I am back from my looooooonngg hiatus, which I am going to call (and rightfully so as you will be informed upon my return from overseas) my sabbatical.
Yet, as I announce my return, I also must announce my departure for the Philippines. For two weeks I will be travelling with D&P on the solidarity trip with youth across Canada that we have been preparing for since the spring.
We will be learning about the work being done by partner organizations in the Philippines to help themselves out of poverty and towards governance.
Follow our blog while I'm there! And please keep our group and those we are connecting with in your hearts and minds.
First, our group comes together this weekend for Formation Sessions, in preparation for all this trip will bring to us, and what we will bring to it.
Then...
Vancouver --> Teipei --> Manila, here we come!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Prelude to Earth Day
Tomorrow is Earth Day and many of the communities we live in will be undertaking initiatives to support eco-friendly decisions. For example, free transit all day.
I honestly won't be doing anything extraordinarily different from what I do every day to reduce my carbon footprint - but perhaps sharing my current habits will give others ideas to adopt themselves not only for Earth Day tomorrow, but for every day:
I already take the bus or bike, or sometimes run.
I unplug all electronics when they are not in use.
I have a clean air plant in my room.
I use cloth bags.
I recycle, recycle, recycle.
and so on...
One thing extra that I will do tomorrow will not be an act of eco-justice. I will have a moringa tree planted on my behalf by
Trees for the Future
TFT is an organization that helps communities worldwide restore rural areas. They deliver agroforestry training and offer a seed distribution program to help communities protect their environment and preserve their livelihood and culture.
On Earth Day, TFT will plant a tree for me (and you too!) by visiting LaCoupe's website.
I honestly won't be doing anything extraordinarily different from what I do every day to reduce my carbon footprint - but perhaps sharing my current habits will give others ideas to adopt themselves not only for Earth Day tomorrow, but for every day:
I already take the bus or bike, or sometimes run.
I unplug all electronics when they are not in use.
I have a clean air plant in my room.
I use cloth bags.
I recycle, recycle, recycle.
and so on...
One thing extra that I will do tomorrow will not be an act of eco-justice. I will have a moringa tree planted on my behalf by
Trees for the Future
TFT is an organization that helps communities worldwide restore rural areas. They deliver agroforestry training and offer a seed distribution program to help communities protect their environment and preserve their livelihood and culture.
On Earth Day, TFT will plant a tree for me (and you too!) by visiting LaCoupe's website.
Monday, April 19, 2010
D&P and Me
What brings me to Development and Peace?
Development and Peace funds Youth Solidarity Trips to countries in the Global South as a means for youth interested in social justice to create solidarity with others.
Solidarity is
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarity)
This August, D&P is sending 10 Canadian youth (5 English, 5 Francophone) to the Philippines to learn about the conditions of poverty locals live with there, and what they are doing to bring themselves out of the injustices they face.
Youth Solidarity Trip Philippines 2010
As a member of this group, I will be a witness to these stories and bring them home to Canada to educate my fellow citizens on the realities of the Global South.
My commitment through this mission to act on Global Issues and communicate back to my own community in Canada is the
Development and Peace funds Youth Solidarity Trips to countries in the Global South as a means for youth interested in social justice to create solidarity with others.
Solidarity is
a unity of purpose or togetherness
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarity)
This August, D&P is sending 10 Canadian youth (5 English, 5 Francophone) to the Philippines to learn about the conditions of poverty locals live with there, and what they are doing to bring themselves out of the injustices they face.
Youth Solidarity Trip Philippines 2010
As a member of this group, I will be a witness to these stories and bring them home to Canada to educate my fellow citizens on the realities of the Global South.
My commitment through this mission to act on Global Issues and communicate back to my own community in Canada is the
heart of a global mind.
Meet D&P
I realize that I have not formally introduced what Development and Peace is about and what we do, so I present to you...
Development and Peace
The Canadian Catholic Organization of Development and Peace is an international development organization that supports the initiatives of individuals living in the Global South.
Inspired by Gospel values, D&P realizes
education
advocacy
fundraising
to keep Canadians informed of North-South issues and connect Canadians to the Global South through supporting the work of its partners there.
About Development and Peace
As I grow and immerse myself in the initiatives of D&P, I will share more and more about what sets D&P apart from other NGOs.
Development and Peace
The Canadian Catholic Organization of Development and Peace is an international development organization that supports the initiatives of individuals living in the Global South.
Inspired by Gospel values, D&P realizes
"the preferential option for the poorand engages in
education
advocacy
fundraising
to keep Canadians informed of North-South issues and connect Canadians to the Global South through supporting the work of its partners there.
About Development and Peace
As I grow and immerse myself in the initiatives of D&P, I will share more and more about what sets D&P apart from other NGOs.
My Weekend with Development and Peace
This past weekend I traveled to Sorrento, B.C. to observe the Development and Peace B.C. Regional Meeting. It was an opportunity for me to connect with the key players and supporters in B.C. and dig deeper into the heart of this organization.
I met members from all 6 of the Diocesan Council in B.C., as well as staff of D&P (both from the B.C. region and my home(!) region of Ontario, AND including two other youth. I listened in and took so many notes on ideas and opportunities I could see myself grasping as my personal work for the organization.
And so...
As well...
Thus, I am learning and taking on new challenges for this organization and myself.
I met members from all 6 of the Diocesan Council in B.C., as well as staff of D&P (both from the B.C. region and my home(!) region of Ontario, AND including two other youth. I listened in and took so many notes on ideas and opportunities I could see myself grasping as my personal work for the organization.
And so...
My own Strategic Plan for how I will educate, advocate, and fundraise for D&P is now beginning to form.
As well...
My own Voice is starting to ring through.I responded to the invitation to contribute to conversations, as well as the challenge to bring my own thoughts to the table. The big one for me was contributing my own Flip! for the video that will be presented at an assembly for the organization in June - I knew this was something I had to do as a new youth for D&P, and that this form of expression is a behaviour that effective leaders exhibit.
Thus, I am learning and taking on new challenges for this organization and myself.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Clothesline
My fundraising efforts for Development and Peace have begun. The first goal is to reach at least $1200 to cover the costs of my Exposure Trip to the Philippines. The second plan is to not stop there. All funds raised above that mark will continue to go to Development and Peace's efforts for preferential options for the poor.
Fundraising Effort #1: The Clothesline Program of the Canadian Diabetes Association
Clothesline
A huge task but with a double outcome.
From this fundraising I will be giving individuals the opportunity to address two issues:
Issue 1
By donating their reusable clothing to the Clothesline Program they divert carbon waste that would have been created from clothing that would have been dumped in Canadian landfills.
Issue 2
In return for clothing, Clothesline donates $2 per 23lb(65L) bag of clothing to Development and Peace on my behalf. So individuals give more as they also ultimately support D&P's work to educate Canadians on social justice issues in the Global South.
So Thursday I put the wheels in motion, distributing 111 flyers to my community.
By the time I had even made it home for my distributing work-out I had also already received several responses from friends who will be donating their used clothing to me. It's a fantastic feeling when someone responds to a call that matters - an opportunity to learn while giving. Facebook messages and emails were my form of communication sent early that morning.
I have become their solution to disposing of their used clothing. A great alternative to a last resort that would have been a landfill.
And so begins the collection countdown. Can I do it? 600 bags to go.
Fundraising Effort #1: The Clothesline Program of the Canadian Diabetes Association
Clothesline
A huge task but with a double outcome.
From this fundraising I will be giving individuals the opportunity to address two issues:
Issue 1
By donating their reusable clothing to the Clothesline Program they divert carbon waste that would have been created from clothing that would have been dumped in Canadian landfills.
Issue 2
In return for clothing, Clothesline donates $2 per 23lb(65L) bag of clothing to Development and Peace on my behalf. So individuals give more as they also ultimately support D&P's work to educate Canadians on social justice issues in the Global South.
So Thursday I put the wheels in motion, distributing 111 flyers to my community.
By the time I had even made it home for my distributing work-out I had also already received several responses from friends who will be donating their used clothing to me. It's a fantastic feeling when someone responds to a call that matters - an opportunity to learn while giving. Facebook messages and emails were my form of communication sent early that morning.
I have become their solution to disposing of their used clothing. A great alternative to a last resort that would have been a landfill.
And so begins the collection countdown. Can I do it? 600 bags to go.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
DYEing for a Cause
Spent my Friday afternoon, relaxation time from exam studies, participating in a fundraiser whose proceeds would go to a local effort.
For $10.00, I tie dyed my very own, and very first, t-shirt. Something I've always wanted to do.
And finally, I got to do it, with an even greater outcome.
For $10.00, I also got to help the St. Vincent de Paul Social Concern Center (in Victoria) to continue its poverty relief efforts.
St. Vincent de Paul Victoria
A local act of kindness in collaboration with other like-minded university students.
Pretty sweet.
For $10.00, I tie dyed my very own, and very first, t-shirt. Something I've always wanted to do.
And finally, I got to do it, with an even greater outcome.
For $10.00, I also got to help the St. Vincent de Paul Social Concern Center (in Victoria) to continue its poverty relief efforts.
St. Vincent de Paul Victoria
A local act of kindness in collaboration with other like-minded university students.
Pretty sweet.
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