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Hello you wonderful people! If you watched the video, you kind of get what's up here. I've decided to make more use out of this short life of ours and take some time to volunteer for programs which need it the most. Now I may seem adorably goofy in the video, but trust me, this is a very serious cause in which I need all the help I can get.
A little about me: After graduating with two creative degrees from Chapman University, I struggled as an artist for many years, owing almost 90,000 dollars in student loans and getting by on menial, minimum wage jobs. But after six long years of nose-to-the-grindstone career work, I realized time was speeding up. And now that the initial six-year career-panic has subsided as my pilot goes into post production, I've finally had a moment to breathe. And in those breaths, I've been able to "crane up" and look around to other areas of life on this planet. I was able to follow my curiosity for the first time and, believe it or not, I found something I really believe in, other than my creative endeavors.
This campaign is so important because the number of volunteers for these programs are lacking. No one these days can afford to quit a full time job, or take their own vacation time to go work for those in need for free. And on top of that, volunteers have to support themselves with room and board while doing their free work. The logistics seem to repel most people interested in volunteering.
But that is why most volunteer programs are supported through fundraising. Hence: this campaign. I know I gave an overview of the programs in the video, but here's some more detailed information on them.
Project #1:
For many children in India, school is simply not an option, as they work in the streets with their parents selling goods, foraging and performing to make a living. There are estimated to be over 100 million street children living in India. The Slum Teaching project focuses on providing these children with a basic education and new opportunities that they would otherwise be deprived of. This project is very popular among the street children and their families, who are grateful for the new perspectives and lessons learned from volunteers. Volunteer work consists of taking basic lessons in make-shift classrooms within the slums, playing games with the children after class, providing one-on-one support, and introducing the children to activities, such as painting, art, and theater that are not possible outside of school.
Project #2:
This program can involve many renovation and construction projects in various villages in Thailand which lack modern infrastructure. Previous volunteers on this project have completed a variety of jobs, including building water tanks, building check dams, renovating and building classrooms. developing agricultural projects, repairing roads and homes, and installing toilets for elderly villagers, among others. Volunteers can also get involved in related work that can be carried out protected from the elements, such as researching methods of agricultural production, which can be applied within the local community, and presenting planned projects to villagers.
Project #3
Together with the local wildlife conservation society, volunteers on the Wild Elephant Conservation project assist in observing the behavior of wild elephants and carry out research-related tasks within the Wasgamuwa region, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Elephants hold great cultural and religious significance in Sri Lanka, however elephants are viewed as a nuisance by many rural people, as they invade farms looking for crops. The aim of the Wild Elephant Conservation project in Sri Lanka is to develop effective measures to resolve human-elephant conflict and to ensure wild elephants are no longer being killed by local farmers. Volunteer tasks include assessing human-elephant conflicts, mapping biodiversity using surveying techniques, assisting with the implementation of human-elephant conflict resolution projects, and developing sustainable rural livelihood initiatives.
If we reach our goal, your donations will be used to support my volunteer time overseas, as well as the programs themselves. Not only will you make it possible for me to be a volunteer, but you will also be able to see directly how your funds are being used. I am going to be documenting my journey through photos, videos, and articles, so you can check in to see how your money is making a difference.
A little about me: After graduating with two creative degrees from Chapman University, I struggled as an artist for many years, owing almost 90,000 dollars in student loans and getting by on menial, minimum wage jobs. But after six long years of nose-to-the-grindstone career work, I realized time was speeding up. And now that the initial six-year career-panic has subsided as my pilot goes into post production, I've finally had a moment to breathe. And in those breaths, I've been able to "crane up" and look around to other areas of life on this planet. I was able to follow my curiosity for the first time and, believe it or not, I found something I really believe in, other than my creative endeavors.
This campaign is so important because the number of volunteers for these programs are lacking. No one these days can afford to quit a full time job, or take their own vacation time to go work for those in need for free. And on top of that, volunteers have to support themselves with room and board while doing their free work. The logistics seem to repel most people interested in volunteering.
But that is why most volunteer programs are supported through fundraising. Hence: this campaign. I know I gave an overview of the programs in the video, but here's some more detailed information on them.
Project #1:
For many children in India, school is simply not an option, as they work in the streets with their parents selling goods, foraging and performing to make a living. There are estimated to be over 100 million street children living in India. The Slum Teaching project focuses on providing these children with a basic education and new opportunities that they would otherwise be deprived of. This project is very popular among the street children and their families, who are grateful for the new perspectives and lessons learned from volunteers. Volunteer work consists of taking basic lessons in make-shift classrooms within the slums, playing games with the children after class, providing one-on-one support, and introducing the children to activities, such as painting, art, and theater that are not possible outside of school.
Project #2:
This program can involve many renovation and construction projects in various villages in Thailand which lack modern infrastructure. Previous volunteers on this project have completed a variety of jobs, including building water tanks, building check dams, renovating and building classrooms. developing agricultural projects, repairing roads and homes, and installing toilets for elderly villagers, among others. Volunteers can also get involved in related work that can be carried out protected from the elements, such as researching methods of agricultural production, which can be applied within the local community, and presenting planned projects to villagers.
Project #3
Together with the local wildlife conservation society, volunteers on the Wild Elephant Conservation project assist in observing the behavior of wild elephants and carry out research-related tasks within the Wasgamuwa region, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Elephants hold great cultural and religious significance in Sri Lanka, however elephants are viewed as a nuisance by many rural people, as they invade farms looking for crops. The aim of the Wild Elephant Conservation project in Sri Lanka is to develop effective measures to resolve human-elephant conflict and to ensure wild elephants are no longer being killed by local farmers. Volunteer tasks include assessing human-elephant conflicts, mapping biodiversity using surveying techniques, assisting with the implementation of human-elephant conflict resolution projects, and developing sustainable rural livelihood initiatives.
If we reach our goal, your donations will be used to support my volunteer time overseas, as well as the programs themselves. Not only will you make it possible for me to be a volunteer, but you will also be able to see directly how your funds are being used. I am going to be documenting my journey through photos, videos, and articles, so you can check in to see how your money is making a difference.
Organizer
