July 9

July 08, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

 On the morning of January 9th, 2001, two men forcibly entered a small mud-bricked home near the village of Yakawlang, Afghanistan only to find a black haired, black eyed, freckle-faced, five-year old Hazara girl alone in the room stoking a heater.  The girl looked at the men’s faces, then at their Kalashnikov rifles that already dripped beads of melting frost onto the floor.  “Where is your father?” one of them asked, without introduction.The girl was stunned.  She didn’t know what to say.  The men dressed like Taliban, their guns were Taliban, but they looked different. ...

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Story from a volunteer with us

July 05, 2010

Vivekananda Trust , India

see the following link for the article.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B68VhNcQTOQ7ODllMDhhOWEtMjZlMi00MjA2LTg4MDctZGJkZmU2NDgyNjA3&hl=en

W.H.A.C. Testimonial by Greg Bodlovick

July 04, 2010

Wings of Hope Alliance for Cambodia, Inc. (WHAC), USA

I am Greg Bodlovick and would like to respond to your query regarding the Organization known as W.H.A.C. .Let me start with some background information regarding myself. I am the Manager within the Largest Wholesaler of Plumbing/Heating/PVF Construction products in the Northeast namely FW Webb Co.I have been in this function since 1979.(for more info on FW Webb Co and myself go to www.centraldistributionsales.com click on Virtual Tour and I am hosting it) I have always enjoyed my high level of Volunterrism which goes back some time, some of the areas that I have helped in over the decades; Ingraham...

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July 2nd

July 02, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die.”This is a quote attached anonymously to a video commemorating the life of Carl Sagan.  The video was brought to my attention this morning by a man who sponsors a child at Sitara I.  Sometimes I just like Nasruddin Hodha the foolish Mullah of Persian folklore, arrive on Friday with a blank mind. Seeing where that quote takes my thoughts, I trust somehow this page will be filled.From what I can gather this is actually a quote by Thomas Campbell, not Sagan.  I doubt Sagan would ever have concerned himself seriously with the immortality of an individual...

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College Success for First Batch of Shanti Bhavan Graduates

June 30, 2010

Shanti Bhavan, India

It is an exciting time for Shanti Bhavan. Our 12th grade children are going off to colleges to pursue a variety of majors, including Computer Science and Electronics, Psychology, Biotechnology and Chemistry, Business Management, Economics, Accountancy and Law.   They will be attending The National Law School of India, Mt. Carmel, St. Joseph’s and Christ College all in Bangalore.Our choice of colleges for the graduates was based on their reputation for academic excellence. Mt. Carmel, St....

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"Seeds of Hope" Jewelry Project

June 29, 2010

Hogar de Esperanza Orphanage, Peru
Jennifer Turner

        Here at the Hogar de Esperanza orphanage, we have a program called "Seeds of Hope," where the kids make beaded jewelry using seeds and beads found locally in Peru.  The bracelets, necklaces, and earings they make are later sold to groups of short-term volunteers or visitors to the orphanage in Trujillo, and also occasionally in the U.S., through American volunteers.    The majority of the profits made from each item of jewelry sold directly benefits the child who made it.  Most of the money gets put into a special savings account in the child's...

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June 25

June 24, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

 Bashardost, his given name, means lover of humanity.  Ramazan of course refers to the month of fasting, a month of sacrifice.  As people die in this war (for NATO and ISAF soldiers and Marines the worst month in the war’s nine year history, for civilians the worst year), and as oil slowly suffocates the life out of the Gulf, it is a lie if I say I particularly love humanity, and as I see the only sacrifice being made is by average people, not the ones in power, not the ones with the money and hands on the wheel, I grow tired of caring.  There do not seem to be any alternatives to capitalism, as all other systems equally...

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Sponsor a child in Uganda

June 22, 2010

SOVHEN Uganda, Uganda

Sponsor a child in UgandaFor just $30 per month - you can help an orphaned or vulnerable child in hard to reach rural and urban slum communities in Uganda achieve a sustainable and positive future. What is required is a start up fee of $100 and then a monthly support fee of $30 thereafter.Every sponsorship dollar touches more than just one child's life as sponsorship-funded programs benefit all children in the community. Sponsorship funds are added together in order to achieve real outcomes.If you have support in cash or in kind please consider making a onetime tax-deductible Small Charitable Donations today through our...

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Imprisonment, Reconciliation, and Education

June 19, 2010

Steve Le

 18 JuneDuring the first weekend of the World Cup, ESPN aired a feature on the role that soccer played in the lives of the men imprisoned on Robben Island during apartheid. Understandably, the story's focus was primarily on soccer's impact, but the point was that the sport not only allowed the prisoners to exercise their bodies and minds, socialize, and find purpose in their days, but it also enabled them to network, practice governance, and purposefully plan for the work to be done after their release to rebuild their nation. In Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela (who was not featured in the ESPN story) describes the decade leading...

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LEAP Schools, Teach with Africa, and Omprakash

June 19, 2010

Omprakash,
Steve Le

 18 JuneThrough this blog, I invite you to join me on a two-month journey to learn about education in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town. From mid-June to mid-August, I will be living and working in Cape Town at the LEAP Science and Maths Schools. I have come to this endeavor through the U.S.-based non-profit Teach with Africa (an official Classroom Collaborator), which seeks to bring educators in America to South Africa to form professional collaborations with those at the...

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June 18

June 18, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

I listen to music that brings me back, as particular tunes always will, to a time in my life, a specific event, or even a conversation or singular human act.  In times gone by it would only have been a concert, listening to a stereo in my bedroom or driving down the highway in a car.  As music became more mobile it began to attach to moments such as sitting in the forest betwixt three great grandmother trees, a Sitka spruce, a yellow cedar, a hemlock, or walking through Times Square late afternoon on a Friday in early March, the light hitting one sliver of sidewalk, people huddled for warmth in a sudden brisk wind.  Time...

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Shanti Kunj Report

June 17, 2010

Shanti Kunj, India

Background: The majority of the old aged destitute women in Darjeeling, INDIA are neglected and rejected in the society. They are forced to stay in the public places, cowsheds and land lord’s godown and they do not have capacity to earn for their hand to mouth everyday. It is due to the various causes such as poverty, homeless, sickness, familyless, single, etc. They are forced to engage themselves in hazardous work taking the risk of their lives even at the old age. They do not have place, dignity and respect in the society as they cannot speak for themselves. They are rather detached from the homely environment and isolated with social...

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My return to Nepal

June 14, 2010

Just One, Nepal
Gabriela Ruiz

After my volunteer experience in Nepal last year I learned how effective my studies in film making/multimedia could be in creating resources for development education. I came up with the idea of creating a film for use in schools to aid teachers in teaching students about development issues in developing countries, in this case Nepal. Once I proposed the idea to Omprakash I received nothing but enthusiasm as it fitted perfectly into their grass roots classroom initiatives. Once we discussed the finer points of the documentary and budget, I received $2500 for the project. I also contacted a development education organisation...

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11 June

June 11, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…I am back with my students.  I look at the sign Omid made for me on Teacher’s Day, and though it is overstated it nevertheless fills me with purpose and a tablespoon of pride: “The children future to Ian-jan hand”.  The fact he neglected to insert the possessive forms for the noun and proper noun lends a dollop of shame to the accolade; I have lapsed in my great responsibility.On Saturday (following the Jirga), Mehan was abuzz upon my arrival.  Normalcy and human contact come as a great relief to all. ...

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Working on Jesus House (My Blog Entry)

June 09, 2010

Pisco Sin Fronteras, Peru
Elizabeth Murillo

My First Week: (June 6, 2010)I was given the privilege to lead in the project that began construction the very first week I began with PSF (Pisco Sin Fronteras). Jesus is a 67-year-old man that was attempting to build his own house. He was given all the materials to construct his home from the government, but did not have the means or money to hire anyone to help him with the labor. Jesus and his wife are currently living in a series of huts made of pieces of bamboo woven together. (Mind you, the earthquake hit Peru well over 3 years ago and they still live in these conditions).The foundation for Jesus new house was solid, (hint,...

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SPONSOR A CHILD PROJECT

June 08, 2010

Richbone Initiative Foundation, Ghana

 SPONSOR A CHILD PROJECT Name of Child: Augustina OmariAge: 18Sex: FemaleCurrent school attending: Asasawa Secondary High SchoolOrphanage home at: Father Outreach Chris josh Dan’s home, old Ningo Brief History Augustina Omari who comes from a poor family lost his father at the age of three (3) years. She stayed with her mum and other 5 siblings to survive on one meal a day. Due to financial problems with her mum not able to cater for all the children Augustina moves to stay with her Auntie in Tema were she was helping her but her Auntie also lost...

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June 4

June 04, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

I have not seen the children for three days.  The “peace” Jurga is in town, along with ten thousand extra troops.  Rocket attacks, suicide bombers arrived on the first day. Yesterday, quiet.  Today, who knows.  The entire city is shut down.  Nobody goes out.  This is normal protocol.  It is strange to think of developing a sensibility toward attacks the way I would toward rush hour.  Don’t go around town between 8am and 10am (when most attacks for some reason occur).  Don’t drive alongside any convoy of any kind.  Don’t linger in one place too long.  So many...

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While in Peru

June 03, 2010

Jon Leposky

This is my first blog, and it is durring my stay in Peru. I am only going to talk about certain things now because I am keeping my full blog offline until I get back and I can have the appropriate time to edit.I am currently in Peru with Chiara, Alex, and Vance. We have thus far hit two of the organizations we plan to cover during our stay. So far the trip has been a lot of fun and for me personally has gone pretty well. I know as a group there has been some minor issues but nothing important. I find more humor out of them than dispair so don't worry. Right now we are covering Pisco Sin Fronteras and are almost finished....

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rescue center

June 01, 2010

TSAVO, Kenya

Isaac  a volunteer from Italy was amazed by the work we do at the wildlife rescue center. It is all about trekking to the African bushes and searching for any injured animals or orphans and carrying it back to the rescue centre. Crocodiles, tortiose, ostrich, guine fowls and many others in the centre will be your freinds. It is lovely feeding them and enjoying their company. You can imagine dining with these wonderful, awesome wildlife.However challenges are many including food. All are welcomed to join our rescue center and have fun. You will realize you wont waste your time evry day new glory downs in your life and new experience...

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May 28

May 28, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

 “Feedom is love; teacher is book.”Monday morning, instead of bringing me to Sitara II for classes Jamshid and Andeisha first needed to be dropped off at Mehan orphanage for a meeting.  When we arrived I knew something was up.  The porch and courtyard were empty.  I wanted to retrieve some materials I’d left in my classroom, so I climbed the steps and removed my flip-flops.  The doors to the orphanage were closed.  This almost never happens.  The latch was a little stuck, so I swung the doors open a little briskly and entered under the momentum of my push.  The high ceiling of the...

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a personal recap from Yachay Wasi

May 25, 2010

Yachay Wasi, Ecuador
Jacob Atkins

For three weeks in July of 2009, myself and five other individuals from Brunswick, Maine volunteered at the Yachay Wasi Intercultural Community Center in Quito, Ecuador.We were introduced to a beautiful culture where agricultural sustainability is prevalent and a divine sense of spirituality exists. On behalf of my group at Brunswick High School, I applied for the first collaborative grant given out by the Omprakash Foundation. After getting approval from the Brunswick School Board, the dream became a reality.Because of the substantial contribution from the Omprakash Foundation, we were able to personally...

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Leaving in two weeks

May 21, 2010

Kibera Girls Soccer Academy, Kenya
Caroline Sheahan

Hello,I'm leaving for Kenya in two weeks, to go work at Kibera Girls Soccer Academy for three months, until the end of summer. I cannot even express just how excited I am to go. I just received a Flip video camera to bring over there, and I'm hoping to video the girls, so that we can upload some videos on here, and on their school's blog. As great as it is to hear about all their stories, I think it'll be incredible to show their stories too- the moving image is very powerful.I believe that we can all be empowered with a video camera- and that it's a great way to show each other how we live and who we are. It would be absolutely...

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May 21

May 21, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

The students of American University of Kabul are part of a slim percentage of the young Afghan population (53% of Afghans are 18 and under) who are by any standard in their country affluent.  They pride themselves in going "western", wear jeans and oil their hair.  They invited a rock ‘n roll pick-up band made up of staff members from the U.S. Embassy to play at their “fun day” charity event last Saturday.  They are predominantly business majors, some of them already successful business owners who are merely trying to increase their net worth.  There are many people in this country who look at...

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14 May

May 14, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

I understand it has been a rainy spring in my native New England, a very rainy spring in Italy, and here in Kabul there have been floods to the north and even the usually trickling Kabul River has been replenished.  Every three days a thunderstorm has rolled through the city, laying down for a while the incessant dust.  This is in great contrast to a year ago when I first arrived and never saw rain at all.  A year ago, now, is a lifetime ago.Preparing the 15 children for their performance tomorrow has sent flashes through my mind of Julie Andrews teaching the Von Trapps how to sing.  The orphans are particularly...

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May 7

May 08, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

There were moments when I was between the ages of 3 and 14 that the political world crept into my life.  These were incidents that appeared and would then be stored away as dreams are stored away.  The television, black and white, rabbit eared, flickering, had something to do with how these events were understood.  Assassinations, mostly, but also images from war far away, and rocks being thrown in streets, and banners.  I marched in Memorial Day parades, blowing my silver trumpet, but soon a new kind of marching entered my lexicon, this in direct contradiction to the first.  Ever since those days I have not...

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Orphans and other vulnerable Children with disabilities are the most precious human assets! We are duty bound to provide a long life solution.

May 03, 2010

SOVHEN Uganda, Uganda

By providing some of the basic scholastic materials to the orphans and children with disabilities we contribute to the full empowerment of these right holders/claimers. We call upon well wishers who can provide donations and grants for home based care short term programs to come to the rescue of the orphans and children with disabilities in central southern region of Uganda.Every day surviving caregivers of orphans and children with disabilities are knocking at our doors for any form of assistance. As the new term begins on 24th May 2010, we are preparing to give out school requirements to some of these children with disabilities.If...

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April 30

April 30, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

Last night the full moon was like a great naked Daliesque eye watching Kabul with a kind of amazed curiosity.  It was of course the negative of an eye, the pupil being white and the whites black.  The iris, though, was an olive green washing into a periphery of russet-gold, a haloed iris that sometimes I’ve seen in my own when I dare to look, when I'm in a certain mood.  What this moon-eye saw was a carpet of twinkling lights draped across silhouetted valleys and mountainsides like fallen stars, a city of how many human spirits it is impossible to know, just as it is impossible to gather the dead and their numbers. ...

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GIVING ORPHANS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

April 28, 2010

Youth Vision Uganda, Uganda

Hundreds of children in remote kati kati village, Gulu district in northern Uganda cannot expect quality education from the locally based government schools because they are far away from their reach. These realities coupled with other challenges often lead many children to drop out of the mainstream school system. The headmistress of Bright Destiny Academy, Ms. Akello Susan, told parents in a meeting that not having lunch at school was one of the major reasons for the children’s poor performance and attendance in school. “When they are hungry,” She said. They are less inclined to pay attention to what is being taught....

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PenPal Project

April 25, 2010

Colegio Paulino Salgado, Colombia
Brett Rezek

Before leaving Colorado to make my way to Colombia I followed the advice of the Omprakah Foundation and decided to connect a couple elementary classrooms with those in Barranquilla. Speaking with the librarian at one of the local elementary schools was all it took to get the project rolling as she was also very excited for the challenge. Originally we discussed exchanging emails so that not only would the children get to learn about others in different countries, but also so they may have practice using modern technology. The plan was to attach photos with each letter, send videos eventually...

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here at last by Volunteer Ellie Honan

April 24, 2010

Expanding Opportunities, Kenya

i'm here!!! ive actually been here for a week so sorry i havent posted at all. things did not turn out as planned, which i am learning is often the way in kenya. bev and i had some mishap on the road and then we stopped at her children's home for the night and because of obligations she has here we are staying for the week. the boys in the home are great though! they are so fun to hang out with and i am learnng a ton from them. the standard of living here is insanely different. i dont like when they serve me and treat me all special because i am white so i have been helping with all the work and it is EXHAUSTING!! my hands and feet are all...

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A Little Reflection by volunteer Ellie Honan

April 24, 2010

Expanding Opportunities, Kenya

Tuesday, January 5, 2010I am fast approaching the two month mark of my return home and have now spent more time in Kenya than that which remains, so I have been thinking a lot about my experiences here and how they have affected me.It struck me the other day that my journey in Kenya has followed a progression very similar to my time spent on the Apple Valley Swim Team. Both experiences have been the type that are challenging to the point that I often doubt my sanity in pursuing them. Each day is both physically and mentally gruelling, and often times when confronted with small day to day tasks I am overcome by the same panicky dread...

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Forgotten People

April 24, 2010

Expanding Opportunities, Kenya

Northern Kenya is a land of vast expanses of dry acacia bush, and dusty clay, with a rugged, mountainous rocky backdrop. Hidden in its seemingly deserted and wild immensity lie many small villages, a thousand or so people in each living in small mud houses; living close to the land; in harmony and agony with the forces of nature. They are pastoralists, no longer roaming the length and breath of Africa but confined to smaller and drier spaces. In many cases they are a forgotten people. The road to their land is a crumbling hint at days long gone when there was a tar road....

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"Give Me 5 Shillings"

April 24, 2010

Expanding Opportunities, Kenya

The ragged dirty boy held out his hand. My heart tried to ignore him. But there he was standing in front of me. I shake my head and move on, a bundle of mixed emotions.I didn't have any change but that wasn't the real reason. We were told not to give them money. They would only go buy glue to sniff."Jambo, Mama".Another, this one even younger. I don't think he has ever had a pair of shoes. There are so many. This is horrible. How could I ever be fair? What on earth can I do?I move on. Shaken and...

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April 23

April 23, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

 Kabul is mars.  It is a great gaping mouth.  Its tonsils are clay, its tongue is imbued with polyps, and its teeth are brown, chiseled, not made to crush but to gnaw.  Even so, five times every twenty-four hours it sings a most reverential, haunting, beautiful song, like that I once said in this journal of certain creatures in the sea, only here the trajectory is not the depths but the heavens.  Kabul is a strange human concoction whereby history has been swept from the surface and buried beneath layers of dust and humanity like Sisyphus scraping together once again the act of being alive. There are reminders here...

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Volunteer Uganda: by Richard Bbaale: Founder Member & Director: SOVHEN UGANDA

April 20, 2010

SOVHEN Uganda, Uganda

Greetings from Uganda! On behalf of the staff and Volunteers of SOVHEN Uganda let me say that we are very pleased that you are considering an invitation to join us as a Volunteer through Omprakash. You will join a group of more than 300 Ugandan university student Volunteers who have responded to the invitation to undertake community development initiatives.We are basically serving children below 18 years who have lost one both parents. Their numbers include orphans in households: seperated from their siblings, widow and child headed, impoverished and abusive, institutional care, old and frail grand parents, orphans who have become...

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Three American Schools Are Helping Us Build a Children's Resources Centre

April 14, 2010

Movement for Rural Emancipation (MORE), India

With the success of the Mobile Library project, which serves 20 village schools, MORE is hoping to build a permanent learning space for five of those schools within a five-kilometer radius. The Children's Resources Centre would offer space and means for students and teachers to learn and teach hands-on. To help us build the CRC, three high schools in the United States are joining hands and creating a penpalship with some of our students. The American students will publish a children's book about the story of the van, the CRC, and some of the students whom they serve. Please watch the...

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Networking Within the Local Community

April 14, 2010

Colegio Paulino Salgado, Colombia
Brett Rezek

Shortly after arriving to Barranquilla, I noticed a lack of participation from locals within their developing and needy communities. In a city highly dependant on international commerce, known as the commercial gateway to Colombia, and containing several universities, I couldn´t believe that there was not a single Colombian volnuteering in any of the schools I had visited. As an American, I have always been taught that social service is an essential part of being a productive member of a community. Therefore, I decided to seek out a way to involve Barranquilleros (people fromBarranquilla) in our partner´s...

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Andean rural and remote communities: More than English teaching……..

April 14, 2010

Intag, Ecuador
Sandra Saulnier

Omprakash grant recipient Volunteering with Intag partner from October 21 to May 1st 2010I’m Sandra from France and I’ve been teaching English and computer skills to children from Intag communities in Ecuador for 6 months. As there are environmental issues in this beautiful part of the world, I was also motivated to raise public awareness about deforestation and helped Ned Creswell to develop the Ecotourism project. I’ve narrated my experiences as a teacher; the daily life shared with families from different communities and described the environmental issues in my...

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Seeds of the Future : Submitted by Solome Lemma | Saturday, November 28, 2009 - 11:03 PM | Region Sub-Saharan Africa

April 13, 2010

SOVHEN Uganda, Uganda

Mpigi, Uganda - On Saturday morning, we drove for about two hours from Kampala, Uganda, to visit the field sites of GFC’s grantee partner Supporting Orphans and Vulnerable for Better Health, Education, and Nutrition (SOVHEN). When we arrived at a local school where some of the organization’s activities take place, we were greeted by close to 50 children dressed in bright red uniforms and seated quietly in one of the classrooms. In charge of the agenda for my visit, the children demonstrated what they’re learning through performances, activities, and dialogue.SOVHEN is a youth-led organization that seeks to contribute...

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Check Out Diverse Classroom Resources!

April 04, 2010

Omprakash,
Steve Le

In an effort to share knowledge and direct dialog among Partners, Volunteers, and Classrooms, Omprakash presents a space in which users can upload materials that can enrich learning and understanding.  

Visit our Classroom Resources page to see news stories posted by our Partners, a news and entertainment magazine produced by a Kenyan girls' school, comprehensive research conducted by Classroom Collaborators on issues ranging from women's empowerment to best portable power devices.

We invite users to upload and share their own perspectives, educational materials, and images and videos.  

Planning a trip to Peru!

March 30, 2010

Helping Hands, Peru
Alex Rodrigues

 I have just finished planning a trip to Peru to visit 3 different Omprakash partners: Helping Hands, Expand Peru, and Pisco Sin Fronteras. I will be traveling with 2 other high school students from Pacific Ridge School in California on this 2 week journey. During this trip, we will be learning about what the partners are doing, testing a Surya unit (See AES), and filming documentaries to share with our local and global communities. The main points of this trip is to expand our own knowledge of non-protif work and help to share that message and raise funds for the Omprakash Partners. The final stages of planning...

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26 March

March 29, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

I sat down with Shogofa this week, and beside her Madina, and I asked them to take turns reading from a small book on astronomy. Their English came back to them in stops and starts, until I could sense they were starting once again to think in another language. The first word that tripped them was constellation. “Ahhh,” I said, sweeping my hand across the sky. “Sitara!” And we learned the first thing every one of us learns the first time we examine the night sky. “Big Dipper…”The two girls smiled and nodded. There is nothing I’ve seen in the world that compares to a child suddenly...

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20-21 March

March 29, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

Naruz, Afghan New Year is not associated with Islamic tradition, but goes back 3,000 years. It was once celebrated in England, and has roots in almost every culture in every part of the world. It is, after all, spring equinox. Where better to begin? It is fitting no matter how fast a plane can fly, getting to Afghanistan is grueling. This time I thought to make things better by avoiding India and entering through Dubai. Not any better, especially hauling around an eighty-pound duffel, a fifty-pound piece of luggage, a twenty-pound satchel and a thirty-pound instrument. (I know these things because each airline was keenly interested in...

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15 March

March 29, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

I am where I’ve dreamed from various movies I’ve seen, sitting in an outdoor café, cobblestone street across from the Academia di Bella Arte in Milano, Italy, surrounded by bohemian artists, smoking cigarettes, and the lilting, bouncing language that loves to end words with an “o” and pronounce “c” as if it were “ch”.  I sip a cappuccino and wonder where my interest in travel dissipated.  Certainly not from a sense of boredom, nor for lack of interest in architecture, history, sunshine or cuisine.  I have sold my home away, so I cannot be pining for roots, either.  I...

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Journal from 2009: The First Six Months in Kabul

March 29, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

Many of you followed my story about my stay at Mehan from April to September 2009, posted on Omprakash's old Message Board. With the old Message Board gone, I have reposted the journal in its entirety as a PDF for interested readers.

Please see the Classroom Resources page for the full text.

AFCECO Featured on NBC Nightly News

March 29, 2010

Omprakash,
Steve Le

In October 2009, Brian Williams, the host of NBC Nightly News, followed a tip from a U.S. Afghanistan veteran and found his way to Mehan Orphanage, a home for girls in Kabul. Williams featured Mehan's founder and the orphanage in the program's series "People Making a Difference." See here for the story: On the same day that Williams was interviewing the children at Mehan, Volunteer-Grant recipient Ian Pounds was introducing those same girls by name, telling about each one's unique personality, to the student body and faculty at Pacific Ridge...

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Volunteering at DEPDC

March 28, 2010

DEPDC, Thailand
Sara Adamak

I first came in contact with Development and Education Program for Daughters and Communities (DEPDC) while attending the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP). I spent a couple weeks at the school through a study abroad program; where as a class we went to DEPDC to learn about its program and teach art classes to the children. DEPDC is a non-profit school that provides free education to the community and a safe home for “at risk” children. They rely a lot on the generosity of others, whether it be their time or contributions. I left DEPDC wishing there was more I could do to help these children who had made their way into...

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San Diego High Schools Join Hands to Build Learning Center in Rural India

March 26, 2010

Movement for Rural Emancipation (MORE), India
Otesha Dream

Pacific Ridge School, Kearny High School, and Cathedral Catholic High School--all in North County San Diego--are joining hands and working with Omprakash Partner MORE to help Ravi Aluganti build a Children's Resource Centre in rural India.  The CRC has two  main goals: (A) To serve students at 5 rural schools within a one-kilometer radius of the Centre, giving students the freedom to learn and explore at their own pace. The CRC will provide resources for hands-on learning of math, the sciences, and...

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Roadmonkey Trip to Babati June 2010

March 25, 2010

Livingstone Tanzania Trust, Tanzania

Imagine a chicken coop that could help to grow rice.Imagine a fish pond that can generate gas.Imagine no more......... The Guys from Roadmonkey are bringing a team of volunteers to Babati to help us build a chicken coop on stilts over a fish pond. The chicken droppings fall into the water and the fish eat them. The droppings and the fish drippings creates a very much water. this water can be used to generate 3 times as much rice as normal water might. By introducing some special water lily type plants to the water we can keep the water cool and the plants can be used in a biogas project which can generate enough gas to cook...

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Trip #2 - Back to Yachay Wasi

March 25, 2010

Yachay Wasi, Ecuador
Katharine Pounds

Pictures of the second Surya trip to Yachay Wasi:This trip was a huge success. The Surya unit traveled to the Yachay Wasi with Greg Conyers and was sold to Yachay Wasi at a subsidized rate. The unit has been very helpful to Yachay Wasi and we have gathered valuable information from this trip. We have now sold our first unit and...

The Original Story

March 25, 2010

Yachay Wasi, Ecuador
Alternative Energy Sources A

 To field-test our first model, we teamed up with a group of students from Brunswick, Maine. The Brunswick group went to Ecuador for 3 weeks to volunteer at Yachay Wasi, an Omprakash partner, in the summer of 2009 and agreed to take a Surya 10 with them. This small briefcase-sized solar unit was able to charge their electronics throughout the trip. The people at Yachay Wasi embraced the technology and requested a permanent unit once one becomes available.The students and faculty of the school in Ecuador were happy to see a solar panel because they desire to have their own solar energy, and this was an experience that proved...

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"My Ice Cream is Melting"

March 25, 2010

Esperanza de Cambio, Peru

In working with children, it becomes apparent that they have problems. Some are small problems and some are quite serious problems. I am a prolific writer. I have begun a childrens' book to help children with their problems with common sense solutions. The book, "My Ice Cream is Melting" will be published in English and Spanish. I would like the illustrations to be made by children. I am currently compiling ideas, problems, solutions, and pictures for the book. If anyone has contributions that they would like to add, I am happy to take a look. Once it is completed, the challenge will be to get it published and distributed. All profits...

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Sekhar Subramani of New Jersey, USA visited Parijat Academy

March 25, 2010

Parijat Academy, India
Uttam Teron

Sekhar Subramani of New Jersey, USA visited Parijat Academy recently on February 2010. He first came to know about Parijat Academy from Omprakash Foundation www.omprakash.org  . He attended Parijat Academy annual function during his visit. He stayed three days at Parijat Academy. He interacted with the children and teacher of  Parijat Academy. He enjoyed  staying at Parijat.  He  supported Parijat Academy the mudfilling in the pond which was  infront of the school. The pond now filled up with mud and ready to  play for children and every morning and after Parijat...

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Volunteer from USA

March 25, 2010

Parijat Academy, India
Uttam Teron

Laura Schuchart, Missouri, USARecently came for 5 weeks to volunteer at Parijat Academy. She taught Art and  painting to the Primary level children at Parijat Academy. She stayed 5 week at Parijat Academy. She taught Hulla Hoop dance also to our school children during  her stay.  She will plan again to visit Parijat Academy  next year. She enjoyed staying at Parijat.Our address:Parijat Academy a small school for the underprivileged childrenPamohi, P.O. Garchuk, Guwahati-781035, Assam, IndiaPh: +91-9864041711email: parijatacademy03@yahoo.com...

Real stories you will face while working with Raksha

March 24, 2010

Raksha Nepal, Nepal
Bea Puerta

Parvati, was born in Dolakhha district. During the war, the Maoists arrived to her village and tried to force her to join them. The only desire of that 15 year old girl was continuing her studies, so she had to flee her village and arrived to Kathmandu.Her uncle lived in the capital, and accepted her home, but after some time, he told her she had to find a job because he was not able to take care of her anymore. Parvati, being a teenager, found herself alone in the streets of Kathmandu. She finally found a friend from her village who had managed pretty well in the capital who offered to pay for a security guard training so that she could...

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11 March

March 22, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

The new year approaches in Afghanistan. I am about to board a plane with a one-way ticket in hand. Before I go I feel I must describe the events of last evening at the Kennedy Center in Washinton, D.C.Six women were honored with a Vital Voices award before a gathering that included dignitaries, ambassadors, businesswomen and celebrities. High profile folks included Hillary Clinton, Melinda Gates, Nicholas Kristof, Sally Field, Reese Witherspoon, and Brian Williams. The awardees are extraordinary women from Brazil, Bahrain, Pakistan, America, Kenya and Afghanistan. Go to this web site to learn about each of these inspirational game...

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18 February

March 22, 2010

AFCECO, Afghanistan
Ian Pounds

Wistfulness fills my heart as I write this letter. Last October 3rd I began a very long and very winding tour around this country, speaking to thousands of folks about the lessons I learned from the children of Mehan and Sitara orphanages and the Afghans who direct them. This was something I had not planned. In fact, upon my return from Kabul I had no plan at all. The speaking tour seemed to take on a life of its own. You are the people who made it happen. Sixth graders to a room full of octogenarians, Democrats to Independents to Republicans, rich people and poor, you showed me what is universal about our identity as Americans. We are not,...

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Ravi's Mobile Library

March 20, 2010

Cathedral Catholic High School Key Club

Since 2001, Ravi Aluganti of Audhra Pradesh, India, has given students at 20 rural schools access to books with his Rural Mobile Library. Taking from a storage space that contains over 30,000 volumes, Ravi travels around in a blue van packed with books, making stops at two schools each day, completing the rounds every 10 days. Due to his desire for children to engage in a more comprehensive learning environment, Ravi decided that a permanent Children's Resource Centre (CRC) would be instrumental for these underprivileged children.In order to achieve his goal, Ravi needs a total of $18,000 (US) but it is our part to raise...

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A volunteer's experience teaching with Abriendo Mentes

March 18, 2010

Abriendo Mentes, Costa Rica
alexander gomez

This is a story written by Abriendo Mentes volunteer, Maggie Roberts, in March 2010.  Volunteer teaching for Abriendo Mentes has been both an incredible and formidable experience. The children here need many of the resources that kids in the US take for granted. But every day I see so many kids who brighten when they walk into our classes. I have fallen in love with all of them, watching each kid grow a little bit more every day. They differ from an American child in the sense that their critical thinking skills and creativity have not been nurtured. I immediately noticed that they desired positive affirmation, love, and one-on-one...

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Madam, they only take the test once

March 17, 2010

Liz Clibourne

Every year, all over Tanzania, thousands of Standard Seven kids take what is known as the leaving exam. Passing this test allows them to continue on to secondary school. A child need only pass 3 of 7 subjects, English, Math and Kiswahili. A passing grade is 50%. When I arrived in Idweli, a small village in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, the test has been completed and scored, and out of 54 children in Idweli Primary School Standard Seven, 2 passed. I was appalled, but still hopeful. I went to the Headmaster and offered extra classes for those who failed, so they could retake the test and hopefully do better. He looked at me...

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Photography as a teaching tool

March 04, 2010

Rainbow Academy, India
Sam Modest

My name is Sam Modest, I graduated Bowdoin College in May of 2009, and I'm from Medfield, Massachusetts. I spent three months volunteer teaching at the Rainbow Academy in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India this past fall. While the main focus of my work was on spoken English, I sought to provide incentives to learn English through an interdisciplinary classroom environment, in which art and English education melded into one. Before I left for India, I received a seed grant from Omprakash to purchase eight compact digital cameras. While the children learned valuable technical photography skills, they also used the cameras to explore...

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