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Givology Staff's Posts

• Let’s Build The Be Social Change Makers Institute

  Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 06:50:48 PM by Givology Staff

  Today many aspiring and socially minded professionals and entrepreneurs striving for success possess a strong desire for community growth and social awareness. In that light a void has been identified: how and what steps should these individuals should take to create positive growth? Two years ago Marcos Salazar and Allie Mahler partnered to found [url=http://www.besocialchange.com]Be Social Change[/url] to provide a support network to harness resources for social entrepreneurs and change makers. Since its inception the organization has empowered members through large-scale panels and workshops, interactive networking events, and resource-sharing tools. Seeking to expand their impact they have identified education and skill building to be the most important guides to building a foundation for individuals as well as small businesses and non-profits to be a positive force for social impact. The newly established [url=http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-build-the-be-social-change-makers-institute]Makers Institute[/url] seeks to fill that void by using a non-traditional education program to equip those seeking social change.
  
  Starting in June the Makers Institute partnered with the [url=http://www.nyc.socialinnovation.org]Centre for Social Innovation[/url] will commence classes in NYC with plans to take the educational experience global by partnering with [url=http://www.schoology.com/home.php]Schoology[/url] to make classes available online in August. The Makers Institute differs drastically from the collegial style of learning not only in content and format, but also in affordability and availability. The institute will fill a hole left by current education sources, which possess limited social entrepreneurship programs that are unaffordable to most who wish to engage in social change. By providing access to everyone with a desire to learn at their own pace how to be a positive impact through social change, Makers can eliminate the educational barriers and provide the necessary training for today’s change makers.
  
  The Makers Institute will offer a curriculum of foundation classes addressing core factors involved in social entrepreneurship and then structuring a format to apply those passions for good. With that basis the student can pursue specific coursework in social entrepreneurship, social intrapreneurship, civic innovation or continued learning. Each specification offers a different track given a person’s career desires with the greater vision of equipping people from all careers and backgrounds with the foundation and know how to build the next generation of socially conscious businesses, scalable non-profits, and impact-driven professionals.
  
  As Makers expands over time it plans to track the students’ impacts both domestically and internationally using measurable perimeters as well as peer feedback through workshops and networking events. By using this vital information Makers will be able to scale out the organization to have physical Institutes across the globe so that everyone will have access to the guides to become a socially impacting leader. The greatest concern for Makers at this time is to be able to keep up with the demand and provide this vital service to people around the world. To learn more about the Makers Institute and/or Donate please visit: [url=http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-build-the-be-social-change-makers-institute]Let's Build The Be Social Change Makers Institute[/url]
  
• La Vallee Project to Build a New Library

  Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 01:40:04 AM by Givology Staff

  In Haiti, few children wake up early one morning and begin to prepare to go to school. After walking anywhere from one to three hours on the well-worn roads, they reach the school building and take a seat on a brick wall, right outside the entrance. The children pull out their books and then sit, waiting for class to start. They sit for a long time, never venturing inside the building, even after class begins, for they are not enrolled in any of the classes. Their families could not afford to pay for their education, but they enjoyed feeling involved and wait outside the school building day after day.
  In the beautiful rural area of La Vallee de Jacmel, Haiti, the average school tuition is $150 for each child every year. However, the average income of a family ranges from $300 to $500 a year, which leaves more than 2500 children unable to attend school each year. A fairly new organization, La Vallee Alliance, started three years ago with a determination to give every child in La Vallee de Jacmel access to a quality education. With open lines of communication between the community and the organization, 97% of funds go directly to programs that the leaders of the community themselves approve and offer their own perspectives to in order to ensure effectiveness.
  Through the partnership with the community, the organization has achieved much since its launch. Their accomplishments include the support of 237 student scholarships in 12 different schools and the sponsorship of an interscholastic competition that resulted in a 60% increase in test scores on national exams. The most recent project the group is undertaking is the community library of La Vallee. There is one sole library for a population of 40,000, which has no electricity, funding, and is poorly equipped with dusty encyclopedias and dictionaries, some of which date back to the 19thcentury. A spokesperson for La Vallee Alliance, Kim Burnett, “wants the library to be a center of learning” for the community. Marcy Rehberger, the co-founder of the organization, envisions the library as a way to “open up the world” to the kids.
  The plans for the renovation of the library includes the installation of solar panels, computers, and lavatories. An initial shipment of books already has children lining up outside the door, eager to get their hands on the books to read, forcing the volunteer librarians to limit each child one book for one week. “At one time there were as many as 70 kids in the library,” reports Antonica Payen, a resident of Haiti and representative of La Vaille Alliance. There are hopes that in addition to books, Internet connection will also widen the perspectives of the children and give the community the tools to improve their own communities.
  Every move that La Vallee Alliance makes is focused on making the community of Haiti stronger and self-sufficient. The books for the library are even purchased in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in the effort to stimulate the economy and avoid taking away business from the country. The group is currently fundraising for the library with the hopes that it will become a gateway for education, with further plans for ESL and literacy classes. More information can be found at their website: [url=http://www.lahaiti.org/]www.lahaiti.org[/url].
  The link to their project is: http://www.givology.org/~lvclibrary/
  
• Bridging the Gap: Internet and Education in Developing Countries

  Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 11:53:17 PM by Givology Staff

  [b]Bridging the Gap: [/b]
  [b]Internet and Education in Developing Countries[/b]
  
  It has become a widely accepted philosophy that education is fundamental to the alleviation of poverty and the fastest way to connect people in the developing countries to educational sources is via the Internet. These hi-tech growths that have taken place in developed countries are the link that if utilized properly could provide the developing nations with the means to break the barriers of poverty and advance both socially and economically. Therefore it is imperative for the technologically advanced and developed world to make the influx of Internet based education available to those in the developing world. With the start of [url=http://www.coursera.org]Coursera[/url] in April 2012 and other online educational formats like [url=https://education.skype.com]Skype in the classroom[/url] made available, not to mention the vast information accessible on the Internet the opportunities for education would become unhindered by broad access.
  
  The first step to bridging the gap lies in providing adequate infrastructure in developing countries to sustain the delivery of Internet based technology and education formats. Although advances have been made in the developing world to provide limited Internet access through systems such as mobile devices to supplant conventional computers there are inadequacies that include memory, speed, content accessibility, network formats, information browsing, and content design. The need lies in providing not only dial up access to all developing states but also creating an infrastructure that can provide faster and more reliable connections to not only the cities, but also the villages.
  
  It has been shown that when regions, countries and communities are given availability to Internet based information that their knowledge provides both small-scale growth and the stepping-stones towards future economic development and advancement. While we all take easy access to the Internet for granted, the impoverished have little knowledge of its capabilities. If provided to the impecunious technology can be the “Trojan horse” that breaks the cycle of poverty and bridges the gap between the developed and undeveloped countries.
  
  Givology projects such as expanding the [url=http://www.givology.com/~lvclibrary/]La Vallee Community Library[/url] in Haiti to attain computer access for the 62 rural schools it supports and providing 200 students [url=http://www.givology.com/~ctfthsotagouako/]Computer Training for the High School of Tori Agou[/url] in Benin are building blocks to bridge the educational experience between the developed and underdeveloped worlds. These steps are among many synergized in the effort to alleviate the constraints that poor infrastructure cause. It is through these increments that we will be able to lead by example displaying how small changes shape and impact the cause for universal education and the endgame of conquering poverty.
  
  [b][i]For more information:[/i][/b]
  [url=http://www-cs-faculty.stanford.edu/~eroberts/cs181/projects/third-world/index.html]The Impact of the Internet on Developing Countries[/url]
  [url=http://oti.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/MobileLeapfrogging_Final.pdf]Mobile Leapfrogging and Digital Divide Policy[/url]
  [b][i]To Donate to a Student or Project:[/i][/b]
  [url=http://www.givology.com/giv-now/]GIV Now[/url]
  
• Dinner Series

  Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 03:05:37 AM by Givology Staff

  [font=Helvetica]Givology hosted its first inaugural dinner series event last Thursday evening. The intent for our dinner gatherings are to meet like-minded people, and to engage in meaningful conversation. For each event, we invite a special guest to join us. Last week, Haley Priebe, Director of Campus Engagement at 10x10, joined the table to discuss the inspiration behind the organization's new film, '[/font][url=http://gathr.us/films/Girl-Rising]Girls Rising[/url][font=Helvetica]'. For those who have yet to see it (and we strongly encourage you do), the film tells the stories of 9 girls, from different areas around the world.[/font]
  [font=Helvetica]The venue we chose for the dinner was a low-key European wine and tapas bar, tucked away in the Lower East Side. In fact, a few of the guests unknowingly passed the restaurant on their way over, as the signage is faint (if at all). Inside, there was a large wooden table in the far back, which we reserved for the evening. The table fit thirteen people perfectly, and left more than enough space for the many orders of delicious French wine and tasty plates of empanadas, "grilled cheese bikinis", and more.[/font]
  [font=Helvetica]The conversation was thoughtful and engaging. Everyone was tuned in to Haley and her story, and enjoyed discussing and sharing ideas about Girls Rising. The gathering was what we hoped it would be: great people partaking in meaningful conversation, some of which included sharing thoughtful ideas about making the film an even greater success than we already know it will be. [/font]
  [font=Helvetica]Cheers! [/font]
  
• Goennounce

  Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 09:19:58 PM by Givology Staff

  [i]Dream It. Share It. Live It.[/i]
  In the world of creating change, innovation means everything. Once you find the passion for a cause, the success of your mission may all depend on how creatively you pursue it. GoEnnounce (www.goenounce.com), a newly started education crowd-funding platform, has plenty of that.
  First started in 2009 by sisters Melissa and Meghan Davis as a graduation announcement platform, it has since then evolved into a fundraising platform for educational projects. GoEnnounce allows students to harness the power of social media to crowd-fund for their educational expenses (tuition for college and summer camps, school supplies, etc.). On GoEnnounce.com, students utilize their “Student Page” to connect with potential supporters and keep such supporters updated on their academic progress. Students receive, through such connections, encouragement, rewards, and donations for their academic successes. Through creating a “Mission,” they may also ask for donations to achieve educational goal or participate in a particular educational activity.
  Educational expenses have continuously become more and more unmanageable for the average American family—especially in the tough economic times of the recent few years. GoEnnounce directly addresses this new issue through harnessing the collective energy of family, friends, and even kind strangers, to allow students to pursue their education dreams. Thus, GoEnnounce just may revolutionize education.
  
• International Women's Day

  Friday, March 8, 2013 at 02:51:57 AM by Givology Staff

  International Women’s Day was started over a century ago to unite the cause for women’s rights globally and make sure that fifty percent of the world’s population was being heard. We continue to celebrate this day, not only to recognize the strides women have made but to make sure we don’t forget about the challenges still ahead. Unfortunately, there are plenty of reminders in the news that we still have a long way to go to reach gender equality even in the first world. And while there are continuing stories of hope, we also have to remember that there are places in the world where young women and girls do not know that they are being celebrated on March 8th.
  These are the girls that we should be talking about. The ones who are struggling to support their families, who desperately want an education but either aren’t allowed or can’t afford it. The girls who are abused and have no legal recourse because violence has been normalized into their culture. These girls who grow up to be women with daughters, who want to give them better lives but don’t know how. We cannot forget about them, today or any other day.
  Givology is working with partners who are trying to change this status quo. The Sri Lankan organization Emerge Global helps reintegrate girls who have suffered abuse from their families into society. Starfish One-By-One, located in Guatemala, focuses on mentoring Mayan girls who normally would be left behind in the education system. More Than Me Foundation works to educate girls in Liberia who are at risk of being sexually exploited. These are just a few of the organizations who are continuing to put the rights of women and girls first in places where they have been forgotten.
  These organizations believe that through educating one girl at a time, we can work toward global gender equality. And we believe this too. Our gift to everyone today is a free download of our book A Guide to Giving, which details the stories from these organizations and more. Learn more about how individuals are improving the lives of girls and women all around the world. Then tells these stories to your family and friends. Remember these girls and celebrate them every day.[url=http://tinyurl.com/guidetogiving]
  [b]http://tinyurl.com/guidetogiving[/b][/url]
  
• Stories of Change Makers: Starfish One by One

  Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 06:11:58 AM by Givology Staff

  What's the story behind Starfish One by One? Check out a preview of the profile below, written by Michael Seong. The full version of [i]A Guide to Giving[/i] can be found at [url=http://www.amazon.com/A-Guide-to-Giving-ebook/dp/B00B46UV5I/]this link[/url]!
  ----
  One day a woman and her daughter were walking along the ocean when they observed thousands of starfish dotted on the beach. It was low tide, and the waves had carried in the starfish only to leave them stranded as the ocean receded. The mother sighed and turned away from the beach, wishing she could save all the helpless starfish. It was a few seconds before she noticed her daughter was missing by her side. She saw that her daughter was gently throwing one starfish after another back into the sea.
  
  “What are you doing?” the mother asked.
  
  “I’m helping the starfish,” the girl replied.
  
  “But there are so many, and you can’t possibly be thinking you can save them all.”
  
  The girl looked up at her mother with a smile before tossing another starfish back into the sea.
  
  “No, but I can save this one.”
  
  Exemplifying the belief that smaller groups of committed and thoughtful individuals can impact and better lives one “starfish” at a time, Starfish One-By-One (SOBO) is an organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for Mayan girls and their families in Guatemala.
  
  
  
• Maternal Health’s Impact on the Educational and Economic Growth In The Developing World

  Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 09:37:16 PM by Givology Staff

  Throughout the world maternal health is a key concern due to its drastic connections and effects on education as well as a country’s overall sustainability and economic development. Nowhere are the negative impacts of prenatal care access felt, than in the developing world. According to the World Health Organization, each day 800 women die while or after giving childbirth and 99% of those deaths occur in developing countries. These deaths generally occur because of severe bleeding (mainly bleeding after birth), infections (mainly after birth) and high blood pressure during the prenatal months. The factors leading to these avoidable deaths are poverty, lack of access to health care, lack of education and cultural practices. Maternal mortality rates are one of the peak indicators of a wealthy nation versus a poor nation and without increasing the health of mothers a nation has little hope to provide proper education and growth.
  The paradox is that without healthy mothers and children a country cannot grow economically, and without economic development a country cannot properly provide the education and health care that mothers and children need. Due to this the United Nations has prioritized maternal health as one of their millennium development goals. By providing reproductive care to everyone, the drastic effects of poor maternal health can be avoided and then the children can be properly cared for by healthy mothers who then can help the children gain access to education. With healthy children and mothers being educated the developing countries can have the chance to a brighter future through positively impacting the country’s economic needs and social advancement.
  Givology’s belief “that education is the single most important and sustainable resource for individual empowerment, community advancement, and poverty alleviation” collaborates with the need to increase the levels of maternal health across the globe. Without healthy mothers, children will not be encouraged to pursue education and break the destructive cycle of poverty. Organizations partnered with Givology like Emerge and Global Peace Exchange seek to increase maternal health through education, economic advancement and health services. Givology and Emerges’ efforts to [i]Empower Teen Survivors of Abuse with Education[/i] in Sri Lanka has given young expecting mothers the opportunity to learn jewelry making, then use it to build a healthy life that helps them grow out of poverty and support their child. Additionally, Givology and the Global Peace Exchange are partnered together to provide proper medical services and health education to children and adults in Entebbe, Uganda through the [i]Bright Kids Uganda Community Health Empowerment[/i] project. This project seeks not only facilitate proper health services, but also to provide education in order to make the medical services sustainable. These examples highlight the efforts of Givology to help combat poor maternal health through education, healthcare and economic advancement because without education and economic development, maternal health has little chance to be advanced in the developing world.
  [b]For more information:[/b]
  [url=http://www.unicef.org/sowc04/sowc04_maternal_health.html]UNICEF - The State of the World's Children[/url]
  [url=http://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/the-impact-maternal-mortality-and-morbidity-economic-development]Wilson Center -The Impact of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity on Economic Development[/url]
  [url=http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/maternal.shtml]United Nations Millennium Development Goals[/url]
  [url=http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs348/en/index.html]WHO - Maternal Mortality Fact Sheet[/url]
  
  [b][url=http://www.givology.com/giv-now/][i]Donate to a Givology student/project! [/i][/url][/b]
  
• Stories of Change Makers: Peach Foundation

  Friday, February 22, 2013 at 02:00:30 AM by Givology Staff

  What does giving mean to you? The profile below, written by Liu Jiang, highlights the development of the grassroots organization Peach Foundation, and explores reasons to give.
  ----
  In my sophomore year of high school, I joined Givology as an intern. Having been born in a developing nation, I searched for an organization that improved education in the part of the world where I came from. After months, I finally found Givology, a non-profit that truly cared about making giving easy and transparent. From development intern to Chapters Manager to now Chief Development Officer, my work with Givology has shaped my philosophy about social entrepreneurship and volunteerism. The stories from our partners and children have been my most rewarding experience. However, it was not until I spoke with Ruth Jeng of the Peach Foundation that I finally found the answer to what giving means to me.
  
  After her retirement in the Bay Area, Ruth Jeng started the Peach Foundation with the mission of enabling impoverished children in China to complete a college education. Her goal was to help students transcend the poverty cycle by promoting art, education, and community harvest. To date, her foundation has implemented the following programs: college loans, financial aid, small living loans, libraries, teacher training, summer camp, a medical fund, and a clothing fund.
  
  [url=http://www.amazon.com/A-Guide-to-Giving-ebook/dp/B00B46UV5I/]Click here to keep reading and buy Givology's book! [/url]All proceeds will go back to our grassroots partners.
  
• Stories of Change Makers: Rural China Education Foundation

  Monday, February 18, 2013 at 10:39:38 PM by Givology Staff

  Happy President's Day, Givologists! [i][url=http://www.amazon.com/A-Guide-to-Giving-ebook/dp/B00B46UV5I/]A Guide to Giving[/url] [/i]is free to download today- now's your chance!
  
  Below is a sneak peek written by Sungmin Sohn, who shares her travel experiences in China and profiles another one of our amazing partners, the Rural China Education Foundation.
  ----
  I spent eight weeks this past summer in Beijing, participating in the Duke Summer in China study abroad program. Although I spent most of my time studying Mandarin intensively, I was still given the opportunity to experience the daily life of a Beijingren as I drank the same boiled water and breathed the same polluted air as the Chinese locals. To my surprise, issues regarding lack of education and a sense of empowerment for young children, especially for those living in rural areas, were disturbingly prevalent. Social problems I witnessed in China were much graver and in need of immediate redress than I had ever imagined. From conversing with a local college student whom I was paired up with during my stay, I learned about the struggles many children have in China, along with the social and economic struggles that rural youth face while growing up.
  
  When I was asked to write about the Rural China Education Foundation after coming back from my summer program in Beijing, I was excited to learn more about the issue I had just witnessed while studying abroad. RCEF is an international non-profit that promotes education for students in rural areas, empowering them to improve both their lives and their living communities.
  
  
  
  A first grade student raises his hand in class. Students are encouraged to be active participants in learning and are evaluated by RCEF on their communication skills.
  

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