Streams Of Hope

New Blog Location

2009-08-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

We didn't expect to have it up so fast, but the new Streams of Hope blog is up and running! Keep in mind, it's a work in progress. We need to complete the Bios section, add more original photography, get it linked to our Facebook Fan Page, and a few other things.

Regardless, it's looking so good we thought we'd share.

Please feel free to give us your feedback here. We'll keep this account open for the next week to make sure no one loses us in the move.

Thanks!

See you at:

www.streamsofhope.wordpress.com

We're Moving!

2009-08-29T15:03:00.001-07:00

The Streams of Hope blog is getting a new home! We're moving over to Wordpress this week, and we couldn't be more excited.

We'll be taking our favourite posts from the past year, and giving them a jazzy new look. It should be cleaner, hold tonnes of pictures, and be more organized and navigable.

Switching content will take time, so bare with the process. We promise you won't be disappointed.

There isn't a grand re-opening date set, but we'll let you know when we're all moved in (hopefully by next Saturday). Once we've launched the new blog, we'll give you another week or so to get your RSS feed updated, and to figure out where we are. We'll keep the Twitter account the same, so check it if you've lost us.

Looking forward to another great year with you! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment thus far.

See you on the flip side!

Be the Change Challenge - Continued

2009-08-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

Engine's Be the Change Challenge started a lot of dialogue on Twitter and Facebook about how non-profits can best utilize social media as a marketing tool. If you checked out yesterday's post, then you really need to have a look at the Lessons Learned follow up from today. In fact, before you read the rest of what I'm going to say here, please read those two blogs so that you can see the context from which I'm working.

Streams of Hope was established to connect businesses and individuals with non-profit organizations in developing nations, that are efficient, effective, and trustworthy. This means that we work with people we have solid relationships with. I like to call this a community-centred approach to giving.

'Community' is a buzzword that's floating around a lot in social media circles. (FYI, part of my work life is spent online, building community for SOH, Engine Communications, for myself, and for *hopefully* many others.) Pro bloggers like Chris Brogan and Danny Brown have started this discussion, and many of us are following their lead.

What does community have to do with SOH?

Everything!

We're in the preliminary stages of setting up a movement in our local community (Belleville, Ontario, Canada, the World) to combat global poverty. This is global folks. Big. Big time. Huge.

I can't overstate the importance of right now--in this moment--building a community of people who will invest their time, energy and resources into groups like ours. As the world continues to shrink, we're seeing the absolute necessity of becoming part of a bigger dream than we alone could have. SOH is one piece of a multi-dimensional puzzle that's building the framework to see poverty eradicated in our time.

Who are they players?

You. Me. Everyone inbetween.

The reason I blog so much about what other people are doing is because I believe we reap what we sow. Right now, SOH isn't nearly as active as it will be in 3-5 years. We're in platform building times. That's why we need to help others who are where we want to be. It's time to find our place as part of a bigger community. This is of the utmost importance.

I'm passionate about social justice. If you're reading this, you must be too. But sometimes I forget how important it is to stay active and involved even when I'm hundreds of miles away from the situation.

And I do forget.

Like you, I have a job, family, and other responsibilities. Sometimes I feel like I'm wading through sand up to my knees. Sometimes I don't want to fight. I get tired. But lately that is shifting in me. I believe it is in you too.

What's changing?

Global consciousness.

You, and I, and SOH are a part of that. The online community I live in is getting bigger. It's your community as well. And I'm here to tell you it's as real as the one you physically inhabit. It's members are scattered, but even in Ontario there is a strong contingent of activists. We're moving in tandem like never before. The feedback I've gotten both yesterday and today have proven that to me. That's reignited the fire in me to push for change.

And it's so easy. You can get on board.

How?

Join me on Twitter. Follow SOH on Facebook. Check out Chris' blog, and Danny's blog. Talk to people like Shannon Boudjema, Callum Pinkney, Alex Sancton, Laura Nichol, and Charlotte Barker. Engage these activists in conversation. Become a part of our community. Vote for the Global Consciousness Panel at the SXSW conference; let them know that social justice belongs online.

Who are these people? What are these things? Nation changers; the heavy hitting kind. That's who. And that's the community you can belong to.

What's SOH doing right now?

We're joining a global movement to end injustice. You are part of it. I am part of it. We all need each other. That's true community.

Now it's your turn. Follow the links, read the blogs, join the movement. We need you.

If my pleas and ranting don't move you to action, this video will. I watch it everytime I get complacent. Gut-wrenching. Why do we not feel this in our bones everyday?

Be the Change Challenge

2009-08-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hey All!

I need your help...

Well, I don't, but World Vision Canada does.

I've decided to try an experiment with all this social media stuff. The details are at the Engine Room blog.

It's pretty simple. Just follow @wvcanadanews on Twitter, and I'm going to donate to them.

Why?

To make a point.

Social media revolutionalizes the way we can get involved with our favourite charities (SOH included--follow us on Twitter and Facebook). It makes giving back to others easy, quick and affordable.

And the challenge isn't just about giving to a worthwhile cause. It's about uniting community and passion in the SM realm.

But I can't do it alone. Please take a look at the blog for all the details. Write a comment. Share on your Facebook or RT on Twitter.

Happy World Humanitarian Day!

2009-08-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

What a phenomenal morning!

First, it's World Humanitarian Day (#WorldHumanitarianDay on Twitter), and people are motivated, engaged, and getting involved. I'm not going to make this post too long, because I've blogged about this very special occassion at the Engine Room. All I can say is THANK YOU to all of the people who are working with SOH, and all social justice organizations around the world, for your dedication.

Your bravery, love, courage, and hope inspire us daily.

We've been connected with some amazing groups here at SOH. Thanks to World Vision Canada and Australia, CARE Canada, One Day's Wages, Hero Holiday. All their links can be found on this blog (check the interviews tag).

Second, today the Top 30 Under 30 Tweeters were announced by Len Kendall and his panel of all star judges. Our own Bryna Jones, PR Director here at SOH, made the list! Congrats Bryna!

Also, some of you have been asking what SOH has been getting up to in our local community. We've been on a bit of a hiatus over the summer, but the fall has many exciting ventures, and adventures in store. (Hint: They involve our superstar tech wizard Nathan McCready)

Consider supporting Nathan and his humanitarian efforts by checking out his website, Shift8.ca

If you're not already following us on Twitter and Facebook, cick the links and get involved!

Have a great day!

Interview: Kevin McCort, President CARE Canada, Part Two

2009-08-17T05:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin with a child in Kibera during celebrations for the “Day of the African Child.”

ME: There's been a lot of debate recently surrounding foreign aid. In your opinion, what does the future of foreign aid look like?

Kevin: Yes, lots of welcome debate, but I’m worried that the message the public is hearing (which are not always what people are saying) is that Aid Doesn’t Work. My counter-message is “Aid Does Work… if it’s done the right way”.

Just look at the example I mentioned of the village savings and loans program in Zimbabwe. There’s an aid program that is successfully building prosperity in a country with one of the worst economies in the world. Or there’s the community garden I visited in Zimbabwe. There CARE has combined conservation farming with village savings and loans. In Zimbabwe there are food shortages and food is very expensive. But the 87 families participating in that community garden are now fairly food-secure. They’ve increased their crop yields, with the VS&L they can afford agricultural tools and inputs, and they’re producing enough to sell for income. I’ve got a great photo of one woman named Rumbizwi Seminrufo proudly holding up a handful of ripe tomatoes and grinning from ear to ear. She’s living proof that, if you do it right, even in the most challenging environments, aid can work.

For people who are interested in the debate about aid, there are three books they should read: Paul Collier’s “The Bottom Billion”, William Easterly’s “The White Man’s Burden” and Peter Singer’s “The Life You Can Save”. Collier outlines in a very convincing way “where” foreign aid should be given. The “bottom billion” are the citizens of those countries where – at best – things have stagnated over the past 20-30 years. For many people in places like Chad, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Haiti, things have gotten worse over time, and our aid should be channeled to the poorest of the poor countries. “The White Man’s Burden” outlines how ‘official development assistance’ (i.e. ODA, or aid given by governments, mostly to governments) has failed to eradicate poverty. There is plenty to debate in the book, but while Easterly points out the failings of official assistance, he often points to the success of work by NGOs. Finally, Peter Singer makes a very compelling ethical case that we in the rich world simply haven’t tried to eradicate poverty. He acknowledges the weakness pointed out by Easterly, but puts it into context – the amount the West has invested in ODA over the past 30 years is equal to one dinner/evening out per North American per year. So how can we expect that modest amount to “end poverty”? Peter says that the time to do more is upon us, and that NGOs have proven that we can make a difference.

Ultimately, these arguments point to a radical scaling up of developmental assistance. We actually have to try harder and we must channel the bulk of this assistance through civil society organizations who are the most effective. The only way this will happen though is if the tax-paying public hear the message that Aid Does Work, and demand that their tax dollars, and their charitable giving, go through the most effective channels to make it happen.

ME: How can our readers get involved with CARE Canada?

Kevin: Well I’d say the most important thing is for them to start by getting informed and active on development issues generally. Find out what is happening in the world. There are far too many forgotten crises right now – Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Pakistan. The mainstream media gave them their 15 minutes and moved on, but the suffering didn’t end when the coverage did. Imagine if your readers took just half an hour each day to learn something new about a development or humanitarian issue, then shared that information with their friends and family. Now if all those people then shared with *their* friends, and then all those people went and wrote letters to their local news media asking “Why aren’t you talking about this?” That’s the beginning of a groundswell for action.

CARE Canada has lots of avenues for people to get informed about what we’re doing, and what’s happening in the world.
There’s our web site
We’re active on Facebook
We’re on Twitter: @KevinMcCort and @CARE_Package
We have a Youtube page with some great videos.

For people who want to support CARE’s work, we just launched this great new online tool that empowers anyone to become a fundraiser and awareness-raiser: www.care.ca/events. With the information and resources there you can organize anything from a small charity bake sale to a full gala ball, or even just turn a personal event like a birthday or anniversary into a fundraiser.

If you want to make a different AND challenge yourself to test your limits, this coming January CARE Canada will hold a “Climb for CARE”. We’ll take a group of Canadians to Tanzania to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. That will be an experience to remember for a lifetime. More information on the climb will be coming to the CARE Canada web site soon.

ME: Why are you so passionate about social justice?

Kevin: I know that it is possible to help people have a better life. I know there are people whose lives are incredibly difficult (I’ve met many). Knowing these two facts makes any other choice about what to do with my life impossible, because I know that I can make a difference. As we say about the women with whom we work “She has the power to change her world, you have the power to help her do it”. I take that personally.

ME: Anything else you'd like to add?

Kevin: There’s one statistic that has always interested me – and concerned me. Canadians are very generous. Canadians have also always been very involved in global issues and ensuring Canada plays its part in the world. But of all the charity giving Canadians do every year, less than five per cent goes to causes outside of Canada. I think that is a statistic that would surprise most Canadians. It’s definitely something they should be aware of, and should think about.

A woman who had just graduated from village saving and loans program in Masvingo province, Zimbabwe , at the ceremony Kevin attended. She is showing the rabbits she now owns thanks to her participation in the program.

This is Rumbizwi Seminrufo, the woman in the community garden in Zimbabwe.

Kevin talks to Pauline Muthoni, the entrepreneur scrap metal dealer who started her business thanks to a CARE microfinance loan.

Make sure to check out the links that Kevin mentioned, and get inovlved in this amazing organization.

Thanks to Kevin for your generosity in sharing the CARE Canada vision with Streams of Hope. And the whole team at CARE Canada: What you do is no small feat. Your passion and dedication are to be commended.

Interview: Kevin McCort, President of CARE Canada

2009-08-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

What I enjoy about Kevin McCort, is that you can tell he genuinely loves his work. When someone's passion shines through to that extent, I think we can all agree that's when we get excited about a cause.

The work that CARE Canada does around the world to empower and equip a generation of women and girls to better themselves and their communities, is one of the most noble efforts in the aid community out there today. I'm so thrilled that Kevin offered to share the work of CARE Canada with our readers.

This is part one of a two part blog. Read, absorb, and support CARE.

ME: For those of us who don't know, what is CARE Canada's vision and mission?

Kevin: In essence, it can be summed up in four words – Defending Dignity. Fighting Poverty.

CARE is a global force dedicated to defending dignity and fighting poverty by empowering the world's most vulnerable and greatest resource for change: women and girls.

We seek a world of hope, tolerance and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security.

Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources.

Another very important part of CARE’s development philosophy is participation, consultation and empowerment. We believe that, in order to be successful, our job is not to tell communities what they need and what they should do. When CARE goes into a community we ask them what they need, and we help them build their own solutions. That’s why 96 per cent of people who work in CARE field offices and on CARE projects are not foreign expatriates, they are people hired and trained from within the communities themselves. By working in this way, CARE: creates programs that respect and adapt to the unique needs and culture of the community; builds the economy of the community through employment; and ensures that when CARE leaves, the skills and knowledge stay in the community and do not leave with us.

ME: What is the history of CARE?

Kevin: I’ll bet most of your readers, at one time or another, have heard or used the term “care package”. A basket of food, some clothing, or just some money for a son or daughter away at university. We send our loved ones “care packages” all the time. But I’ll bet most of your readers don’t know that every time they use the term “care package”, they’re talking about us.

Over 60 years ago, at the end of World War II, much of Europe was almost destroyed. Millions of people had no homes, no income, no way to feed or clothe their families. So Canadians and Americans began filling boxes with food, clothing and other basic necessities and sending them to needy people in Europe. The first CARE Packages. That’s how CARE was born.

When the immediate need in Europe was over, CARE spread out across the globe. Over the years, CARE's work has expanded as it addresses the world's most threatening problems. In the 1950s, CARE expanded into emerging nations; in the 1960s, it pioneered primary health care programmes. In the 1970s, CARE responded to massive famines in Africa with both emergency relief and long-term agro-forestry projects, integrating environmentally sound land-management practices with farming programmes. In 2004, CARE was one of the primary emergency responders in an unprecedented natural disaster, the South Asian tsunami. Today, CARE works in over 65 countries, focusing on global issues like HIV and AIDS, economic strengthening, women’s empowerment, adaptation to climate change, development and relief.

ME: You just returned from a trip to Kenya and Zimbabwe. Could you explain what the purpose of that trip was, and what the situation there is like right now?

Kevin: I’ve started a blog of my own, where stories and pictures can be found: http://care-kevinmccort.blogspot.com/. The trip was undertaken because we know at CARE that we are working with many individual women, families and communities, but the stories of our success are often not told. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me “CARE is doing great work, but people just don’t know about it”, I’d be the greatest fundraiser ever! We are working at a vast scale, aiding 55 million people last year. But this trip was all about telling individual stories, not bulk reporting. How did we change one life, one family? I was gathering this kind of evidence and proof so my stories and testimonials would be fresh, compelling and vivid.

Kenya was incredible. I had the opportunity to visit Kibera and Dadaab. Kibera is often referred to as the largest urban slum in Africa, and Dadaab as the one of the largest refugee camps in the world. When we do hear about them here in North America, we tend to hear stories that are terribly negative. And to be fair, the need and the poverty in both these places really are staggering. But what I also saw was a lot of hope, and a lot of positive development that is happening. For example I met one woman, Pauline Muthoni, who has built her own successful scrap metal business in Nairobi thanks to a micro-finance program in which CARE is a partner. You can read her story in my blog.

In Zimbabwe, Zimbabweans themselves are hopeful. They have come through a very difficult period, and think the only way for them to go now is up. They really are an amazing people. They have faced economic and political challenges we can’t possibly comprehend, and they’ve done it with resiliency and with optimism. They are innovative and just like in Kenya they embody the spirit of entrepreneurship.

In Masvingo province I attended the graduation ceremony for 113 women and 2 men who were involved in a CARE village savings and loans (VS&L) program. At the ceremony the participants set up tables to show the livelihoods they had created and the pots and pans, livestock, and all manner of goods that were the fruits of their work. It was an incredible display in a country where inflation is so high the government is issuing banknotes for one hundred trillion dollars. And beyond the economic impact, that program is successfully changing societal attitudes about gender. This is what woman at the graduation ceremony, Tsungai Shimbuya , said to me: “My husband initially did not approve of my participation in this program. He saw it as a waste of time. When he realized that I could buy household goods, seeds and fertilizer during the farming seasons and pay for my children’s school fees, he came around. He is now one of my biggest supporters.”

I think Canadian donors are often nervous about giving to support Zimbabwe because of the politics. But the country really is at a turning point now. Canada can make a difference if we just make the investment.

Kevin washing plastic with Somali women in the Dadaab refugee camp. These women are in a CARE plastics recycling program that helps control solid waste and gives these women an income.

A deaf student and the woman who is the only teacher for special needs students in the Dadaab refugee camps. There is a desperate need for more resources to support special needs education in Dadaab.

Women showing the water and sanitation kits they have received as part of CARE’s anti-cholera efforts.

Friday we'll be posting the second half of Kevin's interview, where he speaks out on the foreign aid debate, and how you can get involved with CARE.

Africa: A Way Forward

2009-08-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

Brett Tilford is a web deisgner, blogger, speaker, husband, and father from Texas. A friend recommended Brett's blog to me way back in April, and after reading his post, 'The End of Poverty vs. Dead Aid', I knew I'd found yet another ally in the fight against global poverty.

What I enjoy about Brett's writing is his open, honest, tone which seamlessly weaves truth and faith in a way that not only challenges the reader, but inspires hope.

I know Brett thinks he can change the world. And he will. He's doing so right now.

I hope you enjoy this guest post as much as I have.

If you follow the news then you've likely heard about the firestorm surrounding the book Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo. She's one of many African's standing up to say “no” to continued aid from developed countries. She argues that far from helping Africa, the billions of dollars in aid over the years has only hurt it by fostering corruption among the powerful and dependance among the masses. With these facts in mind she is calling for a halt to all aid within the next 5 years. While I agree with many of Moyo's points on the shortcomings of aid, ultimately I think terminating aid is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In my opinion the problem isn't intrinsically the concept of aid, that's done a lot of good as well as some bad. The problem is deeper than that, it's a shift in the way the developed world relates to Africa at a fundamental level. While not comprehensive, here are two examples of what I'm taking about.

First, a shift away from charity, towards respect. By this I don't mean an end to charitable giving or micro loans from developing nations, but a shift away from viewing Africa as a step child on the world stage to relating as peers. No one wants to be charity. Charity is connected to concepts like hand-outs, pity, and helplessness. In our haste to gather monetary support on a local and national level too often we were telling a story about Africa that made it sound weak and defenseless. Millions are dying, starving, and completely helpless we would cry, forgetting to add that millions are living, trying, and moving forward. We need to start telling stories about African's empowered, progressing, and thriving, not just needy and spiraling out of control.

Second, a shift away from waste, towards accountability. In the past aid was often given for less than noble reasons. We know that during the cold war era the U.S., among others, were investing millions to secure the position of dictators who fit their political agendas. While this may have been beneficial, politically speaking, in the short run, ultimately it lead to instability and corruption in Africa. We need to own up to that. Today, there are many concerns that portions of aid money end up in the purses of dictators or corrupt government officials. This has to stop. The money must reach those it was intended for, period.

Moyo is right to call for change in Africa and she's not alone in her opinion. While we may not agree on the course of action I think she's jump-started a very necessary and healthy conversation about the future of this great continent. It's wisdom for those in the west to do a little less talking right now and a lot more listening.

Thanks to Brett for his contribution to the SOH blog. Follow Brett on Twitter, and make sure to check out his blog.

Callum Pinkney is Hot...For Social Justice

2009-08-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

We here at SOH have some of the coolest friends around! I'm really excited to share with you an interview I did with Callum Pinkney, Volunteer Social Media Coordinator (Extraordinare) at Amnesty International. Callum oversees brand reputation and management online for AI. He also gets to travel around and go to concerts while promoting social justice. Am I jealous? Maybe a bit.

Callum creates a means by which AI engages youth in all things human rights related. This is an audience that gets overlooked, but that in my experience, is most willing to get their hands dirty to help their peers in developing nations.

Not only is Callum incredibly smart and dedicated, he's a blast. I'm happy to introduce you to him today.

ME: What do you do for Amnesty International?

Callum: Well, as crazy as it seems, someone lets me volunteer for them. As a 2nd year Planning Committee Member for the Human Rights College, I work with 7-8 other members to develop various workshops on human rights issues, fund-raising tactics, public engagement skills, and then we set out to deliver them to youth aged anywhere from 14 to 25.

When the Human Rights College is over in the summer, I immediately turn to working with Small Places. Every year a team of us set out to promote human rights by getting artists, fans, and everyday working class people to speak up for human rights with whatever creative talent they have. We spend a lot of time at music festivals speaking with bands and have them do an action for Amnesty, and small places. All over Canada, small music events are taking place with artists who want to celebrate human rights!

I'm also assisting with a new initiative for AI: The Social Media Response Team. A lot of my time is spent Facebooking/Twittering/Discussion-boarding to gain a presence for AI in the online world. To shamelessly self-promote, you can follow my feed on twitter at @AmnestyNow to hear about all the events all over Canada taking place. (Interviewer's Note: You should all follow Callum as well @calisonfire.)

ME: How did you get passionate about social justice?

Callum: It wasn't until my first year of college that I became actively engaged in social justice. A friend actually introduced me to Amnesty through a week long Human Rights College in Kelowna, B.C and from there on in I've been hooked.

Right after, I tried to grab onto as many volunteering opportunities as I could. Since then I've become really passionate about a wide-array of human rights abuses, but especially ones which are currently denying basic human rights (i.e water/food/shelter/safety).

ME: In your opinion, what are the most effective ways to get youth involved in activism?

Callum: This is a tough one. A common myth is that youth don't care; video games, cell-phones, and hanging out listening to music in their parent's basement are the only things they want to do. This isn't true. I've spoken to lots of youth from different cultures, backgrounds, musical tastes, fashion tastes, educational backgrounds, beliefs, and they all say the same thing: "We just don't know anything about it."

As I'm still technically in the youth spectrum, I can emphasize with them. Growing up I didn’t know ANYTHING about social justice issues. The problem is that the stereotyping is really slowing down youth development worldwide.

One of the most effective ways to get the youth's attention is to go where they are; music festivals, cultural festivals, and online. Engaging them here is the first step, but being able to bring them back to you is the toughest one. Bringing youth through a ladder of engagement let's them easily transition from having no connection to social activism, to really being involved.

ME: What’s next at AI?

Callum: AI is rolling out the Demand Dignity Campaign. Every person, everywhere in the world, has a basic right to an adequate standard of living: the right to food, housing, health and education. This campaign is essentially calling on national and international leaders to be accountable for the human rights violations taking place.

I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in learning about all the campaigns, and priority concerns AI is on top of, to check out www.amnesty.ca!

Thanks Callum for your insight into AI and youth activism! See you online.

#30u30t Shorlist

2009-07-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to pass on some fun news. Our very own, @brynajones (plain old, Bryna, for those not on Twitter), and our official Twitter account @streamsofhope, have been shortlisted as nominees for the "Top 30 Under 30" Tweeters #30u30t .

The list has been complied by @LenKendall. "The selection process is going to be based on 50% quantitative factors and 50% qualitative which are judged by a mixed panel of individuals."

What we're loving is not only our inclusion in the list, but the amazing resource it's become. If you're on Twitter, it can be difficult to dig through the tremendous amount of information generated in a day. It's also hard to find quality people to follow. This list is a great start.

Thanks to those who've nominated and supported both @brynajones and @streamsofhope. It's an honour just to be nominated!

Mother Teresa of Agua Negra by Christal Earle

2009-07-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so fortunate to call our guest contributor, Christal Earle, both a colleague and a friend. Christal and her husband Vaden are the co-founders of Absolute Leadership Development and Hero Holiday. Their heart for the poor and oppressed inspires me; and they don't simply talk--the act.

Christal is an advocate, and a compassionate voice in a sea of discontent. Her writing is beautiful, and I'm so excited that she let me share her most recent blog entry here.

Mother Teresa of Agua Negra

It was so hot we could feel sweat rolling down our spines. There was no breeze, no shade from the sun, no clean spot to escape the dirty road under our feet. All around us, eager children grabbed at our hands and chattered at us incessantly in Spanish. We politely nodded and laughed at their antics, secretly wondering how long this little diversion was going to take. As we looked over our shoulder behind us, local people smiled and waved as they called out, “Hola!”, and as we looked in front of us, we saw the woman who was leading the way on this little trek: Sandra. The Mother Teresa of Agua Negra.

“Agua Negra” means “Black Water” in Spanish. It is a significant name if you consider the location of the community: sandwiched against the industrial harbour of Puerto Plata, tucked away out of sight, overcrowded and polluted, and built on top of an old garbage dump. In this place, poverty has raked open a gaping wound in the lives of those who are victimized by it. Narrow streets, filled with sludge and sewage become the passageways of all the inhabitants in the community and whenever it rains hard enough, the mud rises in the streets as the ground seeps out black water. Not exactly what you would consider prime real estate.

Sandra dreamed of something better for herself, her children, and the people who are relegated to calling Agua Negra home. Since that day, she has rallied help from around the world to build a school, a computer learning centre, a boys and girls after school facility, and has inspired some people there to start to make clothes and jewellery for a cooperative income. Absolute chose to partner with Sandra’s organization to build two homes for families that have been devastated by AIDS and other irreversible consequences of desperate poverty. Here in Agua Negra, when you build a house, you are literally putting it down on a foundation of garbage, hoping it will hold and hoping you will stay safe. And though it may not seem like much to the outside world, to the thousands upon thousands of people who call this place home, it is all that they can lay claim to.

In many ways, Sandra seems to be an enigma to me. I do not know how she decided to begin her work here or what led her to stay in this community, and I do not know how she continues to do so. She is a single mother of four children, but she is overflowing with faith and vision. As she walked among the community with us, I realized that she is no better off financially than the people whom she serves and works among in Agua Negra. Though she is one of them, she is one who chooses to point the way to a brighter future, one small step at a time - and she is loved in this place. Women confide in her, men respect her, children are drawn to her. All who meet her walk away being reminded of the power of compassion, one life at a time, and are struck with a deep conviction that you can never give up on people. Her life reminds me that love is never wasted. She knows each family by name, knows the ages of their children, knows their struggles and successes. And on that dirty, smelly road, Sandra taught us to love without saying a word.

We sat in the homes of families, sixteen adults cramped into one room shacks and lean-tos. We held hands of children burned by gasoline explosions, kissed the cheeks of mothers losing their battles with cancer, shook hands with men and women who were fighting AIDS, a disease they did not understand and who had chosen them without their consent. And that day, in that place, we saw a little glimpse of heaven on earth. Later that day as we drove away (two hours behind schedule!), we each felt like life was a little more precious, health was a little more appreciated, and love seemed a little sweeter. All of that was because of a small woman, who in a big way, has helped to be the voice, the hands, and the feet of hope and compassion.

Sandra, my friend, you are a beautiful woman, both inside and out. Your love for your community has both inspired me and challenged my boundaries of compassion and grace. Thank you. I never had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa, but I have seen her spirit live on in women such as you.

Behind the Scenes

2009-07-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Generating interesting, insightful, engaging blog content is a full time job. I admire people who are able to do so on a regular basis. I feel I've let you down in this respect, as I haven't posted for over a week. What?! That's a million years in blog speak.

So, I'm sorry, and I hope you haven't given up on me. I promise you that despite the lack of content, I've got some really good stuff happening behind the scenes that I'll be sharing with you in the coming weeks.

We'll be talking to authors, activists, pro bloggers, and some really genuine people with huge hearts for humanity.

On a personal note, I appreciate your patience because I've been transitioning into a new job, and doing some other volunteer work.

Also, we always want your opinion, so please feel free to email SOH with comments, or things you'd like to see discussed on the blog.

Bryna

Who is Eugene Cho?

2009-07-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

One of the things I like most about social media is the connections it allows us to make with people that inspire us. There are those, like Dave Toycen, who I've connected with because I've admired them for years. However, through Twitter and Facebook, I've also had the absolute pleasure of meeting more creative, passionate visionaries than I could've ever imagined.

One of these people is Eugene Cho.

Eugene is the co-founder (along with his wife, Minhee) and executive director of a global grassroots movement to fight global poverty called One Day’s Wages. He is also the founding and lead pastor of Quest Church and the founder and executive director of Q Cafe.

A sought after speaker, and writer, Eugene has contributed to numerous conferences, publications (Soujourners Magazine), and websites (Conversant Life). As a master of social media, Eugene not only blogs, but also Twitters, and employs a variety of other tools to engage and respond to his audience (video, audio, Facebook).

I'm not a stalker, but I have to admit I follow this man's blog religiously (pun intended). Eugene was kind enough to help me with an interview. His vision is just too good to keep secret.

ME: How did you get passionate about social justice?

Eugene: My conviction is that humanity was created for good, justice, and compassion. At the core of our hearts, I believe we are created with an inclination towards such things. However, I also acknowledge the darkness and proclivity towards evil that lurks with all of us and as such, there's a constant tension.

For me as a Christian, I believe in God and the goodness, peace, and shalom He intended for all of humanity. As a human and a follower of Christ, pursuing 'mercy, justice, & humility' are not optional. When I pursue these things, not only do I honor my convictions, my faith in Christ, but it is when I feel most alive...when I feel I am living in the fullness of what I was created to be and do.

ME: What is the vision behind One Day's Wages?

Eugene:
In one word: Movement
In two words: Compassionate Justice.
In a phrase: A Movement of Stories of Compassionate Justice.

In one paragraph: It's a grassroots movement where we invite the global community to simply give one day's wages to fight extreme global poverty. Our goal is to integrate human relationships + social media/technology + vision + collaboration = end extreme global poverty.

ME: How can people get involved with your organization?

Eugene: There's several layers but we're simply asking people to visit our website at http://onedayswages.org and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/onedayswages. And if they're compelled...to donate one day's wages. Our website (which is still in progress) gives instructions how to do that.

We share this not be boastful but we've pledged our year's salary in 2009 because we don't want to ask folks to do something we're not willing to do. 100% of all public donations will go towards projects and organizations.

ME: What do you think the responsibility of the church is in the fight against poverty and injustice?

Eugene: This is a tough question. I don't want to give the 'C'hurch too much responsibility.

By this, I mean that the 'C'hurch isn't solely responsible for the ailments of the world. God has given all of humanity a certain moral, just, and compassionate fabric, worldview, and capacity to fight poverty and injustice. But for the Church to not be involved or to even lead the charge is downright criminal and sinful.

ME: Anything else you'd like to add?

Eugene: Bryna is cool.

I strongly encourage you to contribute to One Day's Wages (and not just because Eugene said I'm cool). I'm personally pledging to do this. This is a vision and a cause that's worth sowing into.

My sincerest thanks go out to Eugene for the time he took to contribute to the SOH blog. Once you explore this man's work, you'll see what an honour it is to have him here.

Interview with Dave Toycen, President of World Vision Canada: Part Two

2009-07-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, SOH brought you the first of a two-part interview with the President of World Vision Canada, Dave Toycen. Today (as promised) we're excited to bring you the final installment of that interview.

ME: What can people/groups in Canada do to help?

Dave: Canadians wishing to donate to our efforts in eastern DRC can do so by calling 1-800-268-5528, or by visiting www.worldvision.ca. Those wishing to take action and keep up to date on our efforts can do so with one of the following tools. We also have a vast array of resource available at www.worldvision.ca/congo including prayer points for those who believe in prayer.

Write Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs: Using our fast and simple tool, demand Canada take leadership in addressing the crisis in Congo.

Join the Canadians Concerned About Congo Facebook group for updates, actions and discussions.

Check out WorldVisionCanada on YouTube for videos from Congo you can embed on blogs.

Follow CongoAlerts on Twitter for timely updates on the current humanitarian disaster.

ME: Do you have any stories from your trip to DRC that you would like to tell?

Dave: One of the most inspiring children I met was 16-year-old Jonathan*. Jonathan is a former child solider who is now the president of a Child’s Parliament group that World Vision supports in the region. The group was formed in order to empower children to be part of peacebuilding initiatives in their community and has already had a significant impact. Just after the group was formed, the children realized that many homeless children were ending up in the local jail, kept with adult criminals. The group petitioned the local authority and had 15 children successfully freed from the prison and placed in care with host families in the town. The group has also instigated a watch group for girls fetching water so that during this vulnerable act of walking to nearby rivers, the girls are flanked by older boys who stave off potential molesters. It is children like Jonathan that remind me that sometimes children’s courageous acts can embarrass adults into doing the right thing.

Jonathan

*name has been changed to protect the identity of the child.

ME: Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Dave: I think it’s important that we remember there is always hope even in the most dire circumstances. I met a mother named Esperance who was at one of our health clinics waiting for her child to be treated. The little one is malnourished, suffering from diarrhea and although slowly recovering after six weeks of treatment, still fighting for her life. Esperance told me that her family is short of food, especially since her husband was shot while trying to flee violence and is now disabled. The family depends on Esperance to tend a small plot for food and take care of them physically. Amidst all of that pain though, Esperance – her name literally meaning hope – told me of her dreams of a future where the war will end and her family can start producing their own food; a future where her children will be safe and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Esperance with her child, and Dave

Our sincerest thanks go out to Dave Toycen for this interview, and to his amazing staff, for the work they do bringing awareness and aid to the world's most impoverished people. You truly inspire us!

Interview: Dave Toycen, President of World Vision Canada

2009-06-30T05:26:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't read my post yesterday, please take a moment to do so before you continue with this intro. I feel almost any words I use to describe the work of World Vision, Canada, and it's President, Dave Toycen will be inadequate.

For those of you who may not know, World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. As followers of Jesus, they are motivated by God's love for all people regardless of race, religion, gender or ethnicity.

Mr. Toycen's career in international aid and devleopment has spanned more than 35 years, 21 of which have been spent at World Vision. His 12 year tenure as President has seen donations increase almost nine fold to over $381 million and the number of children sponsored by Canadians has risen fivefold to more than 480,000.

In this two part interview, Dave was kind enough to share with SOH his recent experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo--a country torn by civil war, poverty, and some of the worst injustice the world has ever seen.

ME: What was the purpose of your trip to the Congo?

Dave: It has been 15 years since I had last been to the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the time of the Rwandan genocide. At the time there were refugees scattered across Goma, bodies everywhere waiting for mass burial – and now more violence stalks the region. I had to come back, to see how our programs are helping those struggling now and how we can better serve those in need moving forward.

I also wanted to meet with our staff and other NGOs in the region to encourage them. Many leave their own families behind to sacrificially and persistently put the needs of others before their own. And I wanted to remind them that there is a team of people in Canada working to support them and the work on the ground.

ME: What is the situation like there?

Dave: What we’re seeing in eastern DRC is an incredible humanitarian crisis – absolutely one of the worst in the world right now. Nearly 1.5 million people are displaced, women and girls are the victims of sexual violence and children are recruited as soldiers daily. An estimated 45,000 people are dying every month from malnutrition and infectious diseases in the region – a number we would certainly not tolerate here in Canada.

For me personally, this was one of the most difficult trips I have taken in a long time. It all strikes like a body blow when you go into a therapeutic feeding centre and see skinny, severely malnourished little ones struggling for life. One mother named Furaha has two children at her side, a baby who is one month old named Divine and a one year old named Prisca. Prisca has signs of severe malnutrition, including painful mouth sores. Furaha’s husband is out looking for work so she is left to care for two sick children on her own.

I was also struck by the incredible amount of sexual violence that women and girls face. It is certainly a tool of war used by many parties to the increased violence and one that leaves sheer trauma and terror in its wake.

ME: What is World Vision’s presence in Congo?

Dave: World Vision began working in the DRC in 1958, helping girls who would otherwise have been forced into early marriage. By 1988, World Vision had established longer-term community-based projects, through child sponsorship, and is now assisting 56,000 sponsored children in the country.

We are currently working with communities through 25 long-term development programs. We are working to improve water and sanitation, develop infrastructure, improve health and education, in addition to responding to HIV and AIDS while improving food security through special, shorter-term projects.

We are helping 50,000 children recover from the trauma of war in eastern DRC through a UNICEF-funded psychosocial and child protection project. We are also helping families in crisis with survival items like blankets, soap, plastic sheeting for temporary shelters and other emergency help to children and their families.

ME: Do you think the Canadian government needs to take more responsibility in addressing the needs of this conflict?

Dave: We believe that the conflict in the DRC requires a regional solution, and Canada, as co-chair of the Friends Group to the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, is well placed to support the Governments of DRC, Rwanda and others in finding a lasting solution for peace and development.

Given that The Mission of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (abbreviated in French as MONUC) primary mandate is the protection of civilians, and given Canada's leadership on the protection of civilians mandate, we would say that there is a logical fit for Canada to provide greater support for the activities and planning of MONUC around the protection of civilians, especially girls and women who are so vulnerable to rape, which has become a frequent weapon of war in this conflict. This will require the concerted efforts of the international community, and we call on Canada to play a lead role in this.

This is the end of part one. Check back on Thursday for the final half of the interview in which Dave describes what we can do as individuals to help those affected by this crisis. He also shares two personal stories of the inspiration and hope that can cause people, and a nation, to heal.

A Wow Moment

2009-06-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to blog about this before I actually post the final result, but I'm sitting here piecing together an interview for tomorrow's post, and I can't help but share what it means to me. I'm simply overwhelmed by emotion, and the generosity of other people.

I've been running this blog for almost a year now, and I love it. I love being able to write and voice my opinions. I love being able to share my passion, and the Streams of Hope vision with you. I pray every time I write that something of it speaks to you as the reader, and inspires you the way that the cause of social justice inspires me.

And today I'm once again blown away by the opportunity that this forum has provided me to talk to people who I have admired for years. One of these people is the President of World Vision, Dave Toycen.

Dave agreed to do an interview for this blog about his recent trip to the Congo. His experience will be shared with all of you here tomorrow, but right now I just have to say: Wow!

World Vision is the organization that truly made me see that the world was big, and wide, and full of problems that had solutions. It made third world poverty an issue that affected me. World Vision effectively humanized a global issue to a child. It started me on this path.

And now I'm sitting here reading the words that Dave so sincerely wrote to explain the incredible hardship and hurt of the people of the DRC. I'm looking at pictures of someone who's been a mentor to me, albeit without realizing this was the case, and I can't believe how blessed I am. I'm literally blown away.

It's a "dream come true"/"life makes sense" kind of feeling. I can't wait to share it with you...

Don't Forget!

2009-06-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that Streams of Hope is partnering with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Quinte Christian High School, and the Quinte Ballet School of Canada for a night of drama and fundraising!

What: Desserts: Uniting Local Students to Help Kids at Risk
When: June 26, 2009 at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: The Organic Underground
Cost: $15.00

This is such a win-win fundraiser! Half of the cost of tickets and donations goes to SOH's school project in India. The other half goes to the drama departments of the schools involved.

I have to admit, this event isn't my baby. All the credit goes to one of our amazing board members, Sue Hood. Her vision was to create an evening of entertainment that brought together local teens to help teens in developing nations. So many people have jumped on board, we had to put a cap on participants! I love the enthusiasm these youth share for helping others. I also love that we get to give back to the local community through this event.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations:

Desert Stream Christian Fellowship
535 Dundas Street East
Belleville, Ontario

LL Financial/ Invested
497 Dundas Street West
Belleville, Ontario

The Clothes Line
7 Market Street
Belleville, Ontario

Buy & Sell Shop
257 Dundas Street East
Trenton, Ontario

Or by emailing SOH, or calling 613-827-4944 (to reserve a spot). Seating is limited, so buy your tickets soon. See you there!

Out of My Skin

2009-06-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here buzzing with excitement, and hope and an overwhelming sense of the goodness of people, God and the potential we have to change the world.

My only purpose right now is to connect you with that feeling as well. Get big. Grow your vision. Be inspired.

These three links, videos, apps, are where I'm at right now. It's what SOH is gunning for: freedom, creativity, and saving lives.

We live at the best possible time.

Eugene Cho's blog is fantastic. His latest post: Visionaries are Crazy is a must read for anyone passionate about changing the world. It includes a video testimonial from Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water. Phenomenal!

This is a social media tool that's uniting people and a cause all over the world. It's too easy not to support. If you're on Twitter, download this app immediately. And follow its creator @arikfr

This TED talk by Clay Shirky (@cshirky for all you Tweeps) will explain to you why I am obsessed with using social media for social justice.

Become a Fan on Facebook

2009-06-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

It's great to read the blog, and follow the tweets, but as we like to think of ourselves as being social media savvy, the next logical step was a Facebook group. This has been up and running for some time now, but for those of you who would like to join, but haven't thought to search us out, please CLICK HERE.

The Facebook group allows you to receive updates about new blog posts, it allows us to invite you to our events (like the fundraiser next Friday), and it gives you the chance to interact with others who share the same passion for social justice. Plus, you can catch up with me there too! What more could you ask for?! :)

You're Invited!

2009-06-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Orphan Diet

2009-06-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

Today I have a huge favour to ask you. I need you to watch the following video, and then I need you to give to this cause. I'm providing all the links and access, but SOH needs you to provide the resources.

This is not our project--this belongs to Absolute Leadership and Hero Holiday--but we're doing our part to help. Extreme poverty can't be fought in isolation. It takes organizations and people working in tandem, all across Canada and the world to beat oppression, disease and malnutrition.

What is The Orphan Diet? It's a statement and a movement. Take a day, or every other day, or a week, or whatever, and live on a little less to provide a child with a little more. Or simply give--as little as $20 can make a difference.

I would never ask you to give to something that I wouldn't, which is why I've already made my donation.

Please watch, please give, and when you do, send Absolute (via website) or Hero Holiday (via their Facebook group) a small note telling them you're donating on behalf of Streams of Hope. Let's show them our support. CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Then share this link by going to the share button on the right of the screen. Put it on your Twitter, your Facebook, whatever social media you use. Let's overwhelm these kids with love!!

Reading List (also know as my Reading 'Wish' List--as I'm wishing for the time to read)

2009-06-04T15:49:00.001-07:00

This post is as much to remind myself of things I want to read, as it is to encourage you to see what the world is saying about social justice, creativity, activisim, etc. It's a melange (yes, I just used the word melange) of ideas, thinkers and topics. Some of these books I have started, others I've finished, and some I have yet to buy.

Please feel free to comment and recommend your own anticipated summer reading picks!

For those of you not yet living in the Twitsphere, the @names are the writers' Twitter profiles.

In no particular order:

1. The Road to Hell - Michael Maren @mmaren

2. Dead Aid - Dambisa Moyo @dambisamoyo

3. The Next Evangelism - Soon-Chan Rah @profrah

4. The Element - Sir Ken Robinson @sirkenrobinson

5. Tribes - Seth Godin @ThisIsSethsBlog

6. Dark Days: The Story of Four Canadians Tortured in the Name of Fighting Terror - Kerry Pither

7. Transforming Power: From the Personal to the Political - Judy Rebick @judyrebick

8. The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World - Jacqueline Novogratz @jnovogratz

9. Who's Your City?: How the Creative Economy is Making Where To Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life - Richard Florida @Richard_Florida

@streamsofhope

2009-06-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

We're finally on Twitter!! Follow us @streamsofhope

Week at a Glance

2009-06-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

Just when you think you might be in for a quiet week, Monday morning hits. I mean this in the best way possible! Between meetings and event invites, I'm swamped. This is a good thing. It means people are seeing what Streams of Hope is doing, and they're liking it. On the other hand, it also means that there are lots of other amazing groups and people working hard for their causes, and SOH is blessed to support them too.

This quick blog post is to let you know of some great events that are happening this week relating to social justice. First is the Munk Debate tonight held at the Royal Ontario Museum. The subject is Foreign Aid and whether it works. It features an all star cast, and you should really watch the webcast tonight if you can. It'll be fantastic!

Another exciting event taking place in Ottawa Tuesday is the parliamentary reception hosted by Kerry Pither, to distribute copies of her book, Dark Days: The Story of Four Canadians Tortured in the Name of Fighting Terrorism. I'm so disappointed that I won't be able to attend this! But I'm thankful for the invitation, and I wanted to let everyone know they should pick up a copy of this insightful, sometimes disturbing read. It's an eye-opener.

Absolute Leadership is doing some great things this week as well, and I can't wait to catch up with them at the Hillsong United Live show at the Molson Amphitheatre this weekend.

And this is only Monday! I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.

On another note: I do a lot of talking here at SOH, but we also want to hear from you. Send an email, let us know how you like the blog, if there's any additional comment that you'd like to see, and suggestions for improvement. Have a super day!

National Committee for UNIFEM: Annual General Meeting

2009-05-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

The Canadian National Committee for UNIFEM is a volunteer driven organization based in Ottawa. It has chapters in Winnipeg, and Toronto. Their mission is to advocate for gender equality, to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS among girls and women, to reduce violence towards women and to strengthen democratic participation of women in peace and in war. To achieve these goals, we advocate and fund raise in Canada for UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women).

It is a pleasure for me to announce their Annual General Meeting:

Thursday, June 11, 2009
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Holland Cross Plaza, Tower B, 2nd Floor, Room 2048
1620 Scott St.
Ottawa, ON
Phone: 6132325751235
Email: unifem@unac.org

They have an exciting and diverse line-up of guest speakers who will talk about the latest challenges facing the United Nations' efforts to achieve justice for the world's women. You don't have to be a member to attend this event, but you do need to RSVP!

Next week I'll be bringing you an interview with current National Committee President, Teresa Whitmore. I'll also be attending the event, and will bring you news and pictures from it ASAP.

I'm so fortunate to be involved directly with this organization. I love it when dynamic people get together for a good cause!

How T.I. got me thinking about the metrics of equality

2009-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed how sometimes life brings you a theme--a word or phrase or situation--that you just can't seem to get rid of? Maybe I'm the only one who gets that, but for the purpose of this blog I'm going to assume you know what I mean.

For me right now the theme seems to be "equality." And it keeps drawing me back to the same question: Do I really believe that everyone is equal?

From a theoretical standpoint, I've always thought I do. I believe everyone deserves access to healthcare, education, sanitation, food, shelter, love, justice, etc, etc. Injustice makes me angry--really angry.

But I'm going to get a bit personal here; I have this problem where sometimes I compare myself to other people. One situation in particular was getting me more upset than it should have, but it really got me thinking: If I don't even believe that I'm equal to everyone else, how can I purport to believe in this grand-scheme equality I'm so passionate about fighting for?

If I can look at myself, and think that someone else is "better" than me, based on my own self-imposed metrics, then that doesn't really jive with my whole "equality for everyone" mentality. I think everyone else is equal but me? How does that compute?

This brought up even bigger questions for me: How do I measure equality? Can it be measured?

Can I advocate for the equality of others when I'm struggling with my own sense of self worth?

Equality was also thematic when I started musing on religion, 'C'hurch, and my perceptions of the hierarchies contained therein. I'm not going to get into this part (it's a whole thesis on its own), except to say that power struggles are everywhere (even though I don't think they're meant to be), and for some reason its all being brought to the forefront of my conscience in very personal ways.

I don't really know why this song by rapper T.I. keeps playing in my head, except that lyrically it fits the equality theme I'm wrestling with--not in a grand scheme way--but in an immediate, personal way.

Can any of us really fight for others before we can accept who we are?

Burma Through the Lens by Ashley Clements

2009-05-21T19:00:00.001-07:00

As promised, here is part two of my interview with Ashley Clements. I can take no credit on part two--these are his pictures and his words. I'm just thankful he wanted to share.

Play Time

On the six-month anniversary of Cyclone Nargis I travelled down to the Delta to see what progress had been made in the response to support those affected. It had been nearly three months since I had last been in Myanmar, so it was great to see the changes. One of the areas that World Vision had been focusing on was what we call Child-Friendly Spaces - places where children can play, interact, and learn in safety, away from the troubles of the outside world. This was one of those places, and as our boat pulled up outside they all ran to meet us before posing inside for this shot.

Furrow

Part of the work that World Vision did after Myanmar's Cyclone Nargis struck in May 2008, was to raise awareness of the ways in which people's lives had been affected and where they still needed support. Perhaps the most critical area was in terms of livelihoods - people's jobs and their ability to earn a living. Much of the residents of the Irrawaddy Delta - the hardest-hit area - are reliant on agriculture, mostly rice-growing. But many of the fields had been contaminated with salt water, damaging the rice crop. To illustrate this problem we waded out into the rice paddies, mud and water up past our knees, and began snapping away. This shot is of a farmer, ploughing his field for the fourth time, still hoping his crop would grow this year.

Sad Eyes

I told many stories of children affected by Cyclone Nargis. But it wasn't until I met this old man that I began thinking more of how the elderly had coped. This old man, who said he was 84 years old, was living on the coast, near where the cyclone came ashore. When he saw it coming, he jumped in his boat and paddled for the hills. He told his story with such passion and sadness in his eyes for the devastation and death that the storm had brought. I tried to capture some of that emotion with this shot.

A Safe Distance

The only way to reach some villages in the remote Irrawaddy Delta of Myanmar is by helicopter, and that's exactly what we did. Some of these villagers had never seen a foreigner, and to arrive by helicopter bearing relief supplies must have been a strange sight indeed. Here, two village elders squat, observing the helicopter as the supplies are off-loaded.

Vue de Ciel

Flying over the cyclone-ravaged Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar by helicopter was a surreal experience. Miles and miles of rice paddies were flooded, and the entire delta seemed to be little more than a giant puddle. Barely any features rose from the flat ground, and imagining the flood waters reaching up to three meters above this level, it was hard to think that anything would be left above water.

Ashley Clements: Advocate and Adventurer

2009-05-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

I don't even really know how to contain my excitement about this interview, which is really unprofessional, I know. At 27, Ashley Clements is living a life I can only dream about. He's a policy advisor and emergency response team member for World Vision Australia, and was recently named a National Geographic Adventure Magazine, Adventurer of the Year. On top of all that he's a world class photographer. This man is not only passionate about social justice, but he lives it out.

This is only part one of a two part interview/pictoral tour that Ash agreed to help me with. He's a busy guy to say the least, so I'm incredibly thankful for his participation! Read, enjoy, and check back for pictures, and a visual tour of Burma (where SOH has also worked) with Ashley.

ME: How did you get involved with World Vision?

Ashley: To be honest, I stumbled across World Vision. I had always known I wanted to work in an area where I could tackle issues of social justice, but I had never really considered working for an NGO. After spending some time working with local organisations in Asia, I moved to Australia and found work in the emergencies team with World Vision. And things grew from there as I discovered the issues that motivated me wrapped up in the emergencies in which we worked.

ME: What is your position at WV?

Ashley: I am the Policy Adviser for the emergency team with World Vision in Australia. My job is pretty much split into two. One side of my job is working on policy papers, lobbying the Australian government, and helping to shape our public messages around developing emergencies. The other side of my job is as a member of our Global Rapid Response Team - a group of about 25 people scattered around the world who are on permanent standby to be deployed to an emergency within 72 hours, for up to 3 months at a time. This second half of my job is field-based advocacy and policy work. It's usually high pressure, high stress, and high risk, but the rewards can be equally great.

ME: What cause/issue/country are you particularly passionate about?

Ashley: I lived in the Middle East for a year or two, and have a particularly soft spot for the region. I love the people, the food, the culture. And the issues that recur in the Middle East are as compelling as they are enduring. I can't help but feel that I'm in the centre of the world when I'm in the region.

ME: How did it feel to be named a National Geographic Adventure Magazine, Top Adventurer?

Ashley: It came very much as a surprise, but a very uplifting one. I have to admit that I was somewhat embarrassed to receive this honour, given the amazing people in my team and in the many other agencies that tirelessly respond to the world's emergencies. But more as a representative of the international community than an individual, I was very proud to receive this accolade from National Geographic.

ME: What drives your interest in social justice?

Ashley: For me it's something I've always felt very passionately about. I have always, from a small child, believed very strongly in fighting for what's 'right' - whatever you see that to be. And I can't imagine ever having a career where this isn't at the centre of what I'm trying to achieve every day.

ME: How do you think people/groups at the grassroots level can best work to advocate for people in developing nations?

Ashley: I think already we are feeling people's awareness changing. Through huge global movements like Make Poverty History or the One Campaign, issues of poverty and justice receive much more attention. But also in respect to crises like Darfur or Burma, advocacy groups have been incredibly successful in making people aware of the issues. The process isn't always as quick as we would like, and in many areas we still have to see the policies change. But a critical step in the process is making people aware, and then leveraging this awareness for change. And this is exactly what many (often very small) advocacy groups are doing so well.

ME: Anything else you want to add?

Ashley: I have been fortunate enough in my career to see some amazing places and meet some amazing people. Being a photographer also has allowed me to document and share many of these experiences with far more power than words can sometimes convey. My photography had been just a hobby for me, but I quickly learnt the power of images. Marrying my enjoyment for photography with my career has proved incredibly rewarding.

Thanks so much for sharing your passion and experience with SOH, Ash!

A Lament for Broken Babies

2009-05-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

Every time I read an article about the atrocity of child soldiers being used as a weapon of war, I am appalled. Everything in me knows this is one of the most despicable things that can happen to a child anywhere. But for some reason today, reading this story from the Toronto Star, it hit me in a new way; knowledge became revelation.

No matter how angry I’ve gotten about this issue before, I’ve always felt rather removed from it—like I’m seeing it as a snapshot of a real situation, not the situation itself. Granted, I live in a country where this just doesn’t happen. I’m blessed. This morning though, as I read the paper, the reality of the injustice became really real. And then I started to question myself.

If you saw the picture attached to the article, and the boy was white, would you care more? Would it hurt you? Do you not think that this child would suffer the same way that your child would? They would both face the same psychological torment, the stigmatization, the broken spirit.

So why then do I let this happen? If I knew my son and his schoolmates were at risk, my heart would break daily. Break. So why does this issue cross my mind only when I see a picture of a seven year old carrying a machine gun?

We must question ourselves, because we are the ones letting this happen. If this were my son, or yours, and we were powerless to stop the violence, wouldn’t we pray that someone would help? Wouldn’t we plead? Wouldn’t we cry out?

At some point we must realize that this is our fight. We have been given the power, by very nature of where we were born, to do something. We have to realize that we’re not just alive for ourselves. I’m not just alive for my own son—the boy in this picture is my son too—it takes a global village to save these children. And if I saw your son or daughter, begging for their life, I pray I’d have it in me to help. This is what’s happening in Africa. Why aren’t we acting?

Charlotte Barker: Social Media & Social Justice

2009-05-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

Charlotte Barker is a recent graduate of Loyalist College’s Advertising program, and as They Integrated’s summer ‘Twitern’ she is their expert in all things social media, for They Integrated. I asked her to be a part of the blog because social media has begun to transform into a viable online means to advocate for social justice. Her knowledge and passion to utilize this outlet to benefit others is inspiring. It takes people from all fields, working together, to change the world.

ME: How did you get involved in the field of social media?

Charlotte: While completing my diploma in Advertising at Loyalist College, I participated in a four-month internship at They Integrated. During my time there, I was introduced to Twitter. Once I understood how it worked, I started to see the benefits and the potential in it. I couldn’t believe the mass of information that is freely shared and absorbed over this network. I joined other networks and began reading every article I could on social media to gain a better understand and an appreciation of it. Since then I have fully submerged myself in as much I can to continue learning all that I can and to develop ways to utilize these networks.

ME: How would you define social media?

Charlotte: Social media is all about connecting with people via social networks. For me, it’s about social involvement and making connections with amazing people who are passionate about the same things. It’s about making an online presence and utilizing networking tools to express who you are and what you stand for, and engaging people in your conversations. Most of all it’s about being real.

ME: How do you envision using social media to further the cause of social justice?

Charlotte: I am a strong believer in using social media for social justice. There is so much potential in that we are given an opportunity to network with a mass population and to connect with individuals sharing the same vision. For a brand or an organization, it’s a perfect opportunity to gain PR and advertising, especially non-profit or low budget organizations, because it costs basically nothing to get involved in other than the time it takes to maintain your profiles. It is an amazing way to create a buzz and awareness about your organization while allowing people to connect with your cause on a personal level. Having your organization involved in SM allows you to give back to the people that you engage with by sharing relevant information and communicating messages that are important to your audience. I see SM being used as a voice to a means of action by individuals and groups that are passionate about a cause. I hope that many people and organizations will begin to utilize this tool. The benefits are endless when you give a cause a voice that reaches hundreds of influential people. Good things can start to happen.

ME: Do you recommend any forms of social media over others?

Charlotte: For me, I have definitely found that Twitter is a powerful SM tool because there is such a large amount of freely shared information that gets passed along reaching all kinds of people from all kinds of places. A Blog is another influential tool because it is a tool of free expression that can be visited continuously and contains all the information you want to be communicating. I also like Facebook because of the ability to form a group and a fan page that people can belong to and receive updates and information from.

ME: Anything else you want to add?

Charlotte: All in all, I am in love with social media and the possibilities of it, and am intrigued with the influence and impact it can have. There is such an excitement about being able to connect with so many people daily and being able to freely distribute information and passions. Although I have only just begun my involvement, I hope to continue to embrace Social Media and learn everything I can from it.

Thanks so much Charlotte, for sharing your knowledge and expertise with SOH!

Things I'm Thinking About Right Now

2009-05-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of things that are on my mind this weekend:

1. Only one day left to buy charity: water Mother's Day cards! I love them. So gorgeous. One $20 card provides someone with clean water for 20 years! You can't get a better bang for your buck.

2. Twitter. Get following these amazing organizations now: @charitywater, @EarthDayCanada, @therescue, @capitalvday, and @MalariaNoMore.

3. India, education, and fundraising plans

4. Online Interview #2 on Monday!! Keep checking back for more.

5. A possible trip to Washington, DC...more to come...

Have a fantastic Mother's Day weekend! You were born for a purpose. If you're not living it out, it's time to start. Thank your mom that you were born, and get moving!

Rubbing Hands Together in Glee

2009-05-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Today I'm excited to bring you some good news! I'm going to be running a series of online interviews with some amazing people with huge hearts for social justice. They're from a number of different fields, but they all have a similar vision.

Today I'm going to introduce you to one of these. His name is Ken Wiles, and he's the man who will be carrying out the school building project in India in July that SOH is supporting. Here's a snippet of correspondence that we recently had that I want to share with you.

In the summer of 2007 a team made up of three adults and four teens travelled from Belleville to Varanasi, India to assist Sampurn Development India with a number of service related projects. Over a three week period of time our team was involved in renovating an orphanage, helping with the drilling of water wells, and teaching children in the slums and village schools.

It was on this tour that it was pointed out to us that the hundred or more children in this village now had access to clean water, but did not have a school or any access to even a very basic education.

Susan John shared with me the dream that SDI has of one day being able to raise up schools everywhere they are able to drill new water wells. In this way they will not only be able to bring health to a whole village, they will also bring hope for a generation of children who are being left behind in one of the world's fastest growing economies.

Even with all the amazing growth in the Indian economy, the real and ever present challenge of rural poverty is a major struggle for nearly two thirds of the population of the country. It is for this reason that we have taken up the challenge laid out before us by Ben and Susan John. Through our involvement with the QBC India Teams we are seeking to make a difference one village at a time.

This summer's India team project is to build a school in the same village in Robertsganj where SDI drilled a well on our last visit. It is our dream that this will be the first of many such projects that will bring hope and a brighter future for the children of India.

Can you really look into any child's eyes and tell them they don't deserve an education?

The Absolute Gala!

2009-05-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

What an amazing weekend! I had the privilege of attending the annual fundraising gala for Absolute Leadership Development. Absolute's aim is to empower emerging generations to live with purpose and change their world. I've blogged about this organization before, but after meeting this crew and seeing what they do, I'm even more excited to support their work.

They get social justice. And most importantly they LIVE IT OUT! They also work incredibly hard to give Canadian youth a purpose and vision. I'm definitely planning on going on a Hero Holiday myself. (After my trip to Uganda, I am completely addicted to humanitarian relief work.)

Christal(co-founder), Angela (event planner extraordinaire), and Vaden (co-founder)

While I was there, I picked up a copy of Vaden Earle's book One: A Face Behind the Numbers. I sat up last night reading it for hours, totally engrossed by what I already know to be true, but feeling a renewed sense of anger at injustice, and motivation to do even more to fight it.

I understand that I'm only one person. I know that I can't save everyone. But when we all combine our efforts we get louder. AND LOUDER!!

We all have a part to play in shouting at the walls of injustice and inequality until they come crashing down.

I encourage you to click on the link above and take a look at this book. All proceeds of its sale go to the charity.

My New Favourite Charity (minus SOH of course)

2009-05-01T12:16:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had a meeting with SOH's Executive Director, Kevin Dowling, and our newest project partner, Ken Wiles, to discuss building a school in northern India. This project will definitely be happening at the end of July, and I'll have more details soon. However, in our conversation it came up that the school really needs a drilled well to facilitate education, health, and community development (this won't just be a school, but also a meeting place, church, etc.)

This got me thinking about WATER!

I found this amazing organization, via Twitter, called Charity: Water. These guys do awesome work!! I'm really inspired by them, and I'm supporting them by purchasing their Mother's Day e-cards.

Did you know you can give a person clean drinking water for 20 years for only $20?! This blew me away. I want you to support them too! If you don't have a "Mother" to send the card to, send one to me! I'm a mom! And I want to give people fresh water!

Also, a friend pointed out to me a really startling new documentary, called Flow, which is all about the privatization of water. I've posted the trailer below.

I know there are a lot of huge problems in the world, but all you have to do is get passionate about one or two to make a difference. It doesn't have to be overwhelming. The great thing about Charity: Water, and SOH is that just a little money goes an extremely long way. (We only need to raise $8000 to build and school AND dig a well in India. That's pocket change in Canada.)

Happy Mother's Day!

Until The Violence Stops: Parliamentary Reception

2009-04-30T18:15:00.001-07:00

Eve Ensler and I (!)

On Tuesday night I was honoured to be a participant at a parliamentary reception hosted by Paul Dewar, MP Ottawa-Centre. Paul serves as the foreign affairs critic for the NDP. Although our politics may differ slightly, the issue of sexual violence as a weapon of war, is one that blasts any partisan lines into oblivion. Stephen Lewis was also a speaker, and he's really a genius, and so genuine. Of course, Eve Ensler took the stage as well, which was thrilling--this woman is a force to be reckoned with. I had the privilege of talking to her after the event, and I got her blessing to host a V-Day event in Belleville in 2010 (more to come on that later).

Stephen Lewis chatting with participants after the event.

What's happening is this: the use of rape and sexual violence is becoming pervasive as a strategy of war. Although there are growing instances of male victimization, women and girls are disproportionately affected by this abuse. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over 1000 women are raped EVERY MONTH as a weapon of war. Many (most) of these women and children are raped multiple times, by multiple men.

This is not only devastating physically, but psychologically and socio-ecomonically. The stigma, discrimination and exclusion that haunt these victims of sexual violence have far-reaching effects, including the erosion of the family and community fabrics.

Silence and indifference have characterized the global response to this phenomenon for too long. The situation in the DRC and Sudan should remind us that the fight against genocide and crimes against humanity remains an all-encompassing political issue. We need this to stop.

Very few signs of progress have emerged (and a lot of it is ignorance on our part--yes, it's you and me--read here why--this was startling), but the UN Security Council is currently adopting new resolutions which should assist the international community in protecting women.

I know this can sound like a lot of facts, but I'm going to take the time to write about what this means to me very soon. I feel a call to arms stirring in my spirit.

Eve told stories of women who had been raped so brutally they no longer had bladders or rectums. She told of a woman she'd met who had been shot in the vagina, and left for dead after having been tortured and raped. The woman lived, and had to wait for months to have the surgery necessary to make her body barely functional. I'm sorry to get a bit graphic here. Actually, I'm not. We NEED to hear this, because it's such an abomination. Eve told of another girl, yes, GIRL, who was tied to a wagon wheel upside down for a week, and raped over 50 times by well over 50 men. These stories are sadly the norm. This is life for a woman in the DRC. This is life for women in Afghanistan, Sudan, remember Rwanda (?), and how many other countries?!

Oh yes, I will have more to say on this topic very, very soon. Check out this blog to hear more about the evening, and another story that will shake you to the core.

I know this post broke all the rules of blogging: too long, too much info, etc. But bare with me. I'm done for now.

I NEED to Update!

2009-04-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

I have had a CRAZY week! Lots of travelling, lots of wonderful people, but no time to blog. I just wanted you all to know I am going to post pics of the parliamentary reception ASAP. I want to be able to sit down without distraction to explain just what went on, and why you need to care about what happened Tuesday night in Ottawa. (P.S. I met Eve Ensler--the founder of V-Day!!)

SOH also has a really great project on the go. The focus is India, education, and clean water. I can't wait to give you all the details. Keep checking back for updates. By tomorrow I should be back on track.

For now, please look at the following websites. I'm going to a gala for Absolute Leadership Development. Absolute Leadership Development is a not-for-profit organization that exists to empower emerging generations to live with purpose and change their world. I love this!! I can't wait to be part of this event. Absolute also runs Hero Holiday, which facilitates humanitarian relief trips for youth. This is going to be a great night, and I'll be sharing pics and stories with you when I get back.

We all need to work together to bring peace, justice, and equality to the world. It's a big job, and I'm so thankful to be connected with so many people who feel so passionate about this vision.

More V-Day Pics

2009-04-28T06:46:00.001-07:00

Jen, Me (Bryna), and Lora--the UNIFEM girls

UNIFEM cards

Jen, Laura (one of the evening's organizers), and Lora

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, MP Vancouver-Centre

After the reading, in the lobby. You can sort of see the back of Bill Welychka's head in this shot (I'm no pro photographer).

Paul Dewar, MP Ottawa-Centre

Adrian Harewood, the night's MC.

V-Day Breakdown

2009-04-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

V-Day in the Capital was an amazing evening of drama, social activism, fellowship, and celebs! I'm so pleased that I was able to be a part of this event, which not only raised money for UNIFEM, but also for Family Services of Ottawa, and to build a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kudos to the organizers of the event--Laurie and Laura--who did a fantastic job!! (I might be inspired to bring V-Day to Belleville in 2010...What am I talking about "might?" I TOTALLY am!!)

Adrian Harewood, of CBC's All in a Day, was the MC, and speakers included Bill Welychka (who I grew up watching on MuchMusic), human rights activist and author, Kerry Pither, actor Todd Duckworth, MP Paul Dewar, and the Honourable Dr. Hedy-Fry, MP of Vancouver-Centre, and more!

Each participant read a piece from A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer, edited by Eve Ensler, V-Day's founder. It was incredibly powerful, and it really reminded me why I'm passionate about social justice. We just can't sit back and function in a world where women are being so persecuted that they've created a new term, RERAPE, to describe what is going on in places like the DRC.

The mass brutalization of women, especially in developing nations, is not only an assault on women, but on humanity. There is not one boy without a mother; one man without a grandmother. By terrorizing women, the attack is not just on gender, but on LIFE.
Tomorrow I'm going to a parliamentary reception on the Hill addressing genocide prevention. Paul Dewar, MP of Ottawa-Centre will be there--his passion for the DRC, and his vision to see Canada an active participant in the eradication of violence against women, is inspiring. I will also have the honour of hearing Eve Ensler and Stephen Lewis speak. I'll bring you a full report as soon as I can.

For now, here are some pictures of V-Day. I'm hoping to have a couple more up soon.

MC Adrian Harewood

Bill Welychka and Kerry Pither

Todd Duckworth and Paul Dewar

The whole cast, taking a bow.

Today is World Malaria Day

2009-04-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

https://give.malarianomore.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=382

I'm off to Ottawa for V-Day today, and extrememly excited for a great night, and week to come (back in Ottawa Tuesday for a parliamentary reception with Eve Ensler and Stephen Lewis, plus the Absolute Gala--more info on both these amazing nights to come!)

But before I go, I wanted to remind you that today is World Malaria Day!! Go to the website, and support this cause!

I'll have pictures of tonight's event, and lots more fun to talk about next week. Have a safe weekend, and go save the world!

Bryna

Reminder: V-Day is Saturday

2009-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that V-Day in the Capital is Saturday! I'm going to be there with the team from UNIFEM. It's a great event that will support initiatives that aim to end violence and injustice against women. Please come and lend your support. Tickets are still available by calling the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa 819-776-7000

Why Do You Give?

2009-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about what to blog on, and I think it's better sometimes to let other people do the work. Which is why I'm asking you to answer the question: Why do you give?

What issues inspire you? What causes grip your heart? They don't have to be the same as ours at SOH. I'd just really like to know. So please post your comments. I'd love to hear from you...whoever you are.

Helping Each Other Out

2009-04-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a link to a local organization, Quinte United Immigrant Services, which offers direct, essential services to newcomers to Canada including reception, orientation, translation/interpretation, referral to community resources, solution focused counselling, general information, and employment-related services to meet the needs of newly arrived immigrants any time after their arrival in Canada through the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program, the Newcomer Settlement Program.

I'm posting this for a couple reasons:

1. They help out a lot of people, which is reason enough.

2. They have a new blog, which a colleague (I can say that now) of mine set up for them.

3. The 50 Good Deeds for 50 Days challenge has started! What better way to use social media then to perform good deeds. This counts as one for me.

V-Day in the Capital

2009-04-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! What a gorgeous spring day!! Ok, now that I got that out of my system...

I'm really excited to let you know about an event that I'll be volunteering for (with my friends at UNIFEM). It's called V-Day in the Capital: A Memory, A Monologur, A Rant and A Prayer. It will be held at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec on April 25, 2009. Follow THIS LINK to find out more.

A part of the evening's proceeds goes to benefit UNIFEM, and tickets are only $40 for an evening of theatre at a stellar venue.

What is V-Day?

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

The V-Day movement is growing at a rapid pace throughout the world, in 120 countries from Europe to Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, and all of North America. V-Day, a non-profit corporation, distributes funds to grassroots, national and international organizations and programs that work to stop violence against women and girls. In 2001, V-Day was named one of Worth Magazine's "100 Best Charities" and in 2006 one of Marie Claire Magazine's Top Ten Charities. In ten years, the V-Day movement has raised over $60 million.

It's Been Awhile!

2009-04-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for falling behind in the blog postings. It's not that nothing has been happening--quite the contrary; I've been really busy!

Tonight we're having a Streams of Hope board meeting, so I expect to have some news to report after that.

For now, here's an article and a website to check out.

The Toronto Star had this story in it today about Afghan women struggling to secure rights in their marriage.

A good friend of mine, and one of our Uganda trip volunteers pointed out this amazing initiative by World Vision--April 25th is World Malaria Day. You can participate, and help to end this unnecessary killer.

I'm Published! Sort of...

2009-04-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a short post. I keep staring at the screen blankly today. Usually I have lots to say!

I actually do have a new project I'm going to blog about soon. It's a personal passion thing, that I'm hoping SOH will be able to benefit from. It's also a way to give back to our local community, which is really important too. I'm pretty excited, but as I haven't gotten the OK yet (I'm still in the research/proposal writing stage) I don't want to spoil the surprise.

What I did find is an interview that I wrote, that my colleague (I can say that now that school's almost done--she's actually one of the best professors and PR people in the world, Kerry Ramsay) published on her blog. If you scroll down a bit, you can see the results of our Loyalist PR PRISM Award ceremony too.

Loyalist PR

I'm also posting a TED talk that is partly connected to the new project I'm working on. It's also one that Kerry presented to us in class. It's really funny, and creative, and brilliant.

UNIFEM Canada

2009-04-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything for awhile, and for this I apologize. Things have been incredibly busy, but WOW new opportunities for Streams of Hope (and for me personally) are coming in fast and furious.

I wanted to post a link to another organization I'm working with currently. I think it's important to get involved in our passions wherever they lead, and this is just one more place where I get to fight the good fight for social justice and equality.

UNIFEM is the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and I encourage you to check out the link HERE. I'm going to be doing some volunteer work for them, and this opportunity is probably one of the most exciting I've ever had!

Here's a secret: My ultimate, pinnacle, dream-job would be working in some capacity for the United Nations. To be able to help them already, even in a small way, blows my mind.

The Ottawa chapter (which is the one I'm getting involved in) will be hosting their AGM in May. I'm encouraging everyone to become a member before then. Come out and join us in May! More details will follow as the date gets near. The website gives all the details.

I am FURIOUS!

2009-03-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

I have never hated injustice more than I do in this moment. Never, ever, ever have I been so angry about something in my life. Ever. Wow. I can't even explain how I'm feeling.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And whoever "they" are, they're right. This video is startling, and horrifying, and heartbreaking. But if it isn't enough to make you want to do something about injustice, indignity, and oppression, I don't know what is.

This is only four minutes, but it might be the most important four minutes of photography you will ever experience.

(You're going to have to indulge my love of TED talks for one moment here.)

Reigniting the Passion

2009-03-25T06:04:00.000-07:00

Some days just drag on and on, don't they? Let's be honest, some weeks feel like they'll never end. To tell you the truth, this is one of those weeks for me. Life is good. I can't complain. I might be a little overwhelmed with work and school, but nothing is wrong.

However, I did find myself getting so bogged down with the day to day stuff, that I was beginning to forget who I really was, and what I feel passionate about.

Yesterday I had a meeting with Kevin about the future of Streams of Hope. We were having a good chat, but still I didn't feel totally engaged the way I usually do. That's when Kevin brought out a video that put me right back in my place in the best way possible: Bono speaking about Africa.

I've posted this link before, but I don't care. I love it. And once in awhile we need a reminder of our vision and purpose. This video makes me feel it all again.

I was reading a book the other day, and it spoke about how so many people look down and in at themselves. Watch people walking down a street, where are they looking? The trap is focusing on self. What happens when we lift our eyes to the horizon? What do we see? Bono is so good at helping us lift our eyes.

Enjoy the video...Reignite your passion...

Kevin's Blog

2009-03-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

I was just reading Kevin's blog today, and I had to post the link! He has such a way with words, and his stories always inspire me.

Pictures From Our Fundraiser

2009-03-20T07:17:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Nathan for providing us with some random shots of the fundraising dinner. I thought I'd post a few for your perusal. We had such a great night!

(All of the products in the pictures are fair-trade, and available for purchase--just in case you're interested.)

Fundraising Success!

2009-03-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Quick update: Our fundraising dinner raised OVER $1000.00 for the Streams of Hope project in Uganda. Thank you again to everyone who came out, and gave so generously.

Keep checking back. We'll have more stories from the team, and we'll be letting you know about where SOH is going to work next.

THANK YOU!!

2009-03-13T06:34:00.001-07:00

Wow! That's all I have to say...Of course that's not really the truth. I have a lot to say.

Last night SOH hosted a fundraising dinner along with Loyalist Public Relations students. The event was a huge success. Final numbers aren't in yet, but we raised money, heard fantastic speakers, watched a gorgeous slideshow, and listened the startling facts about Third World debt, disease, and poverty.

Thank you to all of those who were involved in the event as organizers and volunteers. Thank you to the media for coming out to see what SOH is doing. And the biggest thank you goes to all of the community members who gave of their time and money to help people all over the world.

We're so excited!

Pictures and more event details to come.

Innovation & Ideas for International Development

2009-03-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows I love the TED talks! My dream would be to go to the TED Conference and see it live (I have so many dreams). Check this one out.

For anyone who wants a better understanding of international development, corporate social responsibility, and for some plain old inspiration, Bill Gates knows what's up.

I'm SO INSPIRED Right Now!

2009-03-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

This little girl is Mak, and she is absolutely the sweetest girl I met when I was in Uganda. It's funny how different people strike at chords within us. I know many of our team had similar experiences with different people over the course of the trip. But for me it was Mak. I love her. I really do.

The other day I was missing her, and feeling quite sad about having to leave her in Uganda. It wasn't her situation though, or the state of poverty she lived in. Those were stark realities, but in this case I was just feeling selfish and wanted to pack her in my luggage and take her home.

Today I was bombarded by emails and phone calls of support and encouragement for our SOH fundraising dinner. We had some great media coverage for the event, and I'm so thankful that people in our community are responding to our vision. The fundraiser is tipping the scales number-wise, and I'm hoping that we raise a tremendous amount of money for Outreach to Africa and SOH.

The side effect was that it made me a little less sad about having to leave Mak behind. I can be so much more effective here--raising funds and supporting her (and many other people) from afar. It's so exciting. I'm so thankful for the support. You've all really encouraged and inspired me.

Let's just love people because we can!

Intelligencer Article

2009-03-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

Streams of Hope pairs groups with global projects

Trentonian Article

2009-03-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Streams of Hope launches community partnership initiative

Check out our local media coverage!

We Have A Website!

2009-03-06T05:40:00.000-08:00

SOH has its official website up and running! Please check it out.

I'm not sure what shape the blog will take as a result, but for those of you interested in keeping track of SOH activity, and becoming more involved, this forum will be fluid and evolving as we do.

We're looking forward to hearing your feedback about the site.

Link: Streams of Hope Website

A Call to Arms

2009-03-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

Every person in these pictures has lost a family member to AIDS. All those people sitting on the bench are waiting to get tested for HIV--or worse, waiting for their children and grandchildren to be tested. The little girl in the green shirt, her name is Olive. She's 11 years old, and she has HIV. She's only alive because of anti-retroviral drugs. The woman sitting in front of her house with her three children, she has full blown AIDS. As I write this I don't even know if she's still alive. Her AIDS had progressed, and she was told she didn't have much time left.

This is Africa. This is what we've ignored. These are the faces of victims of inaction and indifference. If these people move you, get involved. We're here, and we're doing, and we'd love for you to join.

Pictures

2009-03-04T09:54:00.001-08:00

I'm in the process of adding pictures to the blog. Check out the posts and the side bar for new pictures. It's sporadic, but I hope to have lots up soon.

Fundraising Dinner

2009-03-01T16:49:00.001-08:00

Streams of Hope will be hosting a fundraising dinner on March 12, 2009 from 6:30-9pm at the Bay of Quinte Country Club on Hwy 2 in Belleville. The cost will be $20 at the door, and includes a buffet dinner and small donation.

It's a great opportunity to come out and hear the experiences of the team from Uganda, see pictures of the trip, and find out what SOH is doing around the world. We will have testimonials from the team, and founder Kevin Dowling will give a presenation. There will also be a silent auction of Ugandan art and photography by Colin Cook.

Please RSVP to me by March 9, 2009.

Phone: 613-827-4944
Email: quintesoh@yahoo.ca

Uganda Thoughts...

2009-02-27T09:09:00.000-08:00

OK, here are my impressions of Africa, as scattered and broken as they may seem...

First off, the notion that "poverty is relative" is completely false. There is nothing in Canada to compare poverty in Africa with. Even homeless people in winter in Canada have it better than most people here. The difference is social systems. Here, there is none. There is barely infrastructure like roads, sewage, waste disposal, etc. There is literally NOTHING to support people in a general way, just a lot of nonprofits trying really, really hard to touch the lives they can, but without government support it's impossible.

The other thing that makes the poverty completely different is the fact that it is dirty and diseased. EVERYWHERE. Even the dirt is contaminated. People have to defecate in the streets, livestock live in peoples' homes in the city. Children play in human and animal excrement. There is no real control over communicable disease here because you still have to have the money to afford the testing for things like malaria, and only after you've been tested will they give out the "free" medication. Completely ridiculous. So most people just live with it, and infect others, and the cycle continues. There are so many people here too. All the time there are people everywhere. They're just piled on top of each other. And POLLUTION!!! I can't even explain the air quality.

Even being a student, up to my eyeballs in debt, I am richer than almost everyone I see. Even my six year old has more money in RESP's than these kids will ever have. It's disgusting. Every piece of clothing you've ever sent to the Salvation Army is here, being resold. Africa is the world's dumping ground.

It only costs about $200 to send a child to a decent boarding school here, and way less for public school, but there are so many kids on the street. No one has the money to pay for education, and that's what it all comes down to: access to education. Like I said, there are just so many people. The schools have zero resources. A blackboard, and kids sit on the floor. No posters, no worksheets, no nothing. Today I went to a school where there were 800 kids, and only THREE female squat toilets.

What do these people need? They need money. Bottomline. They need money directed to the places that are actually being accountable for where their resources go. Outreach to Africa, the organization I'm with is one of those. They're committed to community development, and it's working, but they need money too. It's neverending, There's so much to be done.

Despite the negative, there is so much hope here. But don't ever think they don't know what they're missing. They do. It's just that there are some amazing nation changers in the young adult generation, and people like Evelyn (the OTA ED) that are doing great work, and reaching goals, and bringing education, healthcare, and a future to the children here. But it's so overwhelming.

On an individual basis we need to reevaluate how we steward our finances. We need to see that people everywhere are our concern. They really are. This trip will totally change the way I spend my money. It's amazing to think what $200 can do for the life of one child, and then how it will reverberate to their children and grandchildren. I know from now on I will focus on sponsoring children here through school. Education is the best gift you can give anyone and it will truly change Africa forever.

Today I was surrounded by about 20 precious little primary school kids dressed in ragged uniforms, but singing If You're Happy and You Know It with all the excitement of six year olds in Canada. If I can't take responsibility for their future after this experience, I have a serious problem.

I love it here. Africa has my heart.

Bryna's Travel Journal: We're in Amsterdam!

2009-02-05T23:46:00.000-08:00

Just keeping everyone updated as to our status: We safely arrived in Amsterdam!

It's 8:50am (2:50am for you all). I'm eating a delicious ham and cheese croissant. That's really all the excitement.

We're tired, but excited. Our flight was six hours, and the next leg of the journey is nine. Our layover is four hours. That equals 19 hours of travel time! OK, I must be off. Juli and I need to walk off some croissant.

Interesting Video

2009-02-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

Today in class (I'm a Public Relations student for those who don't know), we were talking about multi-cultural PR--how a propos considering the trip is just three short days away. We watched this YouTube video. It's short and I think you'll like it!

Bryna's Travel Journal: First Entry!

2009-01-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

*NOTE: Any of my travel journal entries are totally my own opinion, and don't necessarily reflect those of Streams of Hope. That's hilarious. I've always wanted to say that. I'm easily amused.*

For the first time today I found myself getting a bit sad because I have to leave my son for 18 days! I know, some of you might be thinking, "What? You're JUST getting sad about that now?!" But before you go there, I should explain that this is something I've wanted to do for my WHOLE life!! This is the fulfillment of a dream for me, so there hasn't been much point in getting sad or scared or anything.

However, he's been feeling really sick lately, and as a result has been extra snuggly (or too weak to fight off my constant hugging). I kept thinking how much I would miss that while I'm gone. Then the thought dawned on me: I'm going to be with 170 kids who NEVER have a mom to kiss them better.

I asked Nick today if he knew what I would be doing while away, and he said I would be seeing elephants, lions and zebras. So I asked him if he knew what an orphanage was, and he didn't. I gave him the jist of it, and he looked at me with huge eyes. The whole "not having a mom or dad" thing was completely beyond him. Thank God (literally)! It's all to real though for MILLIONS of kids like him. MILLIONS!!!

So I snapped out of my melancholy, and remembered that it's a time to set an example for my son about how to deal with the world. I'm not saying that everyone has to travel to a Third World country to do this. You can extend kindness and love to your neighbours, co-workers, strangers--our kids see all of that. There are enough kids in our own country living in poverty and loneliness that we should be spurred to action daily. But because this is my passion, I have to live it out for his sake; so that when he figures out what his passion is--how he wants to change the world--he'll be brave enough to do it.

OK, I'm done for today.

Love, love, love,
ME

Cultural Information

2009-01-23T12:23:00.000-08:00

One of the questions that was asked at our group meeting for the Uganda trip was relating to culture and customs. A knowledge of proper etiquette can mean a lot overseas. I'm sure we can all think of examples, and some lively ones were given at the meeting too! Thanks for the visuals guys...

Anyway, I did a little searching and have found a good website from the Government of Canada detailing all the info you could want on all things politically correct in Uganda (click here to check it out).

Another federal service is the Registration of Canadians Abroad. I'm doing it for sure (mainly because it's free). If you sign up then they (Canadian consolate) knows where to find you in case of emergency.

Thank you Stephen Harper for doing such a fabulous job of keeping Canadian's safe and educated about traveling abroad.

P.S. This is a pic of me at the PM's house. I'm standing with his wife. I couldn't find my pic with him. That's why he gets a shout out.

Donate NOW to Outreach to Africa via SOH

2009-01-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

The trip to Africa is mere weeks away, and I wanted to make sure to post the information about the organization we are assisting in Uganda. Please check out the Outreach to Africa website to get all the details.

Are you excited yet?! I know I am.

We are still bringing in funds for this project as well. Please consider giving as the trip nears. It's never too late to DONATE to this, or any other, Streams of Hope project. Remember, 100% of your donation is going to build a rec centre at the orphanage you will see on the Outreach to Africa website. The building itself will in all reality be used for much more than recreational purposes. None of your money is wasted. In fact, your donation will really quadruple in value because of the price of supplies and labour in Uganda. Talk about RETURN ON INVESTMENT!

The best thing (in my opinion) about donating to this trip financially, is that you will get to see exactly where your money is going. I'm going to be blogging the whole trip, posting photos, and my personal travel diary. I will also be doing interviews with some of the kids your generosity is directly affecting, and I want all team members sharing input, so it won't just be my opinion up here.

So contact me, or send your cheques to:

Streams of Hope

535 Dundas St. E

Belleville, ON

K8N 5P6

It's tax deductible, and you get to feel GREAT about helping others!

The Long Way Down

2009-01-16T07:15:00.001-08:00

Those who know me well know that I am currently obsessed with the 2007 TV series "Long Way Down" starring Ewen McGregor and Charley Boorman. It's amazing: two guys, an entourage of cameramen, a medic, producer/director, and various others, travel from John O'Groats, Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa on motorbikes.

I started watching it to get a feel for Africa. I wanted to see the people, the environment, the culture before I actually got there myself. I'm now completely excited about this trip! Granted, we're not travelling on motorbikes, but it should be an adventure nonetheless.

Anyone going on the trip should take a look. It's truly an awe inspiring place, filled with wonderful people, tragic history, but an exceeding abundance of joy, hope and laughter. Hats off to Ewen and Charley for making Africa accessible and real to all of us.

Amazing Blog Link!

2009-01-09T09:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

Sorry for the lack of blogging over the holidays. I made it my goal to do as little as possible. Success! Anyway, the following blog is AMAZING. It's written by a young woman who has worked in Uganda. Her story is wonderful, and brave, and inspiring. Please take a look at The Journey as it's so aptly entitled.

What Does it Take for Us to Act?

2008-12-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas, and rather than enjoying the season I've found myself trapped in one of the pitfalls--last minute shopping. As I write I'm remembering the woman who was trampled by a crowd of zealous shoppers at an American Wal-Mart. I'm thinking of my own frustration/panic attack at being stuck in a parking lot at a local mall. How completely ridiculous! Who have we become? Who have I become?!

Don't get me wrong. I love buying people gifts. I love this time of year. I think it's important, namely to remember the birth of Christ, and also to show our love and appreciation for all the people who make a difference in our lives. But there has to be something more to it. When we get to the point we would literally kill for a Wii, we have to realize something is wrong; our priorities are skewed.

I came across this website via the Globe and Mail today, and I encourage you to take a look. If you're like me--overwhelmed and over-shopped--this puts life back into perspective. We're so blessed to live in Canada, and that's why we have to give and act.

Merry Christmas!

Links for Uganda Travellers

2008-12-22T07:04:00.001-08:00

Here are some useful links that I've come across in my online research into Uganda. For those of you going on the trip in February, these should give you an idea of history, culture, news and media, etc. They're a great resource though for anyone who wants to know more about the country. Happy travelling!

The New Vision--Ugandan news website

The New York Times--Uganda Profile and links

Voyage Canada--Travel Report and Profile

BBC News--Country Profile

An Alternative View

2008-12-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

Short post, big idea!

I know a lot of you don't have the time to sit on your computer for hours watching videos. BUT the great thing about TED.org is that you can download them and watch them later. So here's another...

I think this is a VERY important idea. The notion of charity/foreign aid v. entrepreneurship and community development. Please listen to what Andrew Mwenda has to say. It's probably 20 of the most vital minutes of opinion on Africa you will watch. It's all at once less, and more, idealistic than Bono's point of view. You have to see it to understand what I mean. I hope though, that it will bring to light the place that Streams of Hope wants to work from: one of empowerment, and long-term sustainable development.

If this doesn't inspire you...

2008-12-09T07:00:00.001-08:00

I've blogged before about my love for TED.org, and I know some of you have checked it out. This site is honestly why we should all love technology. It takes some of the most brilliant minds, inspiring topics, and controversial issues, and puts them all in one place. This is the thinking man's internet. It's about ideas, the transfer of knowledge, and changing the world (three things I'm partial to).

It's also a fantastic resource for those of you wanting to know more about Africa, social justice, and the global movement to end poverty. Yesterday, as I was trolling the site I stumbled across Bono's plea to TED members, and all of us, to think and act on the crisis in Africa. You need to WATCH IT (click here to do so).

Africa is a continent in flames, as Bono says. See why Streams of Hope is passionate about putting out the fire of injustice and igniting hope and renewal in the lives of the people of Uganda.

But enough with the metaphors--if this doesn't light a fire under you (couldn't resist!) I don't know what will.

Luncheon Rescheduled

2008-12-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

The Streams of Hope luncheon that was planned for Thursday, December 4 at the River Inn was cancelled. It has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 15 from 12-2pm at the River Inn, Corbyville. We're sorry for any inconveniece this might have caused, but we look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Behind the Scenes: Kevin Dowling, Executive Director

2008-12-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

This is the second interview in our "Behind the Scenes" series. I'm so excited to present this online interview that I did with Kevin Dowling, SOH's Executive Director. Kevin's my boss and his passion and excitement for social justice is contagious! I've seen him turn skeptics into believers in mere moments by explaining his vision. I think deep down everyone wants to change the world. Kevin is the kind of person who knows how to motivate you to do your part.

So, without further ado; get inspired!

ME: What ignited your passion for international development?

Kevin: To be honest with you it kind of caught me by surprise. I was asked by a youth group I led, to take them on an excursion to Mexico. I didn't even really want to go but it was in my job description to work with these youth, so... I made a few phone calls and the next thing I knew I was in Tijuana, Mexico. We worked with a lady from Imperial Beach California, who looked like the Aunt Jemima Lady. She had been making daily treks across the border into Mexico for over 20 years, bringing van loads of food and a heart of hope with every trip. By the end of that week (18 years ago) my eyes were opened and so was my heart and that is where it all began.

ME: How was the Streams of Hope vision birthed?

Kevin: Streams of Hope came about several years ago as I was thinking of ways to connect people in Canada (especially the Quinte) with needs in the third world. As I began to pursue international development and social justice I repeatedly encountered people who were skeptical about giving because of concerns over the percentage of each dollar raised by many organizations, which is used for administration and because they lacked confidence that the money they would give would end up in the hands of those who needed it and not lost in administration or absorbed by foreign governments. They seemed to want some reassurance that the money would end up reaching the project or people it was designated for.

The idea that we could start an organization which would make a 100% commitment was born. That is one of our core values, a commitment that 100% of the donors gift goes directly to paying for materials used in the construction of clinics, homes, aqueducts, farms, schools etc. and none is used for administration.

ME: What do you imagine SOH will look like in 5 years?

Kevin: For the most part I have been taking this one day at a time, however, in the future I would like to see SOH integrated into Quinte's DNA. By that I mean, SOH would become a household name and be seen as a principle part of a global network, connecting people, businesses and schools in Qunite with opportunities designed to make a difference is some of the most desperately needy places in the world.

ME: Any trip memories you want to share?

Kevin: How much space do we have? I have had some grand adventures in my travels. I have eaten very strange things, slept in to unusual places and met thousand of amazing people and when all is said and done it is seeing the changes in the lives of people that is most memorable. Returning this past March to the little community of "New Carmen" at the base of the Davao City Dump in the Philippines and seeing the impact giving by people in this region, has made on these people was really powerful.

Two years ago a team from Belleville went and constructed a school and 20 homes for people who were living in and scouring the dump for food. Today over 300 of these people are living in sturdy dry homes and the have their own government recognized school and their own mailing address; right next to the dump where they used to live. Then in 2007, SOH was able to connect Bayside Elementary School with "New Carmen" and Bayside raised $1500 which paid for an aqueduct and stainless water tanks to be installed in the community. Now they have fresh water coming right to their village from 1/4 of a mile away! That is a good memory.

ME: What would be a dream project for you? AND/OR What unusual country would you like visit someday?

Kevin: A dream project for me would be to be involved in re-building the villages of the "Karen" in Eastern Burma (Myanmar). These beautiful people have been targeted for genocide by the Burmese Military Junta. It is one of the worst human rights abuses on the planet today and it needs to come to an end. I don't know what I could do to end it but I do know that with the right people we could make a huge impact helping to rebuild what has been lost for the Karen people.

This will sound really crazy but I would like to visit the Darfur region of the Sudan. I'm not sure at this point what I would be able to do there but as one of the regions of the world, which has suffered the most in recent years, I would love to discover ways in which people and communities in Canada could create change in this war torn, famine and diseased ravaged land.

ME: Any upcoming projects you want to tell us about?

Kevin: A team from Belleville comprised of individuals from a variety of churches and interest groups are making a trip to Uganda in February 09, to build a recreational center in the community of Fort Portal. The orphanage where the project is being completed is home to more than 300 children, who have lost their parents due to AIDS, violence and other diseases.

The team will build the center but will also operate medical clinics and work with the students. We are taking over soccer balls, team uniforms and other things which will add to life at the orphanage.

SOH is raising the $30,000 for the building materials needed to build the center.

ME: Anything else you want to share...

Kevin: Yes, just that it takes a lot of passion to make a difference in the world today and I am thankful for the many individuals that I have been privileged to work with who share a passion, to take hope to the nations. There are people who have made multiple trips with me to various places in the world, who have laboured tirelessly, without complaint and paid their own way to go, so that they can make a difference in their world. They are modern day heroes and you know, they are just everyday, ordinary people, doing extraordinary work, quietly under the radar, they may even be your neighbour.

Behind the Scenes: Colin Cook, Photographer/Travel Junkie

2008-11-29T07:28:00.001-08:00

SOH proudly presents its first in a series of interviews that introduce our volunteers and all the people who are making our vision possible.

Colin is first and foremost a friend, and a man with lots to say. Getting him talking isn't a problem. Except when you sit down to ask him questions for an interview (yes Colin, I went there). So Q&A isn't his forte, maybe it's not mine either. Here's our un-interview, interview.

ME: How did you discover your talent for photography?

Colin: I started taking pictures in Grade 7, but it was really expensive so it didn't go any further than that. I've always been into art--painting, sketching--but I would get in trouble in art class because I wouldn't hold the brushes right. Who cares if I don't hold the brush right? Isn't it about the finished product anyway?

ME: Conforming is indeed overrated. So, how did it happen that you picked up a camera again?

Colin: I didn't mean to. This whole thing was an accident--meeting Kevin, and working with him--I just showed up one day, and signed up for a trip to the Philippines to build some houses and a school. That was it. I brought a camera, and actually used it. By the end of the first trip I'd taken over 5,000 pictures. I've cut back since then. I usually take about 1,500 now.

ME: Yes, I know, I've been the one wading through them for the past month. They're amazing though.

Colin: Ya, they turned out well. After the first day of my first trip to the Philippines, I uploaded the pictures to the computer. People were looking, and really liked what I'd done. Then it became official; everyone left their cameras behind, and I became the photographer.

ME: Why do you work with Streams of Hope?

Colin: In real life I'm a cop, and we don't get a lot of positive feedback. There aren't many people who call us back to tell us what a great job we did, or that their lives got better because we helped them. There are very few victories--we move from crisis to crisis. Working overseas is totally different.

People are genuinely thankful that we're there, and we see immediate results. In the long-term we see communities and people grow and change. It really doesn't take much time. Two years after my first trip to the Philippines, the village we worked in had totally changed. Before, people were living in a garbage dump--just this huge, festering, burning mountain of garbage. We went back and the dump had been completely covered, and the people were farming.

ME: I'm going to post the before and after pictures really soon. I love them. They're so dramatic.

Colin: I've got lots. I'll go through them now...

This was the end of the interview portion of our meeting. Colin got distracted with pictures. Big surprise!

Note: All of the pictures included in this blog are compliments of Colin Cook. If you're interested in ordering prints of these pictures, please see see the "Contact Us" section of the blog.

Why Be Generous?

2008-11-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

One of my new favourite things is to find amazing, talented, thinkers who create online forums (TED.org is amazing) for creativity and innovation. This is extremely important in the world of non-profit organizations.

I'm going to rant a bit right now. The following opinions are this bloggers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

Actually, that's not true. In the new non-profit, the people need to be the drivers of change. Their opinions are important. Factory is out. Leadership is the new management. An organization is only as good as its change agents. Quite contradictory to all the "change is scary" theories I learned in school.

Change isn't scary. People are scared of it, yes. But change is necessary, and it's happening quickly. You snooze, you lose. Quite literally.

This is why innovation and keeping current on new technologies, online cultures, and the world generally is important. Launching Streams of Hope as a relevant, interactive, personal, leading organization is the goal.

I've found a few amazing websites that I'll continue to post under the Check It Out sidebar on your screen, but I wanted to share one with you right now.

Seth Godin is possibly one of the greatest thinkers/leaders/innovators of our time. He IS right now. He gets it. I subscribe to his blog, and his post for today was of particular relevance and interest to me as I continue to push Streams of Hope into the community (and world?). Read "Thanksgiving." This sums it up. Then let me know what you think. Let's get talking. Let's be THOSE people.

Creative Capitalism

2008-11-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

I read this article by Bill Gates with interest. With headlines foretelling economic decline of Great Depression proportions, most people are thinking about how to protect themselves. Gates addresses this fact, and builds the case for giving anyway. In fact, he surmises, our world is actually improving.

What?! Cutbacks, layoffs, and we're supposed to believe we're moving forward? The answer is an emphatic YES, YES, YES! Corporations, individuals and thinkers around the world are demonstrating a dynamic shift in perspective. Despite the bad press, the world is improving, and YOU can be part of it.

How? By thinking about how amazing it would be to partner with an agency like Streams of Hope. This is about using OUR community, OUR resources, OUR wealth, and making an impact on the world.

Do you know it takes only $3,000 to pay for the salaries of three teachers in the Philippines for one year? Despite economic decline, many of us will make 10 times that this year! Many of you will make 20 times that!

We often think small. It's not a blame game, it's a fact. Life is busy. We have jobs. We have kids. We have responsibilities. BUT take this one moment to reflect on the fact that donating money to Streams of Hope will pay someone's salary; will provide fresh water to a community; will give children access to education.

Our challenge to you: RISE UP BELLEVILLE! Let's make a difference in our world together. Let's be the most philanthropic community in Canada!

Luncheon at the River Inn

2008-11-16T11:07:00.000-08:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Streams of Hope launches community partnership initiative with a luncheon at the River Inn

November 17, 2008 – Belleville, ON – On December 4, 2008 Streams of Hope will officially introduce itself to the Quinte region’s business community with a luncheon and presentation hosted by its founder, Kevin Dowling, at the River Inn in Corbyville.

“Streams of Hope is like no other organization in our community. Our purpose is to connect local residents and business owners with effective, efficient non-profits in developing nations to make a difference on a global scale,” Dowling explains.

“The reality is we’re becoming a global village, and people want to reach out to their neighbours around the world. Streams of Hope gives donors the chance to do that.”

By partnering with non-profit organizations around the world, Streams of Hope pairs individuals, businesses, and school groups with community development projects that will be accountable for the money they spend.

“With many non-profits, results are never tangible. People don’t know where their money is going, or it’s going to overhead costs and not to the individuals who need it,” says Kevin.

Streams of Hope will provide its international partners with 100% of its donations. “We run strictly on volunteers, and sponsorships for events like this luncheon,” explains Dowling.

The event Streams of Hope is hosting on December 4, is really a coming out of sorts for the group, who have been running under the radar for two years now. As Dowling says, “We wanted to make sure the idea would work before presenting it to the community. We take accountability seriously.”

Dowling believes pilot projects in the Philippines, and a fundraising project with Bayside Public School has proven this. “We know people will get involved once they see our past successes. And we’ve already had donations come in for our next project, which will be the building of a recreational facility for an orphanage in Fort Portal, Uganda.”

Streams of Hope will be sending a team to Uganda in February, 2009. “We need to raise $30,000 to get this project off the ground,” explains Dowling. “The goal is to accomplish that today.”

-30-

Bryna Jones
Public Relations
Streams of Hope
bryna_jones@hotmail.com

Project: Fort Portal, Uganda

2008-11-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

Africa is the poorest continent on earth. Ravaged by war, famine and disease, the 670 million people of Sub Sahara Africa, live on a per/capita annual income of $450.00 (USD). They are the poorest people on earth. The Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 claimed 150,000 lives in Indonesia and the world responded with generosity and compassion. In Africa 150,000 people die ever month from war, preventable disease and starvation and the world barely notices.

The country of Uganda has suffered tremendously over the last 3 decades. For more than 8 years from 1971 to 1979 Uganda groaned under the violent dictatorship of Idi Amin. His eight-year rule produced economic decline, social disintegration, and massive human rights violations. Some authorities estimate as many as 300,000 Ugandans were murdered during Amin’s reign of terror.

Since 1979 Uganda has suffered under one dictatorship after another until 1986 when the National Resistance Army lead by Yoweri Museveni prevailed and established Uganda’s first government in 15 years.

Since assuming power, the government dominated by the political grouping created by Museveni and his followers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM or the "Movement"), has largely put an end to the human rights abuses of earlier governments, initiated substantial political liberalization and general press freedom, and instituted broad economic reforms after consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and donor governments.

Today Uganda is a country in recovery, a country which struggles daily under the strain of abject poverty, AIDS and threat of terrorism. But it is a land that is healing to which hope is returning once again.

In February, 2009 a team from the Quinte region, will travel to Fort Portal in Western Uganda to construct a sports complex at an orphanage and school. They have all raised their own funds in order to make this trip to build with the materials supplied by Streams of Hope. $30,000 (USD) will pay for the materials to complete the project. At a fraction of the cost required to build a gymnasium in Canada, these young lives will enjoy a facility where they can play and assemble together in safety.

More for information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda

Fundraising Dinner!

2008-10-27T11:53:00.001-07:00

Please keep your calendars open for Friday, November 28. That evening we'll be hosting a fundraising dinner and free concert at Desert Stream.

The event will begin at 6pm, and we'll be having a huge chicken and rib barbeque! It might be the last bbq of the season, so be sure to come and enjoy. Following dinner, the "Solitary Man" will be performing a Neil Diamond tribute that's FREE to all who participate in the dinner.

Tickets are $10/person or $15 for a couple. You can buy tickets at the Stream, or email us for more information.

Burma (Myanmar)

2008-10-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

We have all heard about the devastation in Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, in May 2008. Merely four weeks before this storm, two members of our team were able to travel into Burma to see firsthand the beautiful faces of a people ravaged by decades of civil war. In amongst the refugee camps, and rebel armies our photographer was able to capture a piece of history that has now been totally erased.

Who We Are

2008-10-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your interest in Streams of Hope (SOH). It is our desire to partner with you in supporting agencies globally, which are experienced, efficient, and effective at meeting the needs of at risk people around the world. We know our world is shrinking, and what happens in the Third World affects us directly. This idea isn't new, but the ways in which we deal with it need to be. We need creativity, innovation, a commitment to excellence, and accountability to see sustainable community development. SOH will help you to partner with agencies and individuals who are committed to these goals.

We want to be as involved as we can with the organizations we partner with. We have, and will continue to, send representative teams to build, serve, and otherwise connect with workers and agencies in the field. Our staff and team are all volunteers. None of your donations go to cover salaries or other overhead costs. Most non-profits use approximately 10%-20% of your donations to offset administration. We want all resources going straight to the people who need it most.

We are committed to accountability. That translates into comprehensive communication with the donor concerning the status of the project they are contributing to. Soon you will be able to follow all of our projects via our blog, and website (in progress).

Currently SOH is connected with organizations in Haiti, Uganda, Burma (Myanmar), the Philippines, Thailand, China, Vietnam,and Malawi. How can you be involved? Simple...Give. Whether you are a corporate donor, small business owner, education provider (more to come on our school projects), or individual, your gift to SOH will result in major benefits to children and adults in developing nations. And it is all tax deductible.

Thank you for taking the time to follow our blog. We're very excited for you to witness your generosity in action!

Streams of Hope Blog Launch

2008-10-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for taking the time to check out the Streams of Hope blog! We're very excited to be able to connect with you, share our passion, and get your feedback.

I apologize for the lack of content in the first post, but there is much more to come. Keep an eye out for pictures, testimonials, and the stories of our team's work in Haiti, the Philippines, and Uganda. We hope that it will inspire you to partner with us to change our world!