Apropriate Development

Recently, a friend of mine asked me for help in finding a program that she could volunteer with for six to eight weeks in South America or Africa. I thought that it would be more than easy to come up with a program for her. I started contacting friends and doing some research online, but I wasn't as successful as I had thought I would be. I was finding many programs, but most required that she pay a substantial fee. I know there are more than enough organizations that would be glad to have volunteers, and if she had wanted to go to Jamaica, it would have been no problem at all for her to stay in my friend's house, volunteer with any number of local organizations, and have very little expenses. I am sure that there are many opportunities like this out there, where a friend could put someone in touch with organizations in country that would love to have a volunteer for a short period of time, but making those contacts tends to be difficult for many well-intentioned volunteers. On another note, many of the pay to volunteer excursions have extra benefits such as insuring you or navigating visas, country restrictions, and local customs. They also help to maintain your safety, making sure you end up in a proper experience.

I am continuing to do research on this and would love to hear about programs or opportunities that others may know about.

Patricia Haynes is again holding her Toys for Children party in Providence, RI on December 16. This is the 13th year for her fabulous party - bring a toy or two for a child and pay $15 at the door (at the Black Rep on Westminster Street) and have a wonderful feast with terrific music. This year she is featuring Flipside. The party starts at 4 pm and goes until about 8. Call 401-699-4078 if you have any questions. This is the biggest grassroots, hometown, charitable party you will go to this winter!

After giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, I have been slow on the blogging. I did want to post a note about an event in Philadelphia this weekend. Taking place on Sunday, July 15, at Independence National Historical Park from 4 to 6 p.m. the Building Bridges Coalition will be having a large gathering to show support for international volunteering. Attendees will spell out the word "Volunteer" through a human chain. Check out www.wevolunteer.net for more information.

I used M-Bags in Peace Corps to receive books and educational materials from people at home and schools in the US that were trying to help the children I worked with out. It's much less costly. On May 14, the US Postal Service eliminated these International Surface Bags, otherwise known as M-Bags. To learn more - or get involved in a possible online petition - check out http://peacecorpsconnect.typepad.com/peacecorpspolyglot/

I am not only a fan of Deidre, but also a strong champion for this cause as it has affected my family. Help them out today!

Support Deirdre Magnan in the 2007 Walk to Cure Diabetes

Greetings!

I'm writing to you to ask for your support in a very special cause.
This year, I'll be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk to Cure Diabetes along with a half-million other walkers across the country. Our goal: To raise $90 million to help fund research for a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people--a large and growing percentage of them children.

Many people think type 1 diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with type 1 diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure. Aside from the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by the disease.