Posts Tagged ‘Non profit’

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Building Uganda One Brick At A Time

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Dreams For Kids - Uganda

Military conflict in Northern Uganda has displaced 80% of the population into Internal Displaced Person (IDP) Camps. Lacking food and other basic necessities, these camps are plagued with high levels of poverty, rape and HIV/AIDS infections, making it one of the poorest regions in the country.

  • Over one million children are not attending school
  • 25% of children have lost one or both their parents
  • 12% of women 30-40 are widows
  • 80% of adult women have no complete primary school
  • Only 9% of men have completed secondary school

Northern Uganda has a 12% HIV/ADIS prevalence rate, twice the national rate

The data is daunting but this isn’t something we’ve never heard before. Statistics are important but so are solutions.

Dreams For Kids’ (DFK) mission is to “end the suffering and dying in Uganda by providing access to education and sustainable income sources for women who will rebuild their country and create a future of hope for their children.”

DFK is currently building a primary school in the village of Gulu. Join them in their One Brick at a Time Campaign. For as little as $10, every brick you purchase will help build their school. Cornerstone bricks are also available for $100.

Ensure the future of the children of Gulu. Buy a brick.

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Posted in Africa, Do Good Thursday | View Comments

India: In Search Of Artists Who Makes Dreams Happen

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Dreams For Kids - India

Remember when you were five and you chose your best friend based on whether or not they’d share their box of Crayola Crayons with you? Losing my “best friend” of the day and getting rejected wasn’t fun but my crayons meant more to me than PlayDough and Pringles. Every child should have the opportunity go through these growing pains and make the decision for themselves. It could even guide them to their future as an artist or an architecture.

Unfortunately, children in a small village in Maharastra, India called Pusla won’t have the chance to develop their creativity with our help.  Are you an artist who can offer your talents while traveling the world? Dreams For Kids and Ayuda Shilip, an Indian Non-Profit, have teamed up together with a mission to provide the environment, training and resources necessary to help Indian children develop their creativity and artistic talents.

Their focus is on encouraging and enhacing art and creativity. Some immediate goals include:

  • Building wells for clean drinking water
  • Developing plans to build schools where none exist
  • Creating art workshops in the schools
  • Developing an art exchange program with the US Dream Leaders program
  • Supplying adaptive equipment for children with disabilities.

If you have plans of inundating yourself with the beauty and wonders that India has to offer, give a little back by volunteering with Dreams For Kids in India.

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Do Good Thursday: Dreams For Kids

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Dreams For Kids

A single act of kindness turned into a global youth organization. It all started on Christmas eve in 1989, Chicago, IL . Dreams for Kids founder, Tom Tuohy, and a dozen volunteers including Santa, delivered gifts and food to a children’s shelter, Clara’s House. This annual gathering, called Holiday for Hope, is now held in over 30 countries – the largest event of its kind in the world.

After that Tom began Extreme Recess when he met JJ in 1996, a young man paralyzed during a hockey incident. The program is dedicated to helping children realize and achieve their dreams.

In 2007, Dreams for Kids began its global expansion. Since its founding, Dreams for Kids have impacted the lives of over 28,000 children. Here are some of the lives they’ve changed:

“I can speak in front of a group of people! I can look at people with disability and see they are just like me! I accept people for who they are!   Keep this program, and never let it die out! It’s strong like the people in it. I LOVED it!! When new [Dream Leaders] programs are starting up I would want to be there and tell kids my story and how it changed me! I just want to be a part of it!!”
–Diamond Watkins, Age 16

“This summer Dreams for Kids came to San Diego. I had a great time playing wheelchair basketball. I would like to tell you how much you touched me. I will remember forever that you came to NSA. Now when somebody makes fun of disabled, I tell them, they are not disabled, they are able– able to do everything. Thank you for changing me.” -Heather, Age 10, Wisconsin

“For my birthday this year, I asked for donations instead of presents. So here are the donations ($250) for Dreams for Kids.” -Brendan, Age 10

Dreams For Kids currently has international volunteer abroad programs located in India, Uganda, Ghana and Haiti. I will be highlighting their projects from each of these countries around the world. Stay tuned if you are interested in volunteering and/or donating to projects in these countries.

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Globetrotters, Have You Changed The World?

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

 

 

change the world

Flickr - Globetoppers

 

When I travel, all I do is take. I take in the sights. I take in the sound. I take in the smell, the feel, the culture and I certainly take in the food. But what do I give? Nothing but dollar bills. Now, how fair is that?

The only time I ever gave back was during my study abroad semester. I volunteered at the QiDi Migrant School in rural Shanghai teaching English to impoverished children.

These migrant children were not only hungry for food but they were hungry to learn. They shouted answers with bright eyes and they fought to come to the board. For them, enough was never enough. They always wanted more. At the end of each class they tugged at my hands and asked,
“黄老师，你会回来吗？”(Miss Wong, will you be back?)

I always said yes. They always gleamed with joy but I knew that the more I said yes, the closer it was to saying no. Eventually I had to leave. Just like everyone else in their lives. (Read more)

With the exception of my study abroad semester, all of my trips were never extended travels. Perhaps that’s why giving back was never top of mind. It was all about me and what I wanted because in about a week or so, I’d be back to my 9-7.

So I’d like to propose something new  on A Pair of Panties & Boxers and I hope you will all support me. I will be featuring a fellow wanderluster who has given back to the global community on “Do Good Thursday.” I’ m looking to share stories from travelers who have volunteered abroad and inspire others to do the same.

If you have a personal story, volunteer resources, tips and advice you’d like to share, please email me at monica@apairofpantiesandboxers.com. I can’t wait to hear about the lives you’ve changed and the differences you’ve made.

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Donate to charity:water by Downloading Travel Secrets eBooks

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

charity:water has always been one of my favorite non-profit organizations and I am thrilled that Tripbase is launching a charity campaign to help raise donations for the millions of people in developing countries who live without clean drinking water. Charity:water provides funds to build freshwater wells and 100% of your donations direct funds these water projects.  With every download of Tripbase’s Travel Secrets eBooks, a $1 donation will be given to charity:water. In these ebooks, you will find the best kept travel secrets for beaches, destinations, family travel, food, Italy, travel tips and US travels.

Tripbase’s Travel Secrets eBook contains the best kept travel secrets from travel writers all over the world. Your’s truly is featured as an Editor’s Pick!

To download your copies today, please click here. For every person who downloads Tripbase’s Travel Secrets ebooks, I will match Tripbase’s donation to charity:water but you must click on my unique trackable link so I know how many people have downloaded this ebook.

20 downloads means that a $20 donation will give one person clean water for 20 year.

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I’m Guest Bartending In New York City!

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Image by Michael van Emde Boas

I’ve been volunteering with FXB to promote this year’s World AIDS Orphans Day. On May 7th, FXB Action Network is bringing together young professionals to raise money to help AIDS orphans around the world. The event will be hosted at Overlook Lounge in New York City. I will be guest bartending that night. So for all you heavy drinkers out there, ahem Chris Richardson, bring your behinds to NYC and drink up the bar for a good cause!

We’ve reserved the entire second floor and the outdoor patio. Your $15 donation will earn you admission to the event and ONE FREE DRINK but it can also:

  • Pay for a child in Rwanda or Uganda to attend primary school for the first time in their life by covering the costs of school fees that they would otherwise be unable to afford
  • Provide uniforms to AIDS orphans in India, so they can attend school with the other children in their community
  • Purchase basic school supplies like notebooks, pens, and reading materials for children in Thailand.

There will be $5 drink specials all night. You’ll also get a chance to win prizes like:

  • One hour of open bar at the Overlook Lounge for you and 9 of your friends!
  • Free registration for a co-ed sports league and post-game parties at NYCSSC. Join a Kickball, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, Flag Football, Bowling, or Inner-tube Water Polo team!
  • A one-month membership to New York Health and Racket Club, includes use of state-of-the art cardio and strength training equipment, indoor lap pools, sauna, steam Rooms, whirlpools, jacuzzis, group fitness and spinning studios with over 600 weekly classes, and racquetball, basketball and squash courts. Plus, access to yacht, VIP Beach Club in Westchester and Doral Arrowwood Golf Resort!
  • Designer purses, exotic jewelry, SwitchFlops, and more!

By purchasing a ticket, you are helping FXB change the lives of AIDS orphans and children in need around the world. Reserve your ticket now and be entered for a chance to win free registration with NYCSSC!

Come out. Show your support. Have fun and help change the life of an orphan left in the wake of the AIDS pandemic. We can even turn this into a NYC tweet up!  I hope you all can make it. I’ll see you at the bar.

Place: Overlook Lounge

Date: May 7, 2010

Time: 6PM to whenever

Location: 225 East 44th Street

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FXB is an international non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of children affected by AIDS and poverty. For the last 20 years, FXB has worked around the world to empower AIDS orphans and vulnerable children, their caregivers, and the surrounding communities. FXB is currently working with communities in China, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Brazil, Colombia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. Visit http://fxb.org/ to learn more.

World AIDS Orphans Day is a grassroots campaign to draw attention to & advocate on behalf of the 15+ million children orphaned by AIDS, founded by FXB International and supported by a network of partners.

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World AIDS Orphan’s Day

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Photobucket

Those who know me well, or well enough, know that I’ve been looking to work with a non-profit for a very long time. Many NGOs I’ve come across were looking for someone to work in-house on a daily basis. I have a 9-7 so that wasn’t going to work.

Then, I received an email newsletter from FXB International, a non-profit organization that aims to deliver sustainable results for children affected by poverty and AIDS. FXB was looking for a volunteer communications intern to work from home. The hours were flexible and it was only 5-12 hours a week. I saw it and said, “That is mine.”

Two days later, I signed some papers and was brought on board. I’m currently working to promote World AIDS Orphans Day, a grassroots campaign to draw attention to and advocate on behalf of the 15+ million children orphaned by AIDS. World AIDS Orphans Day is founded by FXB International and supported by a network of partners. We commemorate this day every year on May 7th.

This year, children in 4-8th are encouraged to enter in the 2010 World AIDS Orphans Day Essay Contest by submitting a letter on the following topic:

Millions of kids around the world have lost their parents to AIDS. Write a letter to Albina du Boisrouvray, founder of World AIDS Orphans Day, explaining what you think should be done to help these kids live better lives.

If you have a little one or know of someone who does, please feel free to pass this along. The winning essay will be posted on the World AIDS Orphans Day website. The author will receive a certificate from Albina du Boisrouvray, international humanitarian and founder of World AIDS Orphans Day, and $200 to be donated in their name to a charity benefiting children. For more information please visit, 2010 World AIDS Orphans Day Essay Contest.

If you have some extra room in your heart and on your blog to share this message with your readers, please let me know. I’d really appreciate your help.

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Abandon The Cube & The 2010 ATV Mongal Rally

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Our fellow travelers at Abandon the Cube have decided to venture into a whole new arena—volunteering. They have abandoned their cubicles to travel, and now they are using their love of travel to help people in need. This summer ATC is tackling the Mongol Rally, a 10,000-mile race from London to Ulan Bataar that will take the adventurers through twenty countries and several time zones.

The rally will last over a month, depending on the route these intrepid wanderers take. The end result is a dust-covered duo in Mongolia donating their rally car to be auctioned for charity, and delivering the money they raise for Mercy Corps Mongolia. They also hope to volunteer their time once on the steppe before continuing their independent travels in South East Asia.

ATC would love for you to get involved by making a small donation to Mercy Corps Mongolia through the Abandon the Cube website. Each donation gets them closer to their goal, and thus closer to the steppes of Mongolia! You can also donate via the widget below. If you are looking for a great way to spend your summer in 2011 then look no further than next years rally—ATC will be on hand to answer any questions about the race, the charity or Mongolia if you have an interest in participating next year.

For additional information, please take a look at the ATC Sponsorship Proposal below.

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Inspirational Reading: Leaving Microsoft To Change The World

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Great books are books that take me out of my element. Books that make me miss my stop. Books that make me wish my 1+ hour commute was just a little bit longer. Books like John Wood’s “Leaving Microsoft To Change The World.” I’ve been reading it every morning for the past 2 weeks and I wait a dreadfully long 10 hours before I can immerse myself in it again.

John writes about his transition from a six-figure Microsoft exec to an unpaid non-profit entrepreneur. Well…it was more of a dive than a transition and all he needed to take that dive was a little dose of reality – in Nepal. But that’s the beauty of traveling and it’s what traveling is. It’s reality. His book is not so much about his travels around the world but about his travels through life.

Leaving Microsoft To Change The WorldHere’s the synopsis:

In 1998, John Wood was a rising executive at Microsoft when he took a vacation that changed his life. What started as a trekking holiday in Nepal became a spiritual journey and then a mission: to change the world one book and one child at a time by setting up libraries in the developing world. He was soon driven to leave his career with only a loose vision of the change he wanted to bring to the world.

John made the unlikely marriage between Microsoft business practices and the world of non-profits to create Room to Read, an organization that has created a network of over 7,500 libraries and 830 schools throughout rural and poor communities in Asia and Africa.

The organization is now one of the fastest growing, most effective, and award-winning non-profits of the last decade. John has been recognized in the worldwide media as a “21st century Andrew Carnegie,” building a public library infrastructure to help the developing world break the cycle of poverty through the lifelong gift of education.

I use to want the corner office. Now, I want the world. I can only assume John use to want the corner office too. He worked in the corporate world for almost 10 years before pursuing his passion in philanthropy. I just wish I don’t have to wait that long before I pursue mine. Reading his story encouraged me to tough it out.

It’s difficult to have ambitions and not be able to execute them. Most of the time, I have scenarios in my head of what I could be doing instead. Since reading John’s book, I’ve decided that I’m going to raise money to build at least 6 schools in rural China. Each school will be in honor of my grandparents and parents because education has always been so deeply ingrained in my family. My maternal grandparents are retired educators.  Unfortunately, Room To Read is currently not operating in China. Hopefully by the time I’ve raised enough funds to start building my first school, Room To Read would have expanded into China.

Have you read anything inspirational lately? Please recommend it. I’m always looking for some mental stimulation.

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Hands For Haiti

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Hands For Haiti

The effect of the earthquake in Haiti has rippled through countless countries & ignited a storm of action from aid agencies, relief organizations, charities and everyday people like you and I who are scrambling to deliver much needed resources to the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

Hands For Haiti is not asking for donations. Hands For Haiti is not asking for clothes. Hands For Haiti is asking the world not to forget that Haiti has been for a long time in dire need of our love and attention. This earthquake has brought Haiti to the front pages but every day prior to this earthquake, the people of Haiti suffer with treatable diseases, struggle with poverty and spend their lives fighting to live.

Hands For Haiti is dedicated to bringing you updates about New York City’s on-going events that aid in the rebuilding of Haiti so that we, as New Yorkers, can contribute what we can. Please visit www.handsforhaiti.us for a short, but growing, list of events that are occurring in the New York City area. These events are aimed at raising aid and resources for the people of Haiti.

If you have an event or know of one, please leave the information below and it will be added to the listing.

Lend your Hands For Haiti.

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