble and courageous man that isn’t commonly found. With the support of Bridging the Gap, Parker can influence the lives of many other villagers in Kenya to save lives. To get involved, visit www.bridgingthegapafrica.org, and give the people of Kenya a safe route to reach key resources for their everyday living.

Visit cnn.com and search for CNN Everyday Hero to cast your vote and view other contests journeys.