Lifeline for the Old

I noted in my first post that I was planning a trip to Israel. With the passing of the Winter holidays, this is something I am no longer doing. From December 18 through 29, I had the pleasure of spending some quality time in the Holy Land with my lovely mother.

While in Jerusalem, we had the opportunity to dine with an individual I had met only once before. The rabbi from a close friends wedding is studying in Israel and over some great shwarma, he opened our eyes to some of the answers for which we had been looking.

His wife, who has accompanied him on his venture in the Middle East has sought out ways to become involved in the community and she introduced us to one of the perfect examples of responsible business, Lifeline for the Old.

The group hosts a facility for workers above the age of 60. Workers are divided by skill level and task preference and then the work begins. From their workstations donning their pictures, the elderly individuals do arts and crafts ranging from embroidery and jewelry making to the creation of stuffed animals and pottery painting. The work is not enduring, 3-4 days a week and only in the mornings. The goods are sold in an on-site gift shop, and the workers are paid a small stipend. Additionally, the workers are rewarded with a hot meal and optical benefits.

But the facility provides more than a job, it is a great harbor for the elderly to interact with others their age, talk about their experiences and apply their skills. After lunch, workers are not required to work, and can simply stay and socialize. The organization lends itself well to many great partnership and helps raise the comfort and support that is often missing from the lives of the elderly.

The visit was so moving that it has spun some wheels in my head. I would love to help launch one of these organizations locally. I have already begun assembling the plan.

Students Helping Honduras

Toni Morrison states, "At some point in life, the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough." The note resonates with me as I reflect on the amazing places I've seen and people that I have met. I hope to see this experience list continue to grow and know that every place and person I have come to know has shaped the eyes with which I see the world. And of the pain and difficulty that these eyes have also seen, those are images that cannot be unseen. The solution is not to punish yourself for these facts, but rather to improve and dedicate yourself to their eradication.

No one I have known has done this more effectively than my friend and fellow Mary Washington Eagle, Shin Fujiyama. Since visiting Honduras for the first time, Shin has dedicated himself to the plight of women and children in the region. Groups build schools, housing and learning centers, as well as work to develop safer sources for clean drinking water. With his sister, he established Students Helping Honduras, an organization that has raised nearly a million dollars for the cause and even more awareness to the trouble in the region. For his dedication, Shin was recognized as a CNN Hero.

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with this non-profit organization. With three classmates, we worked with Shin to understand what help we could offer. We were able to compile some literature focused on fund raising and acclimation for both students and parents. We also assembled a list of target schools that Shin can use to take a more deliberate approach to growth, as well as marketing plan to assist the growth of the org's merchandising strategy.

The impact generated by a single individual is remarkable. Please visit the links above to understand how you can become involved.

Homelessly Walking

I guess twice makes it a tradition. For the second consecutive November, I spent a Saturday morning walking for the DC homeless. The event was sponsored by Fannie Mae and had a tremendous turn out. I don't mind the walking, and I was happy that nearly 40 of my classmates woke up early to join the cause, most fashionably, Alan and DVK in their lovely snuggies.

The event offers a good chance for the different programs and cohorts and years to mix in a non-alcohol induced setting.

When participating in such events, I am always drawn to certain questions. One, for all the dogs participating, do they feel the same level of appreciation for the cause? Second, and more seriously, why must these three hours of my life be commemorated with a t-shirt? I have to believe that the effort to aid the homeless would have been further empowering if the production of thousands of t-shirts that won't see the light of day was forgone. Think of the energy, labor and capital resources that were involved in this production, delivery and distribution.

With that, I know folks like to have a tangible reminder of the day. To that, I offer, just bring a snuggie and your camera.