You have something to give
>> 11 May 2010
Do you have a dream? Like riding a firetruck? Or swimming with dolphins?
Do you have something to give? Like time to volunteer?
Then your dream may come true soon. Check out below video:
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Help Haiti Blog Challenge - sequel
>> 28 January 2010
Dear readers,
Thank you for supporting the challenge and spreading the word.
The items you ordered are shipped and should be with you shortly.
I hope you liked them.
I have just donated 150 euros to both the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders.
Thank you for your generosity.
M
Help Haiti Blog Challenge
>> 18 January 2010
I have Haiti on my mind.
I read Aidan's blog post and surfed on over to the blog challenge that triggered her post.
I found the idea creative - and you know I like creative ideas, and especially the ones that have a link to charity.
Today I have decided to participate.
Until 31st January 2010:
- for each person that places an order on my Red Bubble,
- for each person that places an order on my friend Sabine's Red Bubble,
You can buy a simple card at 2,73 euros, prints or framed prints. Your order decides the amount I will donate. On top of that, you will soon be the owner of a fabulous piece of art.
- Furthermore, whether you place an order or not, if you leave a comment to this post I will donate 2 euros to MSF.
*****
If you want to participate yourself in the Help Haiti Challenge, please read instructions below and visit the site:
- Sign up for the Help Haiti Blog Challenge. Write about it on your blog and tag it “Help Haiti Blog Challenge“. Ask your people to join you and do the same.
- Add the Help Haiti Blog Challenge badge to your blog.
- Make your offer: I will donate ________ dollars to _________ on behalf of the next person who buys _________ from me.
- Make your donation and tell us how much you donated.
- Tweet about it using the hashtag #haitiblogchallenge. Update your facebook status with a request to pass on the message and the call to action. Send e-mails. Everywhere you are, online, talk about the Help Haiti Blog Challenge, tag it, and call your friends, family, colleagues – your people – to action.
Blog for cause: A world without breast cancer
>> 29 October 2009
I am sure you know someone who has or has had cancer. Maybe that person was a family member, maybe a friend. Maybe that person is no longer with us, or maybe that person is fighting a daily, difficult battle.
I've had my share of such people. Most of them are gone now. Thinking about them keeps them alive. Doing something to support the search for a cure gives their death a purpose.
The Susan G. Komen foundation is the leading breast cancer movement in the world, working together with people from all reaches of the world, in search of a cure.
Today, you have the opportunity to help support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.
Lance from Jungle of Life and Joanna Sutter from Fitness and Spice have teamed up to create an e-book.
This is the collective effort of over 150 writers from throughout the world. Writers uniting together in a race for the cure.
Every one of these writers has contributed a favorite article to this e-book, creating a wonderful collection of stories. Stories of inspiration, personal growth, fitness, food, humor, and more.
Please visit the Susan G. Komen Blog-4-Cause website to learn how you can support the mission to end breast cancer. In addition, you'll find information on how to recieve this Blog-4-Cause E-book, our gift to you. A bonus e-book, from author and life coach Tim Brownson, is included as well.
There is much hope in a future filled with possibility. Together, we all can make a difference!
Read more...A world where every human being will be born from a well-educated woman
>> 25 March 2009
Social entrepreneur Ann Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of CAMFED International, tells Global X what happened when she ran into a young woman in Zambia, a 26-year old orphan who was responsible for her three siblings: "She was fearful she was HIV positive. She asked me to go with her to the clinic."
Listen to her as she also talks about the world in 2017, a world "where every human being will be born from a well-educated woman."
Happy Valentine's Day
>> 12 February 2009
Do you want to show someone you care this Valentine’s Day and help eliminate AIDS in Africa?
Visit the Hallmark/RED shop here.
Hallmark & (PRODUCT) RED have joined forces to create a Facebook application to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa.
The goal? See how far a card can go. Sign the card today, then send it on and see how you can personally make a difference.
Read more...A fistful of dollars: the story of a Kiva.org loan
>> 13 January 2009
In 2007 I discovered and wrote about what I think is one of the greatest charity ideas ever: KIVA.
Since then I have made loans, followed the development of the businesses I supported,been repaid and re-loaned the same money.
If you want to know what really happens behind the scene, I suggest you watch this very interesting video of one guy who followed a 25$ loan from beginning to end.
Very enlightening. Well, I'm off to the Kiva site now...
And if you want to help without giving money, you can go to the Small Things Challenge, click on a button and help donating 5 cents to the cause.
At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day, while 75 million children worldwide are not in school. By pooling surprisingly small investments, we can help to significantly improve educational access and economic development. It’s called The Small Things Challenge, and it’s a campaign based on the premise that every small action can make a big difference to ensure quality education and economic opportunity for all. We challenge you to join us in becoming a part of the solution. Your help will make a difference. Read more...
EU's bureaucracy keeps money away from developing countries
>> 13 November 2008
A recent Reuters article mentioned a European Commission proposal to give 1 billion Euros that are left over from the European budget to struggling farmers in the developing world.
The article continues:"But the proposal has run into trouble as European Union lawmakers and governments said the bloc's executive did not choose the right budgetary procedure."
Is the political process just an excuse? Do you think people in developing countries care that the EU is bogged down in bureaucracy and worry about which budget this should be booked under?
Read more at One.org and help getting this money directed into the right hands by joining ONE and sending a letter to your country's leader.
Read more...
In the name of love: Africa celebrates U2
>> 9 November 2008
I just discovered this wonderful album "In the name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2
Produced by Shawn Amos and Paul Heck, In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 features Grammy Award-winning/nominated African artists as well as top up-and-coming talents including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Tour, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Initially inspired by his work in South Africa while running the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation, Amos re-entered the music industry with a heartfelt initiative to cultivate greater awareness of the emerging socio-economic success stories happening within many of the country's regions. Amos, a longtime fan of U2, witnessed Bono's direct philanthropic impact via the launch of the ONE campaign and (RED), and his poignant outspoken public commentary on the immediate financial needs facing Africa.
1. Angelique Kidjo “Mysterious Ways"
2. Vieux Farka Tour “Bullet The Blue Sky"
3. Ba Cissoko “Sunday Bloody Sunday"
4. Vusi Mahlasela “Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"
5. Tony Allen “Where The Streets Have No Name"
6. Cheikh L “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
7. Keziah Jones “One"
8. Les Nubians “With Or Without You"
9. Soweto Gospel Choir “Pride (In The Name Of Love)"
10. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars “Seconds"
11. African Underground All-Stars Featuring Chosan, Optimus & Iyoka “Desire"
12. Waldemar Bastos “Love Is Blindness"
If you are a U2 fan or a fan of African music, this is a must buy. Read more...
Ask European leaders to dedicate funds to African agriculture.
>> 17 October 2008
If you are a U2 fan, I'm sure you have as Bono is its co-founder. Watch Bono's appearance on CNN.
I just signed a petition to support an innovative plan to use extra money from the EU budget to support African farmers. I hope that you'll join me in taking action here.
We've seen aid achieve some amazing things in recent years - like over 29 million more children in school for the first time, and over 2 million more Africans with access to AIDS medications. But we must recognize the ongoing hunger crisis for the obstacle that it is and work to overcome it if we hope to continue our success. Europe can lead the way right now by giving African agriculture the support it needs.
Read more...
A little help goes a long way in Nepal
>> 27 June 2008
Julie, a young student from Ghent (Belgium) traveled as a volunteer to Kathmandu in 2005. This trip has changed her life and made her invest her time into improving children's lives who for some reason cannot be raised by their parents.
The children find a new home in the Freedom Children Welfare Center where they are taken care of and educated.
Check out their sunny smiles and let them convince you to contact Julie for a small donation.
Read more...
It takes a village to raise a child - African proverb
>> 27 March 2008
ANGALEO is the first cinema for children that travels around the world.
The Heger family: mom, dad and 3 boys (aged 2, 4 and 5), will travel around the world starting in September this year. In a 14 ton truck. Their goal is to show cartoons to children all over the world. To make them dream for a while.
You can be part of their voyage. For 10 euros your picture will be taped to the side of their truck and travel with them for 3 years and 150.000 kilometers. And you can win a trip to South Africa at the same time.
Check out their website and travel with them.
Read more...One of the greatest disservices you can do a man is to lend him money that he can't pay back - Jesse Holman Jones
>> 26 November 2007
Well, here's an occasion, where someone you lend money to CAN pay you back.
Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org (this is the Kiva blog), you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.
The founders were recently featured on the Oprah show, NBC's Today Show and in Bill Clinton's book Giving. Apparently the effect of this promotion was so overwhelming that all open loans were covered within a few days. So they really don't need me to make them known...
But then again, when I first heard about this idea I thought it just wonderful. It is in line with Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank he created who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year. Microcredits are such a simple idea that I wonder why it took so long to grow.
I find stories about people helping people with small means and efforts much more inspiring than say the big Unicefs or the likes. Don't get me wrong, they need to exist too and Kiva too will probably grow to become a major help organisation one day. With the difference that here people are connected with people, get feedback on the help they provided and that just makes it all much more real. It's like really being there with the needy person and handing him the money and advice.
That is why, whenever I donate money, I tend to favour causes that are small, local, where I know someone or where I know where the money is going to.
Life is a zoo in a jungle - Peter de Vries
>> 29 October 2007
Recently I read about a charity which I thought was a very worthy cause. It helps single parents with a lifesthreatening disease. Single parents already have a tough time getting by when things are rosy. A lifethreatening or terminal disease can however very quickly swing a person out of its wellorganised hinges and it seems that the support is not sufficient at all. All the money goes into the treatment and no money is left to turn the few 'normal' moments with the kids into blissful memories.
When I first read about it, the initiative touched me greatly. I am not a single parent, but I can imagine what you go through as a couple if something like cancer for example happens to you. As a single parent you have to fight this alone and worry about your kids three times as much.
I wanted to support the cause - but as it happens so often, you go to bed and things are forgotten the next morning.
Yesterday I read the same weekly magazine and come across some sad news about the charity: the founder has died. Tears sprung to my eyes and I immediately wondered what was going to happen to her children.
When you have children yourself such stories obviously hit home and you wonder what if...
My other half left for a two-week business trip this morning and I hate it. I know planes are safer than cars or crossing the road, but still. What if...
So hug your loved ones all the time, tell them you love them even if you are going to see them again tonight. Just in case you might not.
And today I will wire some money to the charity before I go to sleep and forget about it.
The charity is called WONDERFONDS and the site is in Dutch only. But I am sure if you write an email to them in English they'd be happy for any kind of support.
Read more...
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime - Chinese proverb
>> 6 September 2007
Today I guess is the day I need to talk about wonderful women. After the tractor journey to the South Pole, here is the story of another initiative. A colleague of mine told me about his daughter Mirjam's (founder of the Tara Initiative) travel to Nepal to start work with local orphanages. Tara's initiative is special because it does not simply build an orphanage, but goes furher toward the root of the problem.
Now you can't change the country, but you can change the people and by building a training center to teach orphanage personnel in areas such as hygiene, financial management and pedagogy, the Tara Initiative makes sure that typical problems of local orphanages can be dealt with by the local personnel.
Research in Katmandu's orphanages showed that:
- On average there are 27 children in an orphanage and 3-4 adults work there who are on average 27 years old
- In 80% of the orphanages there is no running water - in 96% there is no shower. No orphanage has sufficient toilets and beds.
- The orphanages have few medecines at their disposal and medical knowledge and administration are minimal.
- 93% of respondents say that they would like to follow a training - a mere 3% say they can pay for it.
- 81% says they have a need for exchange of experience with other orphanage workers and another 36% say they would like to meet people from other orphanages.
The Tara Initiative tries to improve the situation of the orphanage workers who will in turn be more capable of helping the children in need.
And as the Chinese proverb says, teaching someone something, instead of just giving it to him, gets a lifetime reward.
Links:
Read more...On a tractor to the South Pole
So one day you wake up with a plan to make a journey. To the end of the world. And where would that be? The South Pole. And to do things completely out of the ordinary, why not make this journey on a tractor?
Manon Ossevoort has done it. She started her journey in the summer of 2005 leaving The Netherlands and has since travelled all the way to Africa from where, after a short break, she will resume her journey at the beginning of October.
Besides the fun (?) of driving around in a tractor, Manon's goal is also to give attention to special projects of Non Governmental Organisations such as War Child, Unicef and small local initiatives which deserve attention because they show faith, courage, endurance and love. With her journey Manon wants to involve and inspire and generate a lot of positive engery.
On her way she collects dreams and wishes of people she meets which she plans on planting in the belly of a big snowman at the South Pole.
Links:
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