It is vital that we educate and empower our children if we are
to protect them, to enable them to protect themselves when adults around them
fail to do so. To give them a voice, to speak up and speak out about childhood
sexual abuse...
To understand that they are not at fault and that its ok to tell
someone, to be protected.
Erin's activism is an inspiration, energy, passion an honesty I
admire. In her own words...
"Growing up in Illinois public schools every year I was
educated with my classmates on tornado drills, fire drills, bus drills,
stranger danger, and learned the 8 ways to say "NO" to drugs through
D.A.R.E.
As a child I never had to take cover because of a real tornado.
I never had to stop, drop, and roll or run out of a burning building. I never
had to evacuate a school bus due to an emergency, but I had the knowledge to
know what to do if any of those situations happened.
Where was the drill on how to escape a child molester? Where was
the lesson plan on sexual abuse, safe touches, and safe secrets? It never came.
I was not educated on “How to Tell Today or How to Get Away.”
I was never educated on “My Body Belongs to Me.”
Empowering our children is the key to protecting them and
helping them to protect themselves.
The Imagination Foundation's mission is to find, foster, and
fund creativity and entrepreneurship in kids.
The Imagination Foundation was formed by the creative team
behind Caine's Arcade, an 11-minute short film by Nirvan Mullick about a 9-year-old boy's cardboard arcade.
Posted online April, 9th,
2012, the film became a global phenomenon, receiving over 7 million views,
raising a scholarship fund for Caine, and inspiring a wave of cardboard
creativity around the world.
With the support of a matching challenge grant from the
Goldhirsh Foundation, we hit the ground running and started a Caine's Arcade
School Pilot Program, where over 100 schools in 9 countries used the film and
cardboard arcade building to teach kids math, science, engineering, art,
entrepreneurship, storytelling, creative thinking, and more. Our second
initiative is the Global Cardboard Challenge, a world-wide celebration of play,
creativity and community.
The Inspiration
Playing for Change is a multimedia movement
created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The
idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to
break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether
people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or
ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite
us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out
to share it with the world.
The Production
We built a mobile recording studio, equipped
with all the same equipment used in the best studios, and traveled to wherever
the music took us. As technology changed, our power demands were downsized from
golf cart batteries to car batteries, and finally to laptops. Similarly, the
quality with which we were able to film and document the project was gradually
upgraded from a variety of formats-- each the best we could attain at the
time—finally to full HD. One thing that never changed throughout the process
was our commitment to create an environment for the musicians in which they
could create freely and that placed no barriers between them and those who
would eventually experience their music. By leading with that energy and intent
everywhere we traveled, we were freely given access to musicians and locations
that are usually inaccessible. In this respect, the inspiration that originally
set us on this path became a co-creator of the project along with us!
The Effect
Over the course of this project, we decided it was
not enough for our crew just to record and share this music with the world; we
wanted to create a way to give back to the musicians and their communities that
had shared so much with us. And so in 2007 we created the Playing for Change
Foundation, a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to do
just that. In early 2008, we established Timeless Media, a for-profit entity
that funds and extends the work of Playing for Change.
Later that year, Timeless Media entered into a
joint venture with the Concord Music
Group through the support of label co-owner and entertainment legend
Norman Lear and Concord Music Group executive vice president of A&R John
Burk. Our goal is to bring PFC’s music, videos and message to the widest
possible audience. Now, musicians from all over the world are brought
together to perform benefit concerts that build music and art schools in
communities that are in need of inspiration and hope. In addition to benefit
concerts, the Playing for Change band also performs shows around the world.
When audiences see and hear musicians who have
traveled thousands of miles from their homes, united in purpose and chorus on
one stage, everyone is touched by music's unifying power. And now, everyone
can participate in this transformative experience by joining the Playing for
Change Movement. People are hosting screenings, musicians are holding benefit
concerts of every size, fans are spreading the message of Playing for Change
through our media, and this is only the beginning. Together, we will connect
the world through music!
The award-winning documentary film, #ReGENERATION, explores the
galvanizing forces behind the Occupy Movement and the state of social activism
in our society. The film takes an uncompromising look at the challenges facing
today’s youth and young adults as they attempt to engage on a myriad of social
and political issues.
Focused on how our education, parenting, and media can influence
us, the film follows three separate walks of life representing today’s
generation. Each brings their own unique perspective – from an inspired
collective of musicians working outside the corporate system, to a
twenty-something conservative family about to welcome the birth of their second
child, and a group of five high-school students from the suburbs looking for
their place in society. Their stories are interspersed with the knowledge,
wisdom, and personal reflections of some of the country’s leading scholars,
social activists, and media personalities, including Noam Chomsky, the late
Howard Zinn, Adbusters’ Kalle Lasn, Andrew Bacevich, Talib Kweli, and many
others.
Narrated by Ryan Gosling and featuring a riveting soundtrack
from STS9, the film explores how today’s generation approaches activism, how it
is impacted by technology, our disconnection with nature and history, our
consumer culture, and the economic factors holding many of us back from
becoming more active participants in our communities. Through a diverse and
intelligent series of stories, interviews and insights, we come to a deeper
understanding of the influences shaping our society. We have entered uncharted
territory, economically, environmentally, and intellectually–and we must look
honestly at ourselves to create a sustainable future.
You may already know that Peace One Day led the initiative to establish the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence, unanimously adopted by United Nations member states as 21 September – Peace Day. You may also know that we then proved that the day could work in areas of conflict, most notably in Afghanistan, where Peace Day agreements have led to the vaccination against polio of 4.5 million children in recent years. We are grateful to UNICEF, WHO, UNAMA and other UN agencies for making it a great success.
On Peace Day 2008 the UN Department for Safety and Security announced a 70% reduction in violent incidents in Afghanistan.
These successes and many others led Jeremy to launch the Global Truce 2012 campaign: what we hope will be the largest reduction of violence on one day – Peace Day 21 September 2012 – a world record; and the largest ever gathering of individuals in the name of peace.
That mass participation on Peace Day 2012 will be the key to the success of a Global Truce.
3 days left friends, I need to raise my funding goal to print the first run of A Girl in the World :-) I have this weekend left to do it' Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeee tell everyone, check out the finer details below, you may very well see that it is an initiative that you must support because the world needs all the good it can get...and A Girl in the World is 100% eco friendly children's book with my heart and soul in it, it's true! it's really, truly real and true...!
Click link below to order your copy of A Girl in the World
The world needs all and every which way we can get, make, create, and take to ensure and support awareness and understanding, kindness and care, for ourselves, each other and our environment...that's what A Girl in the World is all about, that and helping kids help kids and feel empowered to have and use their voice, energy and passion to make a positive difference in the world
By the way A Girl in the World already has a follow up book in the series being created, thank you everyone for you lovely support and encouragement I am ever grateful and thank you'
Our new school in the town of Samaya, Sierra Leone is our most remote and isolated project to date. In September 2011 we opened our classrooms up to over 150 children, providing them with a free primary education. Our school is the first of its kind in the area and gives children there an amazing opportunity to access school for the first time. The children come from the regions poorest homes, some being orphans or abandoned. During our time there it was evident that people really struggle to simply find enough food to survive, eating only once per day.
Giving to the Samaya Feeding Program will allow OrphFund to provide children with one large nutritional meal, our goal is to raise enough for every child in the school.
To do this we are asking people to spare just the smallest of sacrifices each month. For just $5 each month you can provide one child with a meal every day they go to school. This helps our children to learn but also takes away the burden that families have in the area to find enough food for their children.
This campaign is simple and direct, for every $5 given each month, one child we no longer sit at school hungry all day. And of course you can help more than one child if you can afford it!
How do I feed a child?
It will only take a few minutes to help feed a child in our Samaya School.
Our preferred method is through a bank transfer/bankers standing order. (This has no administrative cost) To do this you will need to either pop into your local bank or log into your netbanking and set up a regular payment to - See our bank details here. Please add SAMAYA FEEDING as a reference for your transaction.
Once this has been set up please send a confirmation email to orphfund@gmail.com We will then send you a thank you certificate in recognition of your support.
How your money is spent
100% of your donation will be sent every month to our school in Sierra Leone and help with the costs of feeding all of the children who attend.
To find out how you can support this wonderful initiative please visit
Thankyou you Dallas Clayton for your inspiration. I will be taking a leaf out of your book, so to speak...
Soon enough I will be releasing a children's book of my own and I look forward to sharing it.
It's been in the pipeline for some time and I will be sharing the details here, but for now check out Dallas Clayton and his wonderful story of dreams and inspiration, hope and tenacity.
A bold and wildly creative man indeed. Love your work and the way you carry it out and out into the world with such passion and joy'
We focus on empowering women and girls so that they can create and lead change in their communities. We believe that education and economic empowerment are vital when it comes to tackling the issues that women and girls face in Sierra Leone. We currently have two projects that we’re working on, Back to School Scholarships and LaunchPad. You can find out more about these projects below.
When a girl is educated, she’ll get married later and have fewer, healthier children. For every year she stays in school she’ll increase her income by at least 10%.
With the money she earns, she’ll invest 90% of it back into her family.
An educated girl becomes an educated woman.
A woman who ensures her children go to school, just like she did.
Educating a girl improves the local economy more than any other type of investment. Check out the girl effect video to your right to see it all in action.
You may already know that Peace One Day led the initiative to establish the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence, unanimously adopted by United Nations member states as 21 September – Peace Day. You may also know that we then proved that the day could work in areas of conflict, most notably in Afghanistan, where Peace Day agreements have led to the vaccination against polio of 4.5 million children in recent years.
We are grateful to Unicef, UNAMA and other UN agencies for making it a great success.
On Peace Day 2008 the UN announced a 70% reduction in violent incidents in Afghanistan.
These successes led Jeremy to launch the Global Truce 2012 campaign.
On Peace Day 21 September 2012, the day of Global Truce, we are asking the students of the world to mobilise in every country and make history. That mass participation on Peace Day 2012 will be the leverage needed to inspire governments to follow – it will be the key to the success of a Global Truce.
Behind the Palms - 10 years of SurfAid is a compilation of footage donated over the last decade,
highlighting SurfAid’s mission.
Since being founded in 2000, SurfAid’s programs in Indonesia have been saving thousands of lives in isolated communities in the Mentawai and Nias islands off West Sumatra. Programs include malaria prevention, water and sanitation, health and nutrition, and emergency preparedness to respond to events such as the 2010 tsunami.
Time will not erase me, nor will distance, indifference and denial…take from me all things outside of me and even all the parts of me you see, but you will never claim my soul. Cover my mouth and bind my hands but you will never silence me or hold me down for I am eternally free…inside of me there is a garden you will never enter, not with your force nor your brutality, you can bury my body but you will bury never my spirit...Inside of me there is a garden and I am eternally free...Melanie Lee, Artwork for Freedom Art Exhibition, Tap Gallery Darlinghurst in support of Amnesty International.
nature’s repetitive geometric patterns and organic lines.
Beastman's tightly detailed, often symmetrical paintings
depict a parallel world of hope and survival inhabited by his
beastlike yet beautiful and emotive characters.
These instantly recognisable and loveable deities have spawned from the elements of the earth, as if nature has come to life in a way we could never have imagined.
Free The Children's We Day is more than just one day of celebration and inspiration. We Day is the movement of our time - a movement of young people leading local and global change.
Harnessing the energy and passion of a young community of changemakers, We Day brings youth together in an unparalleled setting to show them that they are not alone in their journey to make a difference.
Within stadiums full of cheering young people, We Day brings some of the greatest social issues of today to the forefront, and - no matter the cause, no matter the issue - provides ways in which every young person can find their place within the movement to create global change.
“Left home at the age of seven/one year later I’m carryin’ an Ak-47.” For hip hop artist Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier in Sudan’s brutal civil war, these lyrics are hardly empty posturing. They are the bitter reality of a young man who was “forced to sin” but determined to “never give up and never give in.” Today, wounded but still hopeful, Emmanuel Jal fights a new battle: bringing peace to his beloved Sudan and building schools in Africa.
This time, his weapon is a microphone. See why audiences from New York to Berlin to London rave about the award-winning film, War Child, and have embraced the hip-hop artist with a terrifying past and a gentle soul. Interspersing original interviews, live concerts, and rare footage of Emmanuel Jal as a seven year-old boy, War Child will make viewers cry, laugh, dance, and celebrate the power of hope.
