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Showing posts with label Global. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Global. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Support a Child's Education with Project Amigo
Think there's nothing you can do to support a child's education in Mexico in 1 Minute?
Starring - Rosie Moss
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Project Amigo, www.projectamigo.org
Special Thanks: Ted Rose and everyone at Project Amigo, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - What You Can Do .
Starring - Rosie Moss
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Project Amigo, www.projectamigo.org
Special Thanks: Ted Rose and everyone at Project Amigo, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - What You Can Do .
Friday, January 14, 2011
Update on Recovery in Haiti: An Interview with Action Against Hunger
We've all heard that even one-year after the earthquake, the situation in Haiti has remained dire and a lot of progress still has to be made. To get more specific information on the recovery efforts, we thought we'd ask our friends at Action Against Hunger. Check out the interview below.
What is your assessment of the state of Haiti one-year after the earthquake?
Despite the magnitude of the damage caused by the earthquake, progress has been made. Humanitarian organizations like Action Against Hunger have helped provide over a million people with food, clean water, education and shelter during the first year of recovery. They have repaired water infrastructure, built thousands of latrines and transitional shelters for families, provided access to basic health care, and helped families generate income through shelter construction and rubble removal projects. They have also managed to limit the spread of cholera in camps through large-scale information campaigns and the distribution of basic hygiene materials.
However, the effects of the earthquake—both physical and psychological—are still profound. Despite enormous progress, Port-au-Prince still lies in ruins, and its inhabitants still bear the scars and trauma of a devastating disaster. The government estimates that to date only 5% of the debris has been removed from the streets of the capital, and more than a million people continue to live in make-shift tents while awaiting adequate shelter.
The challenges of rebuilding Haiti remain immense. Sustainable infrastructure programs and opportunities to generate income are urgently needed to give people the means to provide their families with adequate food, shelter, and clean drinking water on a long-term basis.
What is the most important thing people should know about the recovery effort?
NGOs are working closely with the Haitian authorities, who are responsible for leading recovery and reconstruction efforts. Action Against Hunger and other humanitarian organizations are working to build the government’s capacity to provide basic services and are collaborating on hundreds of projects across Haiti.
The government lost key employees after the earthquake, and many others chose to leave the country. In addition, buildings and institutions were destroyed and records lost. While the government gets stronger, humanitarian organizations are helping to fill gaps from providing access to clean drinking water to getting anti-retroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS patients. There are many more needs that must be addressed in the long-term reconstruction process, such as improving the provision of water and sewage treatment, which would help prevent water-borne diseases such as cholera.
If someone wants to help or get involved, what can (should) they do?
Support an organization involved in long-term recovery efforts in Haiti that has a proven track record of success. For example, Action Against Hunger is continuing to provide hundreds of thousands of Haitians with nutritional care, access to clean water and sanitation, opportunities to generate income, and psychosocial support. We’re also working to reduce the risks associated with future natural disasters, promote long-term food security, encourage sustainable agricultural and water management practices, and strengthen the capacity of local institutions to deliver basic health services. Visit www.actionagainsthunger.org/haiti to learn more.
What is your assessment of the state of Haiti one-year after the earthquake?
Despite the magnitude of the damage caused by the earthquake, progress has been made. Humanitarian organizations like Action Against Hunger have helped provide over a million people with food, clean water, education and shelter during the first year of recovery. They have repaired water infrastructure, built thousands of latrines and transitional shelters for families, provided access to basic health care, and helped families generate income through shelter construction and rubble removal projects. They have also managed to limit the spread of cholera in camps through large-scale information campaigns and the distribution of basic hygiene materials.
However, the effects of the earthquake—both physical and psychological—are still profound. Despite enormous progress, Port-au-Prince still lies in ruins, and its inhabitants still bear the scars and trauma of a devastating disaster. The government estimates that to date only 5% of the debris has been removed from the streets of the capital, and more than a million people continue to live in make-shift tents while awaiting adequate shelter.
The challenges of rebuilding Haiti remain immense. Sustainable infrastructure programs and opportunities to generate income are urgently needed to give people the means to provide their families with adequate food, shelter, and clean drinking water on a long-term basis.
What is the most important thing people should know about the recovery effort?
NGOs are working closely with the Haitian authorities, who are responsible for leading recovery and reconstruction efforts. Action Against Hunger and other humanitarian organizations are working to build the government’s capacity to provide basic services and are collaborating on hundreds of projects across Haiti.
The government lost key employees after the earthquake, and many others chose to leave the country. In addition, buildings and institutions were destroyed and records lost. While the government gets stronger, humanitarian organizations are helping to fill gaps from providing access to clean drinking water to getting anti-retroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS patients. There are many more needs that must be addressed in the long-term reconstruction process, such as improving the provision of water and sewage treatment, which would help prevent water-borne diseases such as cholera.
If someone wants to help or get involved, what can (should) they do?
Support an organization involved in long-term recovery efforts in Haiti that has a proven track record of success. For example, Action Against Hunger is continuing to provide hundreds of thousands of Haitians with nutritional care, access to clean water and sanitation, opportunities to generate income, and psychosocial support. We’re also working to reduce the risks associated with future natural disasters, promote long-term food security, encourage sustainable agricultural and water management practices, and strengthen the capacity of local institutions to deliver basic health services. Visit www.actionagainsthunger.org/haiti to learn more.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Help for Haiti
Think you can't Help Haiti in 1 Minute? Watch this.
Starring - Alicia Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Lindsay Murphy and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Alicia Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Lindsay Murphy and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Make a Difference for People this Holiday
Think you can help a person in need in 1 minute? Watch this
Starring - Illiana Inocencio
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Sylvia Ross and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Illiana Inocencio
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Sylvia Ross and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Support African Wildlife
Think there's nothing you can do to Help African Wildlife in 1 Minute?
Starring - Wilton Yeung
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: The African Wildlife Foundation, www.awf.org
Special Thanks: Kurt Redenbo and everyone at The African Wildlife Foundation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Wilton Yeung
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: The African Wildlife Foundation, www.awf.org
Special Thanks: Kurt Redenbo and everyone at The African Wildlife Foundation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Saturday, December 4, 2010
An Interview with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
We'd like to thank Lauren Wesolowski, Communications Associate at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative for taking the time to answer some questions regarding the work that IAVI is doing. For more information, check them out at: www.iavi.org
Please tell us about IAVI and the work that you are doing.
The mission of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is to ensure the development of preventive AIDS vaccines that are not only safe and effective, but also appropriate for and accessible to all people, including those in the developing world, where some 95% of new HIV infections occur. IAVI invests the bulk of its resources in the research and clinical assessment of candidate vaccines. IAVI works around the world to apply promising scientific ideas and technologies to the design and swift development of AIDS vaccines.
In developing countries, we work closely with governmental, civic and community organizations to ensure the transparent and ethical conduct of clinical trials.
We also analyze and develop policies to promote the involvement of the private sector in AIDS vaccine research and development. And we advocate for policies that will ensure that once an AIDS vaccine is developed, it will be swiftly produced and distributed and priced as inexpensively as possible worldwide.
What is a preventive vaccine?
A preventive vaccine is a substance introduced into the human body that teaches the immune system to detect and destroy a pathogen—which is a particular virus, bacterium or parasite that causes a preventable disease. All vaccines contain some harmless form or part of the pathogen they target. They exert their effects through the adaptive immune response, an arm of the immune system that learns to recognize and neutralize specific pathogens (as opposed to pathogens in general).
Traditionally, vaccines are the most cost-effective, high-impact public health interventions for coping with infectious disease. And an AIDS vaccine offers the best hope of ending, and not just mitigating, the pandemic.
Does an AIDS vaccine exist?
At this time, no licensed AIDS vaccine exists anywhere in the world. However, many AIDS vaccine candidates are being studied by researchers and some are being tested in clinical trials throughout the world.
Developing any vaccine takes a very long time. The polio vaccine, for example, took over 40 years to develop. An effective AIDS vaccine is particularly hard to develop for many reasons. The science involved in designing an AIDS vaccine is very complicated. HIV is very good at evading the immune system, making it hard for scientists to understand how to create the best immune response with a vaccine. Once scientists develop a possible vaccine, the process of testing it in animals and humans is very lengthy.
In 2009, in a clinical trial in Thailand, an AIDS vaccine candidate reduced the risk of HIV infection by about 30%. This was a modest result, but it did prove that an AIDS vaccine can work in humans. Now researchers are working to improve on that result.
How widespread is the HIV/AIDS epidemic?
In the 27 years since scientists identified HIV as the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), it has spread relentlessly, causing one of the most devastating pandemics ever recorded in human history. Nearly 30 million people have died from HIV-related causes, and roughly 33.3 million are living with HIV.
AIDS remains the fourth leading cause of death globally. Every day 7,100 people worldwide become newly infected with HIV, and the most vulnerable people in the world continue to bear the heaviest burden of this merciless disease. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for nearly three-quarters of all AIDS-related deaths in 2009. And the epidemic seems to be emerging with a new ferocity in other parts of the planet, including China, Indonesia, pockets of Eastern Europe and Central Asia as well as in high-income countries like Germany, Britain and Australia.
How can the average person get involved and help?
An AIDS vaccine is the world's best hope for ending the epidemic. Giving to IAVI means helping to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world.
Donations help IAVI to conduct medical and scientific research; develop new AIDS vaccine candidates; build the capacity to conduct AIDS vaccine trials, including the construction of state-of-the-art laboratory and clinical facilities in developing countries; educate local communities most affected by the pandemic and engage them in the effort to develop an AIDS vaccine; increase awareness of and commitment to AIDS vaccine development; and advocate for the increased attention of policy makers to the need for an AIDS vaccine.
It’s also important to spread the word that the world needs an AIDS vaccine. You can connect with IAVI and help us share this important message through a variety of social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr and LinkedIn.
To learn more about the AIDS Vaccine, please visit - IAVI
Please tell us about IAVI and the work that you are doing.
The mission of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is to ensure the development of preventive AIDS vaccines that are not only safe and effective, but also appropriate for and accessible to all people, including those in the developing world, where some 95% of new HIV infections occur. IAVI invests the bulk of its resources in the research and clinical assessment of candidate vaccines. IAVI works around the world to apply promising scientific ideas and technologies to the design and swift development of AIDS vaccines.
In developing countries, we work closely with governmental, civic and community organizations to ensure the transparent and ethical conduct of clinical trials.
We also analyze and develop policies to promote the involvement of the private sector in AIDS vaccine research and development. And we advocate for policies that will ensure that once an AIDS vaccine is developed, it will be swiftly produced and distributed and priced as inexpensively as possible worldwide.
What is a preventive vaccine?
A preventive vaccine is a substance introduced into the human body that teaches the immune system to detect and destroy a pathogen—which is a particular virus, bacterium or parasite that causes a preventable disease. All vaccines contain some harmless form or part of the pathogen they target. They exert their effects through the adaptive immune response, an arm of the immune system that learns to recognize and neutralize specific pathogens (as opposed to pathogens in general).
Traditionally, vaccines are the most cost-effective, high-impact public health interventions for coping with infectious disease. And an AIDS vaccine offers the best hope of ending, and not just mitigating, the pandemic.
Does an AIDS vaccine exist?
At this time, no licensed AIDS vaccine exists anywhere in the world. However, many AIDS vaccine candidates are being studied by researchers and some are being tested in clinical trials throughout the world.
Developing any vaccine takes a very long time. The polio vaccine, for example, took over 40 years to develop. An effective AIDS vaccine is particularly hard to develop for many reasons. The science involved in designing an AIDS vaccine is very complicated. HIV is very good at evading the immune system, making it hard for scientists to understand how to create the best immune response with a vaccine. Once scientists develop a possible vaccine, the process of testing it in animals and humans is very lengthy.
In 2009, in a clinical trial in Thailand, an AIDS vaccine candidate reduced the risk of HIV infection by about 30%. This was a modest result, but it did prove that an AIDS vaccine can work in humans. Now researchers are working to improve on that result.
How widespread is the HIV/AIDS epidemic?
In the 27 years since scientists identified HIV as the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), it has spread relentlessly, causing one of the most devastating pandemics ever recorded in human history. Nearly 30 million people have died from HIV-related causes, and roughly 33.3 million are living with HIV.
AIDS remains the fourth leading cause of death globally. Every day 7,100 people worldwide become newly infected with HIV, and the most vulnerable people in the world continue to bear the heaviest burden of this merciless disease. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for nearly three-quarters of all AIDS-related deaths in 2009. And the epidemic seems to be emerging with a new ferocity in other parts of the planet, including China, Indonesia, pockets of Eastern Europe and Central Asia as well as in high-income countries like Germany, Britain and Australia.
How can the average person get involved and help?
An AIDS vaccine is the world's best hope for ending the epidemic. Giving to IAVI means helping to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world.
Donations help IAVI to conduct medical and scientific research; develop new AIDS vaccine candidates; build the capacity to conduct AIDS vaccine trials, including the construction of state-of-the-art laboratory and clinical facilities in developing countries; educate local communities most affected by the pandemic and engage them in the effort to develop an AIDS vaccine; increase awareness of and commitment to AIDS vaccine development; and advocate for the increased attention of policy makers to the need for an AIDS vaccine.
It’s also important to spread the word that the world needs an AIDS vaccine. You can connect with IAVI and help us share this important message through a variety of social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr and LinkedIn.
To learn more about the AIDS Vaccine, please visit - IAVI
Friday, December 3, 2010
Help Fight AIDS in Africa
Think there's nothing you can do to Help Fight AIDS in Africa in 1 Minute?
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Sylvia Ross, and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Sylvia Ross, and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Support an AIDS Vaccine
Think there's nothing you can do to Help Fight HIV/AIDS in 1 Minute?
Starring - Wilton Yeung
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, www.iavi.org
**The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) updated their official statistics on HIV epidemiology shortly after this film was produced. The updated figures reflect that there were 2.6 million new HIV infections in 2009, or about 7,100 new infections each day
Special Thanks: Lauren Wesolowski and everyone at The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Wilton Yeung
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, www.iavi.org
**The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) updated their official statistics on HIV epidemiology shortly after this film was produced. The updated figures reflect that there were 2.6 million new HIV infections in 2009, or about 7,100 new infections each day
Special Thanks: Lauren Wesolowski and everyone at The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Monday, November 29, 2010
Help Prevent HIV/AIDS
Think there's nothing you can do to Help Fight HIV/AIDS in 1 Minute?
Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: Path, www.path.org
Special Thanks: Dawn Bass, Teresa Guillien and everyone at PATH, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by - Jessica Arinella & Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistics Provided by: Path, www.path.org
Special Thanks: Dawn Bass, Teresa Guillien and everyone at PATH, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sharing To Learn: Inspired to Help (Part 2)
Below is Part 2 of our interview with Sharing To Learn Founder, Denise Ortiz.
1. Where would you like Sharing To Learn to be in five years?
I would love for the network of schools involved in our service-based learning program to continue to flourish. It is important to me to bring communities together so that they can learn with and from one another, bringing about a sense of understanding, respect and compassion. I also hope to have the support and funding to be able to build a state of the art, sustainable learning center for the Makuleke Community. The learning center, would serve as a platform for community development and would consist of four components: a spacious library, a technology center, an educational resource center as well as an art center. This learning center would give the village the infrastructure so that people could have the tools and resources to help themselves out of poverty.
2. What advice would you give someone who is inspired to start a
nonprofit?
My advice would be to welcome all of the help that people offer to you. Find a way for them to fit into your vision and allow them to be of service. I am only able to do the work that I do with the help of others.
3. How can someone get involved in your organization?
I welcome the support of anyone who is inspired by the Makuleke Community. Running a non-profit is a lot of work! The more help that I receive the better! I am always in need of people helping to network and fundraise - which could be simple events , such as lemonade stands, walkathons, hosting dinner parties, etc. I also love to accommodate people with an interest in traveling to South Africa and working driectly with the Makuleke Community.
6. What has been the greatest surprise thus far in getting Sharing To
Learn off the ground?
The greatest surprise has been the most lovely surprise: that by creating a non-profit organization, I was simultaneously creating a forum for a community of caring, compassionate and inspired individuals to come together and change the world for the better.
To learn more about Sharing To Learn or to get involved, visit: http://www.sharingtolearn.org/
1. Where would you like Sharing To Learn to be in five years?
I would love for the network of schools involved in our service-based learning program to continue to flourish. It is important to me to bring communities together so that they can learn with and from one another, bringing about a sense of understanding, respect and compassion. I also hope to have the support and funding to be able to build a state of the art, sustainable learning center for the Makuleke Community. The learning center, would serve as a platform for community development and would consist of four components: a spacious library, a technology center, an educational resource center as well as an art center. This learning center would give the village the infrastructure so that people could have the tools and resources to help themselves out of poverty.
2. What advice would you give someone who is inspired to start a
nonprofit?
My advice would be to welcome all of the help that people offer to you. Find a way for them to fit into your vision and allow them to be of service. I am only able to do the work that I do with the help of others.
3. How can someone get involved in your organization?
I welcome the support of anyone who is inspired by the Makuleke Community. Running a non-profit is a lot of work! The more help that I receive the better! I am always in need of people helping to network and fundraise - which could be simple events , such as lemonade stands, walkathons, hosting dinner parties, etc. I also love to accommodate people with an interest in traveling to South Africa and working driectly with the Makuleke Community.
6. What has been the greatest surprise thus far in getting Sharing To
Learn off the ground?
The greatest surprise has been the most lovely surprise: that by creating a non-profit organization, I was simultaneously creating a forum for a community of caring, compassionate and inspired individuals to come together and change the world for the better.
To learn more about Sharing To Learn or to get involved, visit: http://www.sharingtolearn.org/
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sharing To Learn: Inspired to Help (Part 1)
What long ago I ran into a neighbor in my apartment building. I hadn't seen her in a while and so we stopped to chat for a bit. While I was prepared to hear about how her job was going about any run-of-the-mill updates in her life, I was totally unprepared to hear about her creating a nonprofit to help a community in South Africa. Amazed at her passion, I told her about "What You Can Do" and how what she was doing was exactly the sentiment that WYCD is trying to encourage. Wanting to spread the word about her inspiring story, I asked if I could interview her about her new organization, Sharing To Learn. Below is Part 1 of our interview.
1. What made you want to start Sharing To Learn? How did it come about?
I have always been interested in helping others,most especially in making a difference in the lives of children. While I did not know that I would create a non-profit organization, everything that I have ever done in my life has prepared me for this: teaching early childhood education for eleven years, living abroad for nine years, studying psychology, as well as education, etc. Throughout my career as an educator, it has always been a priority for me to create nurturing classrooms, where children develop a sense of compassion for their peers. Creating curriculum that brought children from opposite ends of the globe together, while working towards social change came very naturally to me. When I realized the opportunity to create my non-profit organization, Sharing to Learn, it made so much sense to me and seemed to be the most meaningful thing that I could do with my life. Through my organization, I am able to help empower thousands of children, vs. a classroom of twenty.
When I visited Makuleke in July, 2008 for the first time, I was struck by two things in particular: the utter poverty in which children (and adults) lived with on a daily basis, the lack of food, shoes and adequate clothing, as well as the lack of adequate healthcare and education. I was also struck by the fact that in spite of how little the people of this poor village had, they were the most giving and generous people that I had ever met. In Makuleke, one lives with the African philosophy of ubuntu, which means that a person is a person through other people; one lives in the present moment and with an open heart. The little that one has, one shares. This generosity of spirit resonated with me very much. The people of this village had taught me many lessons on a happy way of living life. When I returned to NYC after my initial 8-day trip, I found it very difficult to continue living my life as if I did not know the poverty in which my new friends were living. Most especially, I knew that the children (orphans) that I had come to care so much about really were not going to have an opportunity to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty with the education system that they had in place - an education without books. It was then that I began collecting books to set up the Makuleke Village's first community library in July 2009. While working to accomplish that task, I found all the purpose and meaning in life. It was then that I realized the big picture: that I could indeed impact thousands of children's lives by providing the tools to a more solid education and thus giving them a viable way out of poverty. I created my non-profit organization in the state of New York in February, 2010.
2. Can you tell us what Sharing To Learn does?
Through global education, Sharing to Learn creates a forum for children around the world to be part of the solution to poverty. We create service-based learning experiences for schools, linking them with the Makuleke Community in South Africa. Children begin to learn with and from another culture, while also working towards social justice and a world of equality. Children as young as three years of age participate in our programs, becoming young social entrepreneurs. Through our curriculum, students begin to realize when something is not fair and they take action. For example, as a Kindergarten class in NYC learned about the Makuleke Community, they realized that the village did not have a library and that books were scarce. They took the initiative to create a village library. They collected hundreds of books, sorted them and prepared them to be shipped; they also held a bake sale to raise money for the library's bookshelves. STL provides a platform for children to become change-agents at a very early age. Global education is at the core of STL; learning centers established in the Makuleke Village are the offshoots of this learning.
1. What made you want to start Sharing To Learn? How did it come about?
I have always been interested in helping others,most especially in making a difference in the lives of children. While I did not know that I would create a non-profit organization, everything that I have ever done in my life has prepared me for this: teaching early childhood education for eleven years, living abroad for nine years, studying psychology, as well as education, etc. Throughout my career as an educator, it has always been a priority for me to create nurturing classrooms, where children develop a sense of compassion for their peers. Creating curriculum that brought children from opposite ends of the globe together, while working towards social change came very naturally to me. When I realized the opportunity to create my non-profit organization, Sharing to Learn, it made so much sense to me and seemed to be the most meaningful thing that I could do with my life. Through my organization, I am able to help empower thousands of children, vs. a classroom of twenty.
When I visited Makuleke in July, 2008 for the first time, I was struck by two things in particular: the utter poverty in which children (and adults) lived with on a daily basis, the lack of food, shoes and adequate clothing, as well as the lack of adequate healthcare and education. I was also struck by the fact that in spite of how little the people of this poor village had, they were the most giving and generous people that I had ever met. In Makuleke, one lives with the African philosophy of ubuntu, which means that a person is a person through other people; one lives in the present moment and with an open heart. The little that one has, one shares. This generosity of spirit resonated with me very much. The people of this village had taught me many lessons on a happy way of living life. When I returned to NYC after my initial 8-day trip, I found it very difficult to continue living my life as if I did not know the poverty in which my new friends were living. Most especially, I knew that the children (orphans) that I had come to care so much about really were not going to have an opportunity to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty with the education system that they had in place - an education without books. It was then that I began collecting books to set up the Makuleke Village's first community library in July 2009. While working to accomplish that task, I found all the purpose and meaning in life. It was then that I realized the big picture: that I could indeed impact thousands of children's lives by providing the tools to a more solid education and thus giving them a viable way out of poverty. I created my non-profit organization in the state of New York in February, 2010.
2. Can you tell us what Sharing To Learn does?
Through global education, Sharing to Learn creates a forum for children around the world to be part of the solution to poverty. We create service-based learning experiences for schools, linking them with the Makuleke Community in South Africa. Children begin to learn with and from another culture, while also working towards social justice and a world of equality. Children as young as three years of age participate in our programs, becoming young social entrepreneurs. Through our curriculum, students begin to realize when something is not fair and they take action. For example, as a Kindergarten class in NYC learned about the Makuleke Community, they realized that the village did not have a library and that books were scarce. They took the initiative to create a village library. They collected hundreds of books, sorted them and prepared them to be shipped; they also held a bake sale to raise money for the library's bookshelves. STL provides a platform for children to become change-agents at a very early age. Global education is at the core of STL; learning centers established in the Makuleke Village are the offshoots of this learning.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Support an African Student's Education
Think there's nothing you can do to support an African Student's Education in 1 Minute? Watch this.
Starring: Alicia Arinella
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical information provided by: Books for Africa, www.booksforafrica.org
Special Thanks: Patrick Plonski and everyone at Books for Africa and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring: Alicia Arinella
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical information provided by: Books for Africa, www.booksforafrica.org
Special Thanks: Patrick Plonski and everyone at Books for Africa and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A conversation with Patrick Plonski from Books for Africa
One of the wonderful organizations we have been fortunate enough to work with is Books for Africa. Please read on to hear from Books for Africa's Executive Director Patrick Plonski, and to learn more about this amazing not for profit and the work that they do.
Please tell me a little bit about Books for Africa.
Books For Africa is the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the Africa continent, shipping over 22 million books to schools and libraries in 45 African countries since 1988.
How was Books for Africa founded?
BFA was established with our founder, Tom Warth, visited a library in Jinja, Uganda in 1988. The library had no books. Since he was involved in the publishing business, he came home to Minnesota and ran a book drive with some of his publishing friends and they sent a few bags of books. It was so well-received, that they set up a non-profit, Books For Africa, and kept going. That was 22 million books ago!
Since its creation, how has Books for Africa impacted the community it serves?
It is hard to describe a community without a library or books of any kind. It is even more odd to describe a community library or a school library that has the building and the shelves, but no books. It is like these people are deprived of what so many of us take for granted. But more than books, what we provide to the kids we serve in Africa is opportunity. Books provide literacy which provides education which provides opportunity to improve lives. You can’t believe the excitement of the kids when they open boxes of books that we shipped. They are excited because they know that they will be able to have fun reading books, but also be able to have some education and move their lives forward.
Please tell us how Books for Africa has personally affected your life?
It has been a great honor to serve as the director of Books for Africa. If a day does not go the way I would like it to go, I can still say to myself “Hey, at least I helped send that container of 22,000 books to Africa today, and that’s a good thing.”
Could you please share an anecdote about someone who's life has been positively affected by Books for Africa?
I remember visiting a school in Eshowe, South Africa a few years ago. We were visiting a book distribution site and bringing a few more books. There was singing and dancing and so much excitement. And I thought, wow, I wonder what would happen if there were this much excitement when books are delivered to a school in the United States?
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Just that a book can change a person’s life. I have some of my favorite books, and I sometimes re-read the parts I love best. I also remember as a kid growing up on the farm reading books and going to the library because I knew there was a bigger world out there and books were the way to get to that world. Please help us to open these doors to the larger world to these kids in Africa.
Please tell me a little bit about Books for Africa.
Books For Africa is the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the Africa continent, shipping over 22 million books to schools and libraries in 45 African countries since 1988.
How was Books for Africa founded?
BFA was established with our founder, Tom Warth, visited a library in Jinja, Uganda in 1988. The library had no books. Since he was involved in the publishing business, he came home to Minnesota and ran a book drive with some of his publishing friends and they sent a few bags of books. It was so well-received, that they set up a non-profit, Books For Africa, and kept going. That was 22 million books ago!
Since its creation, how has Books for Africa impacted the community it serves?
It is hard to describe a community without a library or books of any kind. It is even more odd to describe a community library or a school library that has the building and the shelves, but no books. It is like these people are deprived of what so many of us take for granted. But more than books, what we provide to the kids we serve in Africa is opportunity. Books provide literacy which provides education which provides opportunity to improve lives. You can’t believe the excitement of the kids when they open boxes of books that we shipped. They are excited because they know that they will be able to have fun reading books, but also be able to have some education and move their lives forward.
Please tell us how Books for Africa has personally affected your life?
It has been a great honor to serve as the director of Books for Africa. If a day does not go the way I would like it to go, I can still say to myself “Hey, at least I helped send that container of 22,000 books to Africa today, and that’s a good thing.”
Could you please share an anecdote about someone who's life has been positively affected by Books for Africa?
I remember visiting a school in Eshowe, South Africa a few years ago. We were visiting a book distribution site and bringing a few more books. There was singing and dancing and so much excitement. And I thought, wow, I wonder what would happen if there were this much excitement when books are delivered to a school in the United States?
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Just that a book can change a person’s life. I have some of my favorite books, and I sometimes re-read the parts I love best. I also remember as a kid growing up on the farm reading books and going to the library because I knew there was a bigger world out there and books were the way to get to that world. Please help us to open these doors to the larger world to these kids in Africa.
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