Time flies!
The final deadline for raising funds for my trip fast approaches. Final payment for the Cambodia trip is due next Wednesday (yikes!). That's 7 days...
I feel like a final push will bring me over the hump, and I'm optimistic that this will happen without undue stress. However, to make sure I reach my goal, I'd like to invite you to my humble home for a fundraising party I'll dub:
SWEETS for the SWEET - Desert and Coffee for a Cause!
146 Verndale Ave
8:00 - 11:00 pm
401-383-7526
All are welcome. The goal of this brief gathering is to help John raise the remaining funds needed to get to Phnom Penh this summer. Guests are advised to bring the following:
- Themselves
- An appetite
- A contribution to support John's Trip
To RSVP, please contact John via email (19jfrancisc77@gmail.com) or call (401-378-8965) before May 1st.
If you're interested in supporting this effort, but are unable to attend, please consider a contribution (cash or check). For those that want their support to be tax-deductable, make a check to: the One World Foundation of New York Inc.. Given the close timing of this, it's best that you connect with John and hand any support directly to him...
Alternatively, send checks directly to:
The One World Foundation of New York
301 W. 110th Street • Suite 3P
New York, NY • 10026
Finally:
On advice, I'd like to offer a pyramid of support - perhaps these suggested amounts can help define levels of giving that make sense. I suggest that folks consider the following levels of support:
- $15
- $25
- $50
- $100
- $200
- $250
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Partners
One of the most exciting (and humbling) aspects of going to Cambodia this summer is meeting amazing leaders doing amazing things. Tiffany Gardner, Executive Director of the One World Foundation forwarded information about our prospective partners... Here is a summary of our prospective NGOs:
Cambodia Center for Human Rights:
CCHR is a non-governmental human rights organization designed to promote and protect democracy, human rights and development in the country.
CCHR envisions a Cambodian civil society where human rights and democracy are fully respected and that the people enjoy the benefits of development to which they have fully participated. The organization seeks to be one of the main actors in building a strong foundation of democracy at the grass-root level and working on informing the public to create awareness on human rights and democracy concepts and principles. CCHR also works to protect the rights of the victims of human rights violations.
The main programs of the organization are: (i) Education program; (ii) Radio program; (iii) Advocacy and Public Relations program and (iii) Monitoring and Investigation program.
To learn more about CCHR, visit their website at http://www.cchr-cambodia.org/about/en/.
Cambodia Center for Social Development
CSD was established in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as a non-profit, non-governmental organization. CSD seeks to promote democratic values and improve the quality of life of the Cambodian people through training, seminars, research, publication, broadcasting, partnership with other like-minded organizations and institutions and dialogue with Cambodians from all walks of life.
The mission of CSD is to encourage broad participation in public affairs at both the national and local level, develop a respect for human rights and the rule of law, enhance transparency and accountability in the public sphere, and raise awareness of issues of national concern through all forms of media.
CSD has a Legal Unit, Governance Unit and Public Forum Unit that deal with various aspects of its mission.
To learn more about CSD, visit their website at http://www.csdcambodia.org/publicforum.html.
Cambodian Living Arts (CLA)
Given the immense destruction of the arts during the Khmer Rouge, the mission of Cambodian Living Arts is to support the revival of Cambodian traditional art forms and to inspire contemporary artistic expression. The organization envisions Cambodia in the year 2020 as a country experiencing a cultural renaissance so dynamic that the arts have become Cambodia’s international signature.
CLA’s four core programs—teaching, performing, recording, and new commissions—support 16 master musicians and nearly 300 students and assistant teachers to develop skills and relationships that will enable them to generate income and develop as leaders, while also helping to preserve and celebrate their heritage.
To learn more about CLA, visit their website at http://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/about.
Tiny Toones
Tiny Toones is a local dancing group that was born in the Bassac area of Phnom Penh. It was established to give a chance to the local children to express themselves artistically and to push to the forefront the urban American dance style known as break dancing. Tiny Toones’ goal is to provide an after school environment for children to be part of a ground breaking break dance group, which teaches dancing skills and skills to survive and be responsible and successful in today’s society.
To learn more about Tiny Toones, visit their website at http://www.tinytoonescambodia.com/.
Cambodia Center for Human Rights:
CCHR is a non-governmental human rights organization designed to promote and protect democracy, human rights and development in the country.
CCHR envisions a Cambodian civil society where human rights and democracy are fully respected and that the people enjoy the benefits of development to which they have fully participated. The organization seeks to be one of the main actors in building a strong foundation of democracy at the grass-root level and working on informing the public to create awareness on human rights and democracy concepts and principles. CCHR also works to protect the rights of the victims of human rights violations.
The main programs of the organization are: (i) Education program; (ii) Radio program; (iii) Advocacy and Public Relations program and (iii) Monitoring and Investigation program.
To learn more about CCHR, visit their website at http://www.cchr-cambodia.org/about/en/.
Cambodia Center for Social Development
CSD was established in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as a non-profit, non-governmental organization. CSD seeks to promote democratic values and improve the quality of life of the Cambodian people through training, seminars, research, publication, broadcasting, partnership with other like-minded organizations and institutions and dialogue with Cambodians from all walks of life.
The mission of CSD is to encourage broad participation in public affairs at both the national and local level, develop a respect for human rights and the rule of law, enhance transparency and accountability in the public sphere, and raise awareness of issues of national concern through all forms of media.
CSD has a Legal Unit, Governance Unit and Public Forum Unit that deal with various aspects of its mission.
To learn more about CSD, visit their website at http://www.csdcambodia.org/publicforum.html.
Cambodian Living Arts (CLA)
Given the immense destruction of the arts during the Khmer Rouge, the mission of Cambodian Living Arts is to support the revival of Cambodian traditional art forms and to inspire contemporary artistic expression. The organization envisions Cambodia in the year 2020 as a country experiencing a cultural renaissance so dynamic that the arts have become Cambodia’s international signature.
CLA’s four core programs—teaching, performing, recording, and new commissions—support 16 master musicians and nearly 300 students and assistant teachers to develop skills and relationships that will enable them to generate income and develop as leaders, while also helping to preserve and celebrate their heritage.
To learn more about CLA, visit their website at http://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/about.
Tiny Toones
Tiny Toones is a local dancing group that was born in the Bassac area of Phnom Penh. It was established to give a chance to the local children to express themselves artistically and to push to the forefront the urban American dance style known as break dancing. Tiny Toones’ goal is to provide an after school environment for children to be part of a ground breaking break dance group, which teaches dancing skills and skills to survive and be responsible and successful in today’s society.
To learn more about Tiny Toones, visit their website at http://www.tinytoonescambodia.com/.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
how and why
Wonder how this Path to Phnom Penh is being organized?
My trip is being coordinated by the One World Foundation. To quote the website:
"The One World Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non profit organization whose mission is to encourage young people of color to become actively engaged in the human rights and development arenas, particularly as they affect indigenous and minority rights...
Through international and domestic service projects, workshops and leadership development programs, One World Foundation seeks to equip younger generations with the tools necessary to affect social change on both domestic and levels. Additionally, by partnering with NGOs and other service organizations throughout the developing world we aim to connect young leaders in the U.S. with their counterparts in other parts of the world."
As for the why...
Going on this trip is an expression of the solidarity I've felt serving alongside volunteers, organizers and activists of various causes and colors. A few years ago I became involved with the national AmeriCorps affiliate City Year, and more recently I've been involved with a local Southeast Asian organizer group PrYSM (Providence Youth Student Movement).
During my time as a volunteer and board member for PrYSM, I met a breathtakingly powerful young woman by the name of Dimple Rana who's unwavering commitment to solidarity, compassion and justice brought her to live in Cambodia. She asked me to consider participating in the 2007 summer delegation to Cambodia to learn, explore and serve. So I did...
My trip is being coordinated by the One World Foundation. To quote the website:
"The One World Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non profit organization whose mission is to encourage young people of color to become actively engaged in the human rights and development arenas, particularly as they affect indigenous and minority rights...
Through international and domestic service projects, workshops and leadership development programs, One World Foundation seeks to equip younger generations with the tools necessary to affect social change on both domestic and levels. Additionally, by partnering with NGOs and other service organizations throughout the developing world we aim to connect young leaders in the U.S. with their counterparts in other parts of the world."
As for the why...
Going on this trip is an expression of the solidarity I've felt serving alongside volunteers, organizers and activists of various causes and colors. A few years ago I became involved with the national AmeriCorps affiliate City Year, and more recently I've been involved with a local Southeast Asian organizer group PrYSM (Providence Youth Student Movement).
During my time as a volunteer and board member for PrYSM, I met a breathtakingly powerful young woman by the name of Dimple Rana who's unwavering commitment to solidarity, compassion and justice brought her to live in Cambodia. She asked me to consider participating in the 2007 summer delegation to Cambodia to learn, explore and serve. So I did...
Path to Phnom Penh
I'm looking for a path to Phnom Penh.
To forge that path, I'll need to garner the support of my family, friends and colleagues. In the coming weeks, I'll be posting updates about the preparation for the upcoming trip, prospective NGO's, and will continue to post as I make my way to (and through) Cambodia with pictures and stories.
The journey begins...
To forge that path, I'll need to garner the support of my family, friends and colleagues. In the coming weeks, I'll be posting updates about the preparation for the upcoming trip, prospective NGO's, and will continue to post as I make my way to (and through) Cambodia with pictures and stories.
The journey begins...
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