Millennium Development Goals

Submitted by bri7232 on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 01:05

the problem:

Right now, more than 300,000 Kenyan youth live and work on the streets. Street youth face a life of disease, poverty, exploitation, and violence. Some street youth survive by collecting scrap metal for recycling as well as washing cars, while the more vulnerable turn to theft and prostitution. In Kenya, where education is neither free nor mandatory, many street youth have not completed Primary School let alone Secondary School. Millions of dollars are invested into humanitarian programs that offer food, clothing, and shelter, but they often fail to keep youth off the streets forever. In a country with an unemployment rate of 64% among youth between the ages of 18 and 35, street youth simply cannot compete in the job market.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

In 2008, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to volunteer with an HIV clinic in Mathare, the second largest slum in Kenya. The experience changed my life. Upon my return to the U.S. I changed my major from Biology to International Studies with the determination to go back to Kenya after I graduated.

I graduated in December 2010 and moved to Kenya in March 2011 determined to make a change in the world. Just a few short days after landing in Nairobi I met a former street boy, Wiclif Otieno. Wiclif's story, success, and passion for changing the lives of other street youth through KITO International was very inspiring. We became instant friends.

Wiclif taught me a lot about street life, poverty, and the importance of quality aid. I quickly fell in love with the KITO community and it didn't take long before Wiclif and I joined forces to continue KITO's growth.

the plan of action:

KITO believes that "moving off the streets" means "getting out of poverty." If street youth are given an economic opportunity that enables them to work their way out of poverty and become self-sufficient, they will stay off the streets forever.

Potential KITO youth are referred by partner organizations, recruited by team members, or apply on their own. KITO selects street youth through a participatory interview process. Successful applicants enter a vigorous 2 month training program which covers entrepreneurship, life skills, employability skills, and financial literacy. Upon graduation of KITO's Training Program, KITO youth are offered temporary employment with KITO's social enterprise, EcoSafi, where they learn to make bags from recycled material as well as practice the skills they have learned in a hands-on setting. KITO staff work tirelessly to customize each youth's exit strategy. KITO youth have the option to start their own business, go back to school, or find full-time employment.

how you can get involved:

Spreading the word about KITO International is very important to us. You can help us in these efforts by liking us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kitointernational) or following us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/kitointl). KITO International is always looking for volunteers, interns, and donations to help us achieve our mission. To learn more about us please visit www.kitointernational.org.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by AishaJ on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 19:14

the problem:

The JYSEP is a program inspired by the Baha'i Faith aimed at kids aged 12-14 of all religions, backgrounds, and races.
While global trends project an image of this age group as problematic, lost in the throes of tumultuous physical and emotional change, unresponsive and self-consumed, the Baha’i community – in the language it employs and the approches it adopts – is moving decidedly in the opposite direction, seeing in junior youth instead altruism, an acute sense of justice, eagerness to learn about the universe and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world.

vital stats:

people impacted:

1,000,000

people involved:

why it's important:

The future generation will inherent a fast changing society and become the stewards of the world. The paradigm of the program teaches the kids how to think instead of what to think. It prepares them with eternal virtues and principles that will help them navigate a future we can't predict.

the plan of action:

The JYSEP is groups of about 10 kids neighborhood to neighborhood studying applicable and thought-provoking material, planning and carrying out their own service projects, and socializing.
I am currently animating a junior youth group and actively collaborating to coordinate all of the junior youth groups in the Salt Lake Valley. This includes training animators (teachers) of new groups, maintaining quality in exsisting groups and helping new groups form in the valley.

how you can get involved:

Anyone can be involved in the program by going through training and establishing their own junior youth group in their neighborhood.

project updates:

Submitted by forksforchange on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 15:24

the problem:

The problem is that we believe there are not enough students within their communities taking the time to truly volunteer. Our generation has come to think of volunteering as something that is boring, only for those who are already good people, only for job applications, and that there isn't anything to personally gain. However, this is not what volunteering is about. We believe that volunteering is anything that you do in your daily life to improve the lives of others without expecting anything in return. This can be anywhere from opening the door for someone to helping a classmate. Lastly, the problem is that not only is there a lack of true volunteering, but a lack of awareness on global issues too, such as child education, maternal health, women empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

OUR VISION:

Imagine a stadium. Imagine every seat filled as roving spotlights reveal young faces charged with anticipation. Imagine the air electrified by the feeling of 10,000 hearts beating and 10,000 minds listening, all as one. Now imagine the collective thunder of all those hearts and minds clapping and screaming for one purpose, one common challenge. Finally, imagine that what has brought 10,000 young people together is not the latest top 40 artist or a sports game, but the prospect of bettering their community through volunteerism. This is our vision.

We envision the young people of our generation rallying together to make a local change in a wider global effort, the endeavor to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015. We can visualize this because for the first time we believe our generation has both the will power and the resources to make change through social action a reality.

vital stats:

people impacted:

10,000

people involved:

223

why it's important:

As members of a student organization, Forks for Change, we have spent a semester in service to our surrounding community. From this experience there is a single, empowering lesson we will take with us: it takes one. It takes one individual’s will-power to contribute a change, a voice, an action and a stand towards a better world. It also takes one to inspire others—so that the one becomes many, and the single step towards a better world becomes a whole journey. Here at Arizona State University and around the world our generation is full of an energy and passion that is just waiting to be ignited by the right organizing force. We feel that at ASU we are lucky to have numerous resources to explore and as we inspire our fellow students to do the same, we have the potential to do things that have yet to be accomplished.

the plan of action:

The event will involve 10,000 young people collected in a stadium to hear from prominent public figures, motivational speakers, and artists involved in social activism around the world. Beyond this event will be a following National Week of Service in which attendees will create a surge of volunteerism throughout their communities in Arizona, all with the global perspective of the UN MDGs.
The goal is to get 10,000 members of Arizona to volunteer during the National Volunteer week in April and show that “ It Takes One” voice, action, change and stand to significantly contribute to a better world—all within a single week. This initiative will also be used as an educational tool to raise awareness and connect community members to the most pressing global issues.

how you can get involved:

Any member of the state of Arizona can help by joining the movement and volunteering in their community, help us find funding or find speakers and artistis for the first kick-off event.

project updates:

Submitted by Together We Rise on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:58

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Together We Rise is trying to solve the problems associated with the broken foster care system and the lack of awareness about this issue.

Together We Rise is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of foster children in America by funding programs that give a sense of normalcy, comfort, and self-esteem to combat the disproportionate opportunities available to foster youth.

vital stats:

people impacted:

3,000

people involved:

100

why it's important:

The devoted and enthusiastic staff of Together We Rise (TWR) work tirelessly to solve the many challenges that foster children face. The life of a foster child is often bleak and the statistics clearly display this. For example, nearly 23,000 foster children will die of neglect or abuse by their 5th birthday and almost half of those children will become homeless within 18 months of leaving the foster care system by 2020.

TWR makes decreasing these bleak figures the cornerstone of our organization. However, the issues that TWR solve go well beyond what the numbers show; we also work to bring a level of normalcy to foster children's lives.Their lives are often very unstable and changing this is one of major goals.

the plan of action:

Children are the future and we believe they deserve to live the best life possible. They have been put into a situation that they have no control over. We want to show them that there are people in the world who care about them and want to see them grow into successful adults. If we have the ability to touch even one child's life and know we made an impact in a positive way, then we have done our job. We have developed programs that allow them to be successful in society, school, sports, creativity, and life. Our sports camps also help to raise awareness about childhood obesity and teach them ways to stay healthy throughout their lifetime.

how you can get involved:

Together We Rise (TWR) values its relationship with the foster community, its sponsors, and its volunteers. Innovation, creativity, and a strong work ethic are instilled to improve the lives of foster children through integrity, commitment, and dependability. TWR utilizes young adult volunteers through social and digital media to host sports camps and implement educational programs with various subjects. A variety of programs are created to reach the diverse and varying interests of foster children, offering them an assortment of activities to provide a well-rounded experience. We welcome all interns or volunteers from around the nation and encourage applicants to apply through our Facebook page.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by SMCYC on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 19:11

the problem:

Youth Voice in the Community. While youth in San Mateo County are passionate about a wide spectrum of issues, and many are actively attempting to make a difference, there is very little acknowledgement of these efforts.

vital stats:

people impacted:

500

people involved:

why it's important:

Having worked with a wide array of youth struggling with a variety of issues, from eating disorders, to criminal records, to running away from home, I have seen first hand how important it is to youth to have their voice heard. I am passionate about Youth Empowerment, and strongly believe that when a platform is given to youth to excel and succeed, they will far exceed expectations.

the plan of action:

Host the 2012 San Mateo County Youth Conference, a Conference entirely run by-youth and for-youth. It is featuring workshops throughout the day which are all run by youth under the age of 25. From panel discussions of Teen Parents, to youth workshops by teens with incarcerated parents, to jiu jitsu seminars, to film showings of "Project Happiness" and "Miss Representation" - the Conference will be chock full of options for youth to attend. The event will also have a "Policy Panel" featuring local and state elected officials who will be answering youth questions, a keynote speaker talking about Rap and Hip-Hop Activism, community partner tables, and raffle prizes. The event will be held March 17th, 2012 from 930AM-5PM at the College of San Mateo. More information can be found on our website at: https://sites.google.com/site/smcyouthconference/ or on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/smcyouthconference

how you can get involved:

We need volunteers on the day of the Conference to help run the day! We also need youth attendees, and youth to get the word out about this incredible event!

project updates:

Submitted by mahmoodj on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 18:49

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Around the world, children are fighting to play the game they love. They play in trash dumps and busy streets, dodge cars and wade through swamps to get to their next game. They ignore the indignity of their circumstances but are often hurt – and sometimes killed – by the danger they play in.

Less visibly, children lose the positive impact sport has in their lives as they lose access to the game. Sport has the power to change lives – it helps children develop socially, physically, and mentally. Soccer facilitates growth in both individuals and their communities.

vital stats:

people impacted:

6,000

people involved:

why it's important:

I grew up playing soccer and all types of sports. Involvement in sports had a profoundly positive influence in my life - it displaced a lot of the negative things I was susceptible to in my childhood. I learned a ton about working in a team, how to stay healthy, discipline, and work ethic.

I want children around the world to have access to the same opportunities through sport - they made a huge difference in my life.

the plan of action:

love.fútbol is the only organization, world-wide, that builds safe soccer fields for children through a community-driven approach. love.fútbol staff identify communities where children play in especially dangerous circumstances and don't have access to safe environments for soccer. We engage the communities with the greatest beneficiaries to take on their own soccer field projects, by creating internal institutions (a love.fútbol project planning committee) to plan and execute the project. love.fútbol raises the money to provide the raw materials and technical expertise necessary to complete the project. The community donates 100% of the labor and also the land required for the project.

As a result, children have a safe place to play sports and the community emerges with capacities, institutions, and skills that can help catalyze further development endeavors. love.fútbol has successfully completed nine projects in Guatemala and recently expanded to Brazil. love.fútbol plans to complete 20+ projects in time for the 2014 World Cup.

love.fútbol was founded in 2005 by Drew Chafetz and his soccer teammate, Alfredo Axtmayer. Drew came across some children playing in especially dangerous conditions in a small town in Morocco, which he visited during a semester abroad. Drew raised money from his friends and family, spread awareness, and implemented the first love.fútbol project in 2007.

how you can get involved:

love.fútbol has created a program called love.fútbol for All which encourages soccer-passionate individuals and soccer teams to hold events in support of safe soccer spaces for kids. Recently, a small Bethesda, Maryland girls team (Real Bethesda) raised $5,000 through events and fundraising, sponsoring all of the raw materials for a love.fútbol project

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by josh_sg1 on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 14:36

the problem:

I would like to make a universal paradise for everyone on the Planet through Investing and Inventing Technology and Extreme Science Advancements in Nano Technology that can do anything you can imagine, solve all your problems in any, create practically invincible anything, etc...

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

I want to do it as I want to do something, anything to get the technology I want.

the plan of action:

I would like to create some inventions I design. I would like to do college, I want to be there to know graphic design and make money to invest with. There are small projects I can do with small amounts of money and there are large projects with a lot of money. Example: A Nano Technologically advanced Volumetric Molecular Scanner that can scan something and make a digitally programmed 3d working copy of it can work with a nano machine with a compupter where you can do anything you want to it instantly. That includes people, objects, items, anything you can think of, completely stop the need for farms and animals farming as all the acids and minerals can be practically instantly printed off a computer with this. I like to think it would cost around $990 Billion USD to design the Scanner. With the Scanner, it can be designed quickly and distributed everywhere. I am the only person in the universe that I know of actually doing something about it.

What I would like to do to make the money is make a Electric Generator that creates its own electricity to power things like helicopters and jets. I already design it and I can talk to engineers that can make it although it would be a hard concept as anyone I explain it to that thinks they know how to do it greater would just do it themselves, take small amounts of investment and the money that would be needed for the scanner would be distributed to lots of people at large companies an they wouldn't do anything to design the scanner. I would like to think that I would need more power from the electric generator as a idea to make people want to buy it. I design a lot of inventions and I can make designs and everything I would need to show engineers how to design them. The electric generator I design is about less than $100.00 in resources, and is less than a few LB's. It is in the shape of a acorn. I call it the Acorn. It is not all about the generator's. I design a lot of inventions and a lot of ideas, companies, etc... that are all amaing and I would like to think that people are interested in what I am interested in though I would like to be around people like that in college environment's.

how you can get involved:

People can work with me on project's and make money. People can invest with the company too.

project updates:

Submitted by hungvo2013 on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 20:40

the problem:

Every year, we conduct a needs-assessment survey to see what needs have and have not been met in our community. Our motto is youth serving youth with time, talents, and treasures.

vital stats:

people impacted:

500

people involved:

why it's important:

This is important because of the flexibility. The members can decide what they would like to do.

the plan of action:

After conducting our surveys, we will design projects that will be able to tackle those needs.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by directly joining YouthInspire or by voicing their opinions.

project updates:

Submitted by sherell.powell on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 13:54

the problem:

This project is designed to create an escape route to those who are facing hard undeserved punishment with their life. It does not matter if it is pertaining to your education, unemployment, drugs, single parent, foreigner, military, or celebrity. If you are a human and you need oxygen to breathe this organization is designed to help you come to a solution for your problems.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This is important to me because I believe that there is not enough necessary action (No one is Stepping up or Stepping down) taking place to put a end to this wicked mad world. This project/organization will show place the people that really exist on it's land. Giving someone if not everyone a moment to voice, write, preview, sing, dance etcetera their story; therefore will hopefully one day make an impact on this world.

the plan of action:

My plan of action is to get this organization to network and reach out to everyone in some way. The steps that I will have to take to create and complete a dynamic piece of art, are to simply let go and let God lead my heart in every way in every area to help his people get the best for their life.

how you can get involved:

Other's can help by Stepping Up or Stepping Down.

project updates:

Submitted by pkembaiyan on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 16:13

naigobya2.jpg

the problem:

Hunger and food insecurity in Naigobya, a rural village in the Luuka District of Uganda neighboring the town of Iganga, Uganda.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

The need for adequate nutrition is fundamental to humanity and children who are malnourished are more susceptible to disease and developmental problems as women with inadequate nutrition are more likely to give birth to children with health problems that can be prevented through access to adequate nutrition.

the plan of action:

Create a model community garden worked by local volunteers who work to sensitive the larger community on effective nutrition and work to locally produce ready-to-use foods.

how you can get involved:

We need funding and nutrition and food insecurity experts, especially from anyone who has worked close to Iganga, Uganda.