Gaia: International Inspiration

Eyes wide open

http://mariahsecrest.gaia.com — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:29:17 GMT

What an odd, lazy weekend...in Taiwan! From my dormitory window, I could imagine that I'm in a small town in Ohio. Green trees blowing in the breeze, partially hiding a few concrete buildings and basketball and badmitten courts. But one need only walk a few paces outside the university gates to realize that this is an entirely foreign place. Shirtless, sunbaked men gather around the TV in the back rooms of little shops, holding ceramic cups of "mian," or noodles, close to their mouths. If I strain my eyes, I can see a farmer in a pointy, wide-brimmed straw hat heading out to work in the adjacent rice fields. I can't get a feel for this place. It seems like a very local, semi-rural village from where we are. But on my morning run the other day with one of the other students, we ran up the stairs of the seven-story library and clambered up the fire escape ladder of the interior level up to the roof. Buildings for miles and miles around. Taoyuan City's downtown is only a short bus-ride away and is buzzing at night with neon lights, big shopping malls, and roadside stands of unidentified meats on skewers.

"Mei guo?" passersby ask of us if we are with any local students, wanting to know if we are Americans. Or sometimes we catch them off guard, as on Friday while winding through a market on the northeast coast after a day at the beach. A little boy did a double-take when he saw me (I was strolling with a group of Korean international students), tugging his mom's hand and pointing at this strange creature with the pale skin and red hair. I've only seen one or two other white girls this whole week. Which was perhaps more than this little boy ever had. "But Western girls usually have big bodies," one of my roommates said matter-of-factly, "I think you are Asian!"

The campus is quiet today. Most the international students went to Taipei. My pocketbook is getting a little too skinny a little too fast, so I decided I'd better pace out my traveling a bit. I traveled all day Friday on a school-sponsored trip, and my local roommate offered to take me traveling next weekend. Yesterday was spent reading and playing guitar. After I signed up for this trip I second-guessed myself, wondering if I was scheduling myself too tightly. But I'm finding I have more unstructured time than ever. I was beginning to wonder if I should ration out my reading list, because I'm almost through my second of the four books I brought with me. But then I found out that the school library has a whole big section of English books. I actually have a chance to read for pleasure!

Last night a few of us walked down the street for a dessert of shaved ice, chocolate pudding, egg custard, little bits of sweet gelatin that reminded me of the Turkish Delight my roommate Lauren brought back from Cyprus last year, and pickled pineapple. It was quite the sensory experience. I don't think I'll order it again.

"Let me ask you a funny question, " said Alex from Russia, as I attempted to find an English channel on television by poking the buttons with a chopstick because their external levers were broken off.

"Sure," I mumbled, poking past a low-grade horror flick.

"Do you believe in God?"

I gave up my poking.

"Yeah, I do," I said as I sat back down.

Alex, who has lived in Taiwan for a year, had a crazy tragedy happen with his family this week. I'd heard that he spent entire nights drinking and chain-smoking , just trying to put it out of his mind. Now he spoke easily, accepting this new turn of events as just another challenge to his character. I spent an hour in front of an American crime show with the volume turned off, grimacing at the gory scenes and talking with a kid from Moscow who's seen too much for someone my age. Talking about religion and politics and Russia and foreign cultures and why some students drink so much.

It's been a random week, with a trip to Hollywood on my layover, a dorm bed so hard I'm accumulating a pattern of bruises on my legs, a noisy cacophony of languages at every mealtime (English, newly-learned Chinese, Korean, and other random Asian languages students have learned to try to find a common mode of communication), huge bowls of noodles, vegetables, tofu, egg, and chicken that costs about one dollar U.S., bubble tea, quiet afternoons with a book and guitar, and new friends who barely speak my language. One week down. I wonder what the next five will bring.

~Mariah

New Year Leaps

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:04:39 GMT

Hello! Sending you all a warm hug. Its a new year and with the New Year I hope you find clarity, joy and inner strength. I am beginning on a new and powerful journey to begin a program in China for those children that can't afford to go to school. I will be funding children through grants and individual donations. However, what I need most is your IDEAS. Your LOVE. Your HOPE. Please let me know of your experiences in International Education. I will let you know how the program develops. I will send photos. Together, we will put a child through school. What will we teach them? We will hear from them on what they are learning (although in very simple English). It will be a long journey and I'm at the very very most important part of the project. The seed. (zaadz, you know).......

Send your inspiration my way....

In Joy, Rebecca Balloon

Re: Sending support to Cambodia

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:18:15 GMT

I encourage you to write to Laura Smith-Louisel who may have some resources or volunteer recruitment in Cambodia tips to share:

laura@global-children.org

http://www.global-children.org

tell her mary rives sent you (r-e-e-v-e-s)

:)

Re: Sending support to Cambodia

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 19:28:57 GMT

	What is needed We need to get Regular volunteers from within and outside Moung Russey that can come in Moung Russey to help the centre start on the right path. These volunteers can come from already established Volunteer organisations. Individual Volunteers can be in the following categories: -Those who have Retired from active work -Students in their vacations or this volunteer experiance could be part of their studies in a related work -This could also apply to those who are working but they are willing to get some time off to participate in this project. -And any willing individual who able to participate in the centre.
	Why Volunteers will bring a new dimension and they will help to sell this project to their localities Volunteers can help carry out training, advice or any other form of support as the centre is being implemented. We cannot afford to wait until the centre is in place. The community can be helped in the due course
	Back to online discussion
	What has already been done Dr Larry Hubbell has already visited the community. And he offered training to the community
	Back to online discussion
	What still needs to be done We need more volunteers to support our project
	Back to online discussion
	What can you do to help You can get us information or in touch with volunteers who are ready to particpate in our project. Or you can get us with volunteer organisations that can partner with CYDC and send their volunteers periodically every year to support the project
	Back to online discussion

Re: Cry Africa

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 19:23:00 GMT

Yes, Thanks Paul. I will be thinking of what I can do. The following day I will be at a huge march in DC committed to stopping the genocide in Darfur.. it seems that every second counts. Thanks for speaking out. Rebecca.

Re: Cry Africa

http://moltencuriosity.gaia.com — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 22:08:01 GMT

Paul - I love what you are doing. No child should ever have to suffer the way these kids are. There is not a place dark enough to send people who copuld use children for a war's cannon fodder or treat then like sexual trash.

Thank you so much for posting this.

Cry Africa

http://peacefulzest.gaia.com — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 14:54:34 GMT

We are all painfully aware of the tremendous suffering and persecution our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa; the horrendous war in Rwanda, the ethnic cleansing in Sudan, street children in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and many others, war-torn Sierra Leone, political oppression in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Equitorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Somolia, and others, and a continent rocked with poverty. Too many injustices to list. It's overwhelming cause it's often hard to know where to start.

There is a hope-filled and tremendous opportunity occuring Saturday, April 29, called 'End a War; Global Night Commute. This event wants to raise awareness and end the injustice of child slavery. In many countries in Africa, hundreds of thousands of children walk the streets every night so they will not be stolen in the middle of the night and sold for slavery, mostly for prostitution and military purposes. It's horrible to even think about.

This night is about solidarity. Over 32,000 people will be walking all night in solidarity with those children who have to walk the streets nightly for survival. It's small but it's a start. Check the website below and see if your city is hosting one of these events.

Also, there is a documentary titled 'Invisible Children.' It is the personal story of children who must do this nightly. We can host house parties and raise awareness for simply the cost of the movie (and they give you 2 for the price of 1 so you can give one away).

You can get more info about all these opportunities at www.invisiblechildren.com

I would love to hear others hearts for Africa, raise awareness, and get more action steps we can take.

An exciting new beginning

http://tunahaki.gaia.com — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 23:17:01 GMT

Hi guys. As you know, my international volunteer work has led me to create a charity for the wonderful kids I met. I am proud to present the fruits of my labor:

www.tunahaki.org

I hope you'll take a look and help me spread the word.

Thanks very much,
Fifer

Re: Places to volunteer

http://tunahaki.gaia.com — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 23:15:13 GMT

These places aren't all free, but I thought I'd post them anyway.

How to Get Started

Contact the Red Cross about its disaster-training program.

Find out about volunteer projects offered by other organizations:
Cross-Cultural Solutions Global Crossroad
Global Service Corps
Globe Aware
i-to-i

Re: Sending support to Cambodia

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 04:02:52 GMT

oh do contact Laura, the director, she is wonderful. tell her i sent you (mary rives r-e-e-v-e-s). She has 2 small children and is startign an organic products for kids store called Sprouts in downtown brattleboro. she has done such amazing work in cambodia. i do hope you two connect! she is an inspiration! and i think she will find you that way too...:)

glad you asked about my experience with GC as my husband and i set up a community development project through Global Children in an impoverished rural area of Jamaica. its a long story for another time as its late here and sleep calls! but will say for now that we were able to assist this community because of GC's support.

we'll 'tawlk'. and hey, b'boro is only an hour away from me so please consider visiting us in WMA and we'll put ya up!

goodnight for now!

Re: Sending support to Cambodia

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:54:03 GMT

Thanks Mary! And I am going to Vermont on the week of the 22nd.. maybe I will visit this group. What a wonderful picture on their home page. Full of inspiration. Do you have experience with this group personally, or did they just catch your eye? Thanks again, RR

Re: Sending support to Cambodia

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 21:56:44 GMT

Yes, Cambodians are in such need! They have suffered so much and struggle so hard to meet the most basic of needs.

Please also check out this great small non-profit that helps Cambodians:

www.global-children.org

Sending support to Cambodia

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 20:01:57 GMT

Sa Kimsorn
Local Representative

Hello. One of the communities has posted this request for support and I wanted to share it. I'd love to send the whole 70 something dollars, but I guess I'm making excuses that I need the money. Anyways, I will be sending 15.00 dollars, and I was wondering if you know any generous philanthropists.. if you could have them spread their love to these kind people in Cambodia.. Thanks! Rebecca.

Looking for your support
Dear Rebecca

Thank you for interest and suggestion from you about youth festival that will celebrate in Battambang province. I do can join this event but what I want is to bring three youth representative from rural community to meet other group and listen to the speech of senior of other sector and government talk as policy for youth group. Through this event it will give chance for them in exploring the group concern and learn back with experience for initiative their group strategy in future work.

The group can spend for some materials and transportation but they need food and accommodation during festival in province. We real appreciate if some one can distribute a small amount to fill up this activity, please find items need in table below.

Description Unit Detail Total
Youth respond Propose
Transportation Time 2time x 5$ x 3persons 30.00$
Food Day 4 days x 8$ 32.00$
Accommodation Day 4 days x 10$ 40.00$
Material copy Set 3set x 1$ x 2 days 6.00 $
Travel around Time 6time x 0.5 $ 3.00 $
Total 39.00$ 72.00$

I would like to confirm that the destination from youth community to Battambang province is 75 Kilometers, they have to travel by motor taxi to district and continue by taxi to province. If some wish to contribute or support please contact me on this site or my e-mail: 012530548@mobitel.com.kh, kimsorn_sa@yahoo.com. or direct telephone (855) 12530548

The detail report expend will send direct to supporter with photo and possible in hard support document by mail if required

Thank you for your attention and assistance my community

The best wish

Sa Kimsorn
Moung Russey LR

Re: China and India

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 13:20:02 GMT

Did you see the film "Himalaya" or "Himalayas".. incredible documentary.. and I saw it on the big screen. I can only speak to what the Tibet on the China side is like, and even in this we never know how someone else will experience a place, or how important it is for someone else's soul to do something or not do something.. but the idea is great.. and could build into something big. I remember a Tibetan family sitting us watching us cook on our little stove and they were enthralled. They wouldn't take our food, and of course didn't need our food, but it was just a really nice moment where they were just curious, as we were of the huge machetes they were carrying around and all the hard work they were doing.. it would seem from describing this that it was unbalanced somehow, since we weren't working hard.. and it is, but it never feels like that.. it felt like a really beautiful experience of real sharing from completely opposite ends of the world. .. hard to explain.. but if you do go to Tibet, I know you will have times you are speechless too, and this is what is so priceless.

Feel free to shake your ideas around in our pod anytime!

Rebeccaboo

Re: China and India

http://manonfyre.gaia.com — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:17:09 GMT

love the bottle cap quote for the day!

like plenty of people, i feel an interest and fondness for tibet. the last time i saw a documentary about the place, i really, really felt, for the first time, compelled to go there. and the "light bulb" that went on over my head was that i should take some small-scale, micro-hydroelectric generators -- enough to power a few lights or what have you -- to some of the remote communities.

having this idea pop into your head while watching tv is one thing. and it was kind of mysterious, too, because i don't know a damn thing about micro-hydroelectric generators!

making it happen. . . should i? could i?

well, perhaps you can teach me a few things, rebeccaboo.

Re: China and India

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:31:32 GMT

Hello! I will definately keep you posted, in fact I will be counting on my fellow zaadzsters for support and love ~ and you can count on me for stories of scary food, nail biting bus rides, joyous people and ???.

I meant to ask you also, do you participate in International discussion groups or do work locally regarding African issues? It is sometimes hard to tap into locally, but I am hoping when I return to America this time I can stay tapped into my ideals. I'm thinking way too far in advance now.

Rebeccaboo
Bottle Cap Quote for the day ~ "The Bad news is there is no key to the universe. The good news is it was never locked."

Re: China and India

http://tunahaki.gaia.com — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 05:23:34 GMT

Wow - I'm so excited for you! I hope you find time to volunteer in India - I hear that it is amazing and there is so much need. Will you be sending an email journal from your trip? If so, I'd love to be on the list.

Re: China and India

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:11:14 GMT

Thanks Mary, Your right my lungs prefer the mountains! I am glad I will have support on my travels. Thanks again.

Re: China and India

http://maryrives.gaia.com — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:42:44 GMT

wow! you are so courageous! i wish i had some connections for you there but knwo so littel about china. i do know teaching english is still hot, and just a little time in big cities is important for your lungs. you will make your way, and i will look forward to hearign about your discoveries AND challenges. remember us here at zaadz as a source of support for you, as place to 'touch home' when you are feeling a little road weary adn homesick, hear? meanwhile, might i suggest posting your questions at soem of the other pods? iam sure lots of z folk woudl have some connections/tips for you!

China and India

http://dharmatongue.gaia.com — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 18:37:56 GMT

Hello... I will be leaving for China on May 1st and will be travelling from there to India. If anyone can give me any tips or places that would be good to support volunteer-wise, or friends in these countries... please let me know. I will also let you know once I get there what projects are out there changing the world, and can answer your questions about the areas as well. All I know is that I probably will be starting off in Beijing and travelling to Wuhan from there. The rest is completely unknown.