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Name: Christen
Country: United States
State: Illinois
Metro: Chicago
Birthday: 1/26/1987
Interests: international cultures and development. people.
Expertise: Procrastination. Sleeping in. Knowing what's wrong but not having solutions. Pointing out cliches. Last minute decisions. Changing my mind. Wanting to do too many things at one time.
Occupation: ummmm....Im a server.
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  ComfortRain
Member Since:
8/2/2005
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As most of you know, I spent five months in Ghana last year on a Liberian refugee camp known as Buduburam Camp. If you don't know anything about the Liberian refugees, click here. I worked primarily with a small organization called Children Better Way. During my first month, I volunteered in the micro-loan program, the HIV/AIDS program and in the primary school as well as the upper-primary school. After my first month, I focused most of my attention on my responsibilities in the school as well as on tutoring. But it wasn't all work and no play....I made some very close friends in those 5 months! I tried to spend as much time wandering the camp, talking with old women, young children, even groups of guys, my age--in their 20's, who have seen more and endured more than anybody I have ever met. These people put faces and names and emotion behind the statistics I'd read before going to africa. They inspired me. Even with so much need, they smile. Even though it seems like the world is ignoring them, they dance. I want nothing more than to help people like them in a tangible, sustainable way. I have the passion. I have the motivation. I need the skills. I got accepted into the Be The Change Program, created and run by Global Volunteer Network, but I need your HELP! I will be using my personal savings and I have been working hard to raise the funds needed to take up this opportunity to help others. If you are able to help support me financially in some way it would be greatly appreciated. My program fee to participate is $997 US dollars. In addition to this, I need to pay for my airfares, entry visa, vaccinations and insurance. Airfare will run between $1900 and $2200. I would appreciate any donations you can give to enable me to take on the challenge of helping others in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the program. I would like to take this time to thank you for considering helping me in this worthy cause. Your financial aid will enable me to participate in an experience which will HELP ME HELP THEM. Linksglobal volunteer network www.volunteer.org.nzBe The Change Program http://www.volunteer.org.nz/newzealand/be_the_change/1209703461000
About the Global Volunteer Network
The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) was launched in December 2000 by Colin Salisbury, its Founder and Executive Director, after spending time volunteering in Ghana, West Africa. While he was there he saw the tremendous difference volunteers could make in helping local organisations achieve their goals. Upon returning to New Zealand he spent some time researching the different volunteer organisations around the world and was amazed at how expensive and limiting many programs were in terms of volunteer opportunities.
Colin has extensive volunteer experience both locally and internationally with time spent in Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and Thailand. His background in Community Development and achieving a Masters in International Development has enabled him to provide challenging and affordable volunteer opportunities around the globe.
The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a private, Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our incorporation number is: WN/1194442.
GVN currently has volunteer positions available through our partner organisations in Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, USA, and Vietnam. The network continues to expand with new programs currently being researched and assessed.
The number of people volunteering through GVN continues to grow. In 2002 we placed 240 volunteers, and in 2007 we placed almost 2000 volunteers. Our goal for 2008 is to place 2500 volunteers.
We also offer fundraising hikes to allow an active role in raising funds for communities in need. We currently have hikes planned to Mt. Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu, and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
1209702291000
What is Be The Change?
Global Volunteer Network, the organization that connected me to Buduburam Camp in Ghana, is offering a week long, intensive training course entitled "Be The Change: A Six Day Intensive Course Designed to Develop the Skills You Need to Make a Difference." I applied for this program, after months of looking into internships, volunteer opportunities, schools, classes, seminars and everything else you could imagine! I was accepted last week and I am really excited! They only accept 6 people each year! The Be The Change Course is designed to take your idea, or dream and give you the skills and confidence you need to make it a reality. The participants of this week long program will work each day with Founder and CEO of Global Volunteer Network, Colin Salisbury. Each day Colin, and his staff, will take you through a workshop designed to give you the skills you need to return to your community and make a difference. Workshops vary depending on the needs of the group but could include:
- Communications- What is your message and who is your audience?
- Project Management- How to plan large and small events.
- Fundraising- How to raise money for your cause.
- Social Enterprise vs. Nonprofit- Who's doing what?
- Public Speaking/Presenting Yourself- How to get out there confidently.
- Accounting- How to keep track of your finances.
- Website Production- Get online.
- Marketing: How to Tell Your Story
- Skill/Passion Identification- How are you wired?
- Running a Campaign- How to get people behind your cause.
- Leadership- Servant Leadership Skills.
If I can raise the funds for this trip, I will be living in the 'Be The Change' house, on the periphery of Lake Taupo, with 6-7 other socially minded individuals from all over the world. After workshops each day Colin, and his staff, will
- Work with the group on further developing their ideas and putting them in action.
- Show the group some of the most stunning and hidden secrets of New Zealand's Lake Taupo Region
After leaving this program it is my goal to leave with the skills and confidence I need to "Be The Change" in Liberia. | | |
| things change so fast. SO fast. I cant keep up.
but then again, it seems there are a lot of things that will never change.
As for me, I dont know. Im the same, and im different....but Im still here, in ohio. I have a lot of plans, some more thought out than others, but ill keep them to myself for now. Who knows where I'll end up.
I miss africa so badly sometimes i'm afraid my anxiety attacks are going to come back.
yeah. I dont know why im on this. I dont know if anybody does xanga anymore. But if you are reading this, there's a good chance I miss you alot.
alright. peace out. | | |
| e v e r y t h i n g fell apart. ssssoooooo fast.
but, im on my own now. for now. i dont know how long. I dont know what will happen. but im going to figure some things out in this next 6 months. and I am going to start writing again. honestly. I think that will help. soon Ill post a link to a different blog. an honest one.
ummmmm.
yeah.
peace and love. | | |
| anyone in chicago looking for a roommate? | | |
| Maybe, if my heart stops beating,
it wont hurt this much
And never will i have to
answer again to anyone
Please don't get me wrong
Because i'll never let this go,
but i can't find the words to tell you
I don't want to be alone
but now i feel like i don't know you
One day you'll get sick of
saying that everything's alright,
And by then i'm sure i'll be pretending
just like i am tonight
Please don't get me wrong
Because i'll never let this go,
but i can't find the words to tell you
I don't want to be alone
but now i feel like i don't know you
___________________________
dont worry. this doesnt mean its over. it just means it feels, most of the time, like it never really happened.
___________________________
'Could you remind me of a time when we were so alive
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
(Everything has changed)
'Could you help me push aside all that I have left behind
(Everything has changed)
Do you remember that? Do you remember that?
So we stand here now and no one knows us at all
I won't get used to this
I won't get used to being gone
And going back won't feel the same if we aren't staying
Going back to get away after everything has changed
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