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Is this a...: 
ongoing project
How many people are directly involved in your project? : 
5
How many people has your project helped?  : 
75
Location(s)

Somersworth, NH, 03878
See map: Google Maps
What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
I am trying to supply the impoverished communities in Jamaica with bicycles. There is so much poverty in Jamaica that people typically pay fares to use public bicycles or walk to get to their destinations. In America we take a lot for granted, when it comes to transportation. I want to "pay it forward" and make transportation one less stress that Jamaican people will have to live with.
Why is it important to you?: 
I want other kids in Jamaica to be able to use bicycles, the same way that I did when I was growing up in Somersworth, NH. Every child deserves a childhood with a bicycle, and every person deserves a method of transportation other than their own two feet. I went on vacation in Jamaica five years ago, and I remember seeing how impoverished it was. I don't want to be just another American tourist; I don't want to be a silent witness to the economic injustices in the world, I want to do anything I can to help, however big or small.
What's your plan of action?: 
I have already contacted two teachers at my school who are assisting me with this project and I have gotten a third ally, a local police officer, who is willing to help donate bikes and store them for the project. He also is helping to make sure that the shipping destination and recipient is legitimate. I recently spoke to my school's assistant principal who was a state representative - he has connections and is going to work with me so that we can contact the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica so that we will not have to pay for the shipping of a large number of bicycles overseas. Since this is an ongoing project, I am still collecting bicycles and getting shipping quotes from various companies. So far, I have about twenty bicycles. My goal is fifty to seventy-five bikes, depending on the feedback that I receive from the U.S. Embassy.

The second part of this project is to help one woman in particular. I got the idea for this project by using an online language practice website. I saw a woman named Candice from Jamaica on the list of online members, so I decided to click on her name and start small conversation. I asked her how the conditions are in Jamaica, because I remember how impoverished it was when I went five years ago. She said that there are so many people without jobs, including herself. She stated that she has to go to Japan within the next few weeks to teach English to junior-high school students. This woman is the person whom I first proposed my bicycle project to. I would like to say that we are friendly acquaintances, if not distant friends. So, I would like to create a care package for her to use while she's in Japan. This past summer, I went to a five-week advanced study program where you specialize in one subject. In my dorm, I had people from my class, "Changing the World," as well as others from "Japanese Language and Culture." I am planning on using my former dormmates as a resource to make this care package possible; I am going to use some materials from my friends who were in the Japanese class for the care package so that she can practice the language before and while she is in Japan. I am going to ask my friends who were in the Writing Workshop class to get copies of their short stories and grammar notes so that the woman can use them as teaching tools. I will also turn to the English teachers at my high school for additional materials, such as note paper, writing utensils, and old books. I plan to use my classmates from Changing the World, who know all about the importance social justice, charity, and philanthropy, to help make the bicycle project a success. After I collect some materials, I am going to work with the National Honor Society at my school and make this care package. This could extend into a third branch of the Jamaica project, where NHS creates additional care packages for each of the students in Candice's class in Japan. 

My plan may seem convoluted and confusing on paper, but I think I have enough resources and support to make it work!
How Can Others Help?: 
Stay optimistic. Believe that small groups can yield big change. As more people begin to believe this, more of these projects become successful!
Total hours volunteered (to date): 
50
Start Date: 
02/03/2009
Money Raised: 
N/A
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The second part of this project is to help one woman in particular. I got the idea for this project by using an online language practice website. I saw a woman named Candice from Jamaica on the list of online members, so I decided to click on her name and start small conversation. I asked her how the conditions are in Jamaica, because I remember how impoverished it was when I went five years ago. She said that there are so many people without jobs, including herself. She stated that she has to go to Japan within the next few weeks to teach English to junior-high school students. This woman is the person whom I first proposed my bicycle project to. I would like to say that we are friendly acquaintances, if not distant friends. So, I would like to create a care package for her to use while she's in Japan. This past summer, I went to a five-week advanced study program where you specialize in one subject. In my dorm, I had people from my class, "Changing the World," as well as others from "Japanese Language and Culture." I am planning on using my former dormmates as a resource to make this care package possible; I am going to use some materials from my friends who were in the Japanese class for the care package so that she can practice the language before and while she is in Japan. I am going to ask my friends who were in the Writing Workshop class to get copies of their short stories and grammar notes so that the woman can use them as teaching tools. I will also turn to the English teachers at my high school for additional materials, such as note paper, writing utensils, and old books. I plan to use my classmates from Changing the World, who know all about the importance social justice, charity, and philanthropy, to help make the bicycle project a success. After I collect some materials, I am going to work with the National Honor Society at my school and make this care package. This could extend into a third branch of the Jamaica project, where NHS creates additional care packages for each of the students in Candice's class in Japan. 

My plan may seem convoluted and confusing on paper, but I think I have enough resources and support to make it work!
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The second part of this project is to help one woman in particular. I got the idea for this project by using an online language practice website. I saw a woman named Candice from Jamaica on the list of online members, so I decided to click on her name and start small conversation. I asked her how the conditions are in Jamaica, because I remember how impoverished it was when I went five years ago. She said that there are so many people without jobs, including herself. She stated that she has to go to Japan within the next few weeks to teach English to junior-high school students. This woman is the person whom I first proposed my bicycle project to. I would like to say that we are friendly acquaintances, if not distant friends. So, I would like to create a care package for her to use while she's in Japan. This past summer, I went to a five-week advanced study program where you specialize in one subject. In my dorm, I had people from my class, "Changing the World," as well as others from "Japanese Language and Culture." I am planning on using my former dormmates as a resource to make this care package possible; I am going to use some materials from my friends who were in the Japanese class for the care package so that she can practice the language before and while she is in Japan. I am going to ask my friends who were in the Writing Workshop class to get copies of their short stories and grammar notes so that the woman can use them as teaching tools. I will also turn to the English teachers at my high school for additional materials, such as note paper, writing utensils, and old books. I plan to use my classmates from Changing the World, who know all about the importance social justice, charity, and philanthropy, to help make the bicycle project a success. After I collect some materials, I am going to work with the National Honor Society at my school and make this care package. This could extend into a third branch of the Jamaica project, where NHS creates additional care packages for each of the students in Candice's class in Japan. 

My plan may seem convoluted and confusing on paper, but I think I have enough resources and support to make it work!
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Somersworth, NH, 03878
See map: Google Maps
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What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
I am trying to supply the impoverished communities in Jamaica with bicycles. There is so much poverty in Jamaica that people typically pay fares to use public bicycles or walk to get to their destinations. In America we take a lot for granted, when it comes to transportation. I want to "pay it forward" and make transportation one less stress that Jamaican people will have to live with.
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I want other kids in Jamaica to be able to use bicycles, the same way that I did when I was growing up in Somersworth, NH. Every child deserves a childhood with a bicycle, and every person deserves a method of transportation other than their own two feet. I went on vacation in Jamaica five years ago, and I remember seeing how impoverished it was. I don't want to be just another American tourist; I don't want to be a silent witness to the economic injustices in the world, I want to do anything I can to help, however big or small.
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The second part of this project is to help one woman in particular. I got the idea for this project by using an online language practice website. I saw a woman named Candice from Jamaica on the list of online members, so I decided to click on her name and start small conversation. I asked her how the conditions are in Jamaica, because I remember how impoverished it was when I went five years ago. She said that there are so many people without jobs, including herself. She stated that she has to go to Japan within the next few weeks to teach English to junior-high school students. This woman is the person whom I first proposed my bicycle project to. I would like to say that we are friendly acquaintances, if not distant friends. So, I would like to create a care package for her to use while she's in Japan. This past summer, I went to a five-week advanced study program where you specialize in one subject. In my dorm, I had people from my class, "Changing the World," as well as others from "Japanese Language and Culture." I am planning on using my former dormmates as a resource to make this care package possible; I am going to use some materials from my friends who were in the Japanese class for the care package so that she can practice the language before and while she is in Japan. I am going to ask my friends who were in the Writing Workshop class to get copies of their short stories and grammar notes so that the woman can use them as teaching tools. I will also turn to the English teachers at my high school for additional materials, such as note paper, writing utensils, and old books. I plan to use my classmates from Changing the World, who know all about the importance social justice, charity, and philanthropy, to help make the bicycle project a success. After I collect some materials, I am going to work with the National Honor Society at my school and make this care package. This could extend into a third branch of the Jamaica project, where NHS creates additional care packages for each of the students in Candice's class in Japan. 

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What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
I am trying to supply the impoverished communities in Jamaica with bicycles. There is so much poverty in Jamaica that people typically pay fares to use public bicycles or walk to get to their destinations. In America we take a lot for granted, when it comes to transportation. I want to "pay it forward" and make transportation one less stress that Jamaican people will have to live with.
Why is it important to you?: 
I want other kids in Jamaica to be able to use bicycles, the same way that I did when I was growing up in Somersworth, NH. Every child deserves a childhood with a bicycle, and every person deserves a method of transportation other than their own two feet. I went on vacation in Jamaica five years ago, and I remember seeing how impoverished it was. I don't want to be just another American tourist; I don't want to be a silent witness to the economic injustices in the world, I want to do anything I can to help, however big or small.
What's your plan of action?: 
I have already contacted two teachers at my school who are assisting me with this project and I have gotten a third ally, a local police officer, who is willing to help donate bikes and store them for the project. He also is helping to make sure that the shipping destination and recipient is legitimate. I recently spoke to my school's assistant principal who was a state representative - he has connections and is going to work with me so that we can contact the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica so that we will not have to pay for the shipping of a large number of bicycles overseas. Since this is an ongoing project, I am still collecting bicycles and getting shipping quotes from various companies. So far, I have about twenty bicycles. My goal is fifty to seventy-five bikes, depending on the feedback that I receive from the U.S. Embassy.

The second part of this project is to help one woman in particular. I got the idea for this project by using an online language practice website. I saw a woman named Candice from Jamaica on the list of online members, so I decided to click on her name and start small conversation. I asked her how the conditions are in Jamaica, because I remember how impoverished it was when I went five years ago. She said that there are so many people without jobs, including herself. She stated that she has to go to Japan within the next few weeks to teach English to junior-high school students. This woman is the person whom I first proposed my bicycle project to. I would like to say that we are friendly acquaintances, if not distant friends. So, I would like to create a care package for her to use while she's in Japan. This past summer, I went to a five-week advanced study program where you specialize in one subject. In my dorm, I had people from my class, "Changing the World," as well as others from "Japanese Language and Culture." I am planning on using my former dormmates as a resource to make this care package possible; I am going to use some materials from my friends who were in the Japanese class for the care package so that she can practice the language before and while she is in Japan. I am going to ask my friends who were in the Writing Workshop class to get copies of their short stories and grammar notes so that the woman can use them as teaching tools. I will also turn to the English teachers at my high school for additional materials, such as note paper, writing utensils, and old books. I plan to use my classmates from Changing the World, who know all about the importance social justice, charity, and philanthropy, to help make the bicycle project a success. After I collect some materials, I am going to work with the National Honor Society at my school and make this care package. This could extend into a third branch of the Jamaica project, where NHS creates additional care packages for each of the students in Candice's class in Japan. 

My plan may seem convoluted and confusing on paper, but I think I have enough resources and support to make it work!
How Can Others Help?: 
Stay optimistic. Believe that small groups can yield big change. As more people begin to believe this, more of these projects become successful!

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How many people are directly involved in your project? : 
5
How many people has your project helped?  : 
75
Location(s)

Somersworth, NH, 03878
See map: Google Maps
What's the problem you are trying to solve?: 
I am trying to supply the impoverished communities in Jamaica with bicycles. There is so much poverty in Jamaica that people typically pay fares to use public bicycles or walk to get to their destinations. In America we take a lot for granted, when it comes to transportation. I want to "pay it forward" and make transportation one less stress that Jamaican people will have to live with.
Why is it important to you?: 
I want other kids in Jamaica to be able to use bicycles, the same way that I did when I was growing up in Somersworth, NH. Every child deserves a childhood with a bicycle, and every person deserves a method of transportation other than their own two feet. I went on vacation in Jamaica five years ago, and I remember seeing how impoverished it was. I don't want to be just another American tourist; I don't want to be a silent witness to the economic injustices in the world, I want to do anything I can to help, however big or small.
What's your plan of action?: 
I have already contacted two teachers at my school who are assisting me with this project and I have gotten a third ally, a local police officer, who is willing to help donate bikes and store them for the project. He also is helping to make sure that the shipping destination and recipient is legitimate. I recently spoke to my school's assistant principal who was a state representative - he has connections and is going to work with me so that we can contact the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica so that we will not have to pay for the shipping of a large number of bicycles overseas. Since this is an ongoing project, I am still collecting bicycles and getting shipping quotes from various companies. So far, I have about twenty bicycles. My goal is fifty to seventy-five bikes, depending on the feedback that I receive from the U.S. Embassy.

The second part of this project is to help one woman in particular. I got the idea for this project by using an online language practice website. I saw a woman named Candice from Jamaica on the list of online members, so I decided to click on her name and start small conversation. I asked her how the conditions are in Jamaica, because I remember how impoverished it was when I went five years ago. She said that there are so many people without jobs, including herself. She stated that she has to go to Japan within the next few weeks to teach English to junior-high school students. This woman is the person whom I first proposed my bicycle project to. I would like to say that we are friendly acquaintances, if not distant friends. So, I would like to create a care package for her to use while she's in Japan. This past summer, I went to a five-week advanced study program where you specialize in one subject. In my dorm, I had people from my class, "Changing the World," as well as others from "Japanese Language and Culture." I am planning on using my former dormmates as a resource to make this care package possible; I am going to use some materials from my friends who were in the Japanese class for the care package so that she can practice the language before and while she is in Japan. I am going to ask my friends who were in the Writing Workshop class to get copies of their short stories and grammar notes so that the woman can use them as teaching tools. I will also turn to the English teachers at my high school for additional materials, such as note paper, writing utensils, and old books. I plan to use my classmates from Changing the World, who know all about the importance social justice, charity, and philanthropy, to help make the bicycle project a success. After I collect some materials, I am going to work with the National Honor Society at my school and make this care package. This could extend into a third branch of the Jamaica project, where NHS creates additional care packages for each of the students in Candice's class in Japan. 

My plan may seem convoluted and confusing on paper, but I think I have enough resources and support to make it work!
How Can Others Help?: 
Stay optimistic. Believe that small groups can yield big change. As more people begin to believe this, more of these projects become successful!
Total hours volunteered (to date): 
50
Start Date: 
02/03/2009
Money Raised: 
N/A
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