Here is a note from our country coordinator in Romania, Melanie:

I would like to thank eveyone who has helped over the last few weeks.  It has been an especially difficult time for us and the support and messages have really helped to keep the spirits up.  We have been touched by the kindness of our volunteers and thank you so much for your help.

We are going to use the funds raise to rebuild as soon as the weather allows.  We are awaiting structural engineering results to see whether we can rebuild on what was left or whether we need to demolish and start again. We will keep you posted.

Best wishes to all and once again many thanks

Melanie

Multumesc-Thank You from the adorable children at the Romanian orphanage

Please consider making a donation of any size through our donation site set up specifically to raise money toward helping the orphanage.

Or, text ROMANIA to 85639 on your mobile device.*

Thank you for all your support, for your dedication to our programs, and for your well wishes!

*$10.00 donation to United Planet Romania Fund. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 85639 to STOP. Text HELP to 85639 for HELP. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T.  Privacy Policy

United Planet is very excited to announce that Chie Goto will serve as the Country Manager in Japan for a new voluntary international exchange program between Japan, the United States, and other countries, entitled United Planet J-Initiative, J-Center Volunteer Leaders²(pronounced Volunteer Leaders squared).  Starting this week, Ms. Goto will oversee this program that expects to enroll over 650 American and Japanese volunteers within four years.

Chie gave a lecture at a school in Japan and discussed the work of United Planet

“Chie shares the same vision and mission of United Planet as exemplified by her life experiences and accomplishments. She understands how the principles of Relational Diplomacy can bring people together to enable us to surmount local and global challenges and realize our fullest global potential,” says Dave Santulli, Executive Director of United Planet.

“Chie’s life sets an example for many.  As our leader in Japan, Chie will be able to inspire and involve generations of volunteers and leaders to build understanding and work together to find global solutions. We are very proud to have Chie Goto join the United Planet team and build United Planet in Japan.”

Ms. Goto has founded three nonprofit organizations: “Japan-Kenya Student Conference” (JKSC), “Student Conference Network,” (SCN) and “Japan-India Student Conference,” (JISC).  For the nationwide Japanese newspaper, “Mainichi shinbun,” she served as a freelance journalist and has received numerous nonfiction writing awards. In 2005 the International Soroptimist Okazai, Japan awarded Ms. Goto for contribution towards society and International exchange.

United Planet J-Initiative, J-Center Volunteer Leaders² Program will allow underserved youth within Japan and America to foster cross-cultural cooperation and civic leadership through an innovative, sustainable voluntary exchange program. Building upon the 2010 Global Volunteer Exchange Visit funded by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), United Planet will expand relationships from across various sectors, including universities, NPOs, foundations, and companies. In a decade, United Planet hopes to engage over 4,000 incoming Americans and outgoing Japanese volunteers.

Chie in the newspaper!

Chie volunteering

The organization cites the ripple effect that each volunteer causes:

• The volunteer is transformed, and brings home the spirit of new understanding and relationships.
• The community benefits from the efforts and spirit of the volunteer.
• The volunteer acts as an ambassador for cross-cultural understanding, and helps to lay the groundwork for a “community beyond borders.”

“Each time a volunteer returns from their time in another country and another community, we get to hear the story,” says David Santulli, Executive Director of United Planet. “The person is grateful to have been welcomed into the community and to have forged important relationships. The community is proud to have supported the volunteer, and thankful for their efforts. And the spirit of understanding really does emanate from all involved.” United Planet has place thousands of volunteers in projects in over 40 countries around the world.

“It’s important to recognize that it’s not easy for anyone in the process,” Santulli says. “The volunteer travels and lives in rustic conditions, and pays for their accommodations. The projects have to find ways to tap into the skills and energies of the volunteers, while retaining their integrity and sustainability. And the organizations that coordinate these efforts have to take great care in ensuring the safety and dignity of everyone involved. But in the end, the benefits to everyone far outweigh the costs.”

"United Planet is Padrino General of the Aldea" in Cusco, Peru.

Examples of great volunteer experiences abound, and the benefits last.

First: The volunteer learns from the experience, and brings home a lifelong commitment to change, and new understanding about the world. United Planet volunteers have returned home to start new organizations aimed at supporting their projects, to raise money for new equipment and materials for schools and orphanages – and much more.

Michelle Haywood, who recently returned from Cambodia, says:  “I feel like my life is going to be so much more different now that I’ve done this – it has undoubtedly been the best decision I’ve ever made. Tonight showed me how much of a difference that I and all the other guests and volunteers make… This is really an experience that has to be personally lived for one to truly understand the magnitude of realization, appreciation and gratitude that it instills in someone.”

Second: The volunteers offer valuable services in the communities where they work. United Planet takes great care to find projects that tap into the energy and skills of the volunteers, without disrupting their essential work. These range from a Cancer Hospital in Tanzania to an orphanage in Romania to a school in rural China – and so much more.

In Cusco, Peru, many volunteers have worked at Aldea Infantil Juan Pablo 2, an orphanage that houses over 60 children. The director says “United Planet is Padrino General of the Aldea.” (Roughly translated, General Sponsor.) United Planet recently donated money to enable staff and volunteers to restore and update the buildings by painting and installing new tiles in the kitchens. “The kids, more than 60, will have a better and more cheerful environment to stay in. The local government did not repaint and maintained the houses for the 20 years that they are constructed, so you can imagine how they look like,” says Amelia Collantes Gonzales of the Aldea.

Elizabeth McKay, a medical volunteer in Peru, says:  “I volunteered in a free clinic in Cusco, where I joined the doctors and nurses in community outreach and Hepatitis B vaccinations… The friends that I made and the experiences I am taking with me will stay with me forever.”

Volunteers are just the best.

Third: The volunteers bring the best spirit of their country into other countries and cultures. While they struggle to find words and forge bonds, they are the best kind of ambassador for the idea of a “community beyond borders.”

“In an age where so much of our international strategy involves markets and weapons, it’s essential that we remember that we are all living on the same small planet,” says Santulli. “These citizen diplomats are forging bonds that can make a real difference in our world.”

Says Carolyn Rao, a returned United Planet Volunteer: “United Planet provides an invaluable service to both the Quest countries and the U.S. The friendships fostered on the Quest leave a lasting impact. On my Quest I was welcomed to help at the hospital and assisted as a mid-wife. The experience I gained in the medical field would never have been possible in the U.S. and I was able to help people while I learned.”

This year, we gathered the incoming crop of Long-term volunteers (they’ll head out in January 2011 for either 6 months or a year) for a weekend of training on a beautiful lake in New Hampshire. We had a great time getting to know them, and engaging in lots of fun activities.

A few highlights:

• Matthew, a seasoned international traveler and volunteer (and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer), will be one of four UP volunteers heading to Australia for our first time there!
• Harold and Erin, in their mid-20s, are going as a couple to Ecuador.
• Teijna, who was raised by parents who speak Finnish (but doesn’t herself), is heading to Finland to explore the land of her ancestors.
• Dilpreet, a young man whose parents are originally from India, is heading to Uganda.
• For the first time, United Planet is sending Long-term volunteers to Australia, South Africa, and Indonesia; we can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Thanks to everyone who participated; we’re anxious to follow their stories.

United Planet shirts go out into the world

I guess this is what you'd call "team building."

However you spell it, it comes out "Volunteering is awesome."

See several photos of their travels on Flickr.

Here’s a sampling…

United Planet and iEARN training Mongolian students on using computers

United Planet Vice President is the princess of United Planet

Theresa with Sarantuya in front of a traditional ger (yurt)

How cute is this little Mongolian girl?

United Planet is honored to be the organization chosen to implement this program on the ground in Mongolia and in Boston, MA. But what a task! We have to train teachers, interview students, locate host families, consider translation challenges – and learn loads and loads!

United Planet Vice President Theresa Higgs, herself a returned Peace Corps volunteer and veteran traveler, has been in Mongolia for the past couple weeks – and it’s been an eye-opener, even for her!

Read on for some of her funny and touching observations; and feel free to contact us for more information!

Notes from Theresa Higgs, reporting from Mongolia…

My trip is coming to an end as I leave tomorrow morning, but this program is just beginning!  The first 2 days of the 3 day youth journalism/media training were terrific!  Doing trainings like this in a different culture is always nerve-wracking, as you are not sure how activities and information will be received and how your communication style will blend with or conflict with the local style. 

I’m happy to report that this training has been a success!  Aside from a few challenges with translation, the participating students and teachers from 10 schools from around the country are so motivated and focused on learning more about journalism and community action. They have truly inspired me!  I know that students in Boston and Mongolia will learn a lot from each other and will have the experiences of a lifetime on their exchanges in 2011.  Anindita, my colleague from iEarn, and I are so excited about the incredible things that will come from this program over the next 13 months!

As I am preparing to leave this wonderful country, I thought I would share with you the things I am thanking the Great Mongolia for…

Thank you, Mongolia, for:

• Showing me the power of family warmth and love, even in cramped quarters and with the most limited of resources.
• Filling my lungs with more cigarette smoke this past week than all of my previous 33 years.
• Warming me up during the cold Mongolian winter in the warmest of gers!
• Scaring the **** out of me every time I cross the street.
• Sharing with me your students who are some of the most passionate and motivated I have ever met.
• Filling me full of more red meat this past week than I have eaten in the past year!
• Providing me insight into the joys and challenges of a country in transition from socialism to democracy, and what that means in the lives of young people and ordinary citizens.
• Leaving me with wonderful memories and a special place in my heart just for the warm Mongolian people!

And thank you to the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, for creating this program and providing all the funds to make it happen!

Final words from the most famous Mongol, Chinggis Khan himself – “If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.”  Mongolia has only flourished since his death almost 800 years ago!

Mr. Kristof tells the stories of three American women: Lisa Shannon, Elizabeth Scharpf and Maggie Doyne. Each of whom founded charitable projects that work to address social problems in the developing world.

While the six-page article’s celebration of activism is inspiring, it does, however, question the efficacy of activism w/out expertise. This is problematic and Kristof does assert that “Well-meaning individuals like Doyne help at the edges but don’t fundamentally change the nature of the challenge…” But that “the challenge is to cultivate an ideology of altruism, to spread a culture of social engagement — and then to figure out what people can do at a practical level.”

Amen!

What do you think? Are you inspired? What do you think is realistic? Do you want to make a difference?

Also, for tips on how you can get involved, check out Kristof’s blog post entitled “How To Change The World.”

Dear UP friends and members,

We feel so thankful for your help and warm hearts. You have been really helpful all the time and we really do feel better when we receive word from you.
Judy and Olivia are in Xining and are helping in hospitals. My husband and I are in Yushu and helping Jyegu in different ways. Until now, I can’t believe what I have seen in Jyegu. It is really a huge disaster for all of us. When I saw that they are burning the dead bodies, I couldn’t believe this was happening to us. Jyegu is not the same, it is totally different, just like a big war had taken place. Many many people have lost their homes. They have to stay in tents all the time. However, the quality of the tents is very poor for them to stay in for so long. They don’t have warm coats or a source of light. So we think they need good tents, coats and things that are solar powered as well as flashlights. People in Jyegu are in serious need so we think Jyegu is the main place that we are going to help. We also hope that we can help the elderly in Lhaba and the orphanage that our volunteers have gone to and helped. Thank you again!

Warm regards,
Tsaiyang, Deiji and Dechok

To help our partner community in Tibet recover from the earthquake devastation, please donate here. Proceeds will go to help those who need it most in the Yushu area.

I was so impressed by Tenzin’s commitment to his students, his passion for teaching, and the amazing students at his school that I decided that I had to do something to increase the number of English books in their library.

In January 2009, I threw a party at my house here in Phoenix. I invited everyone I could think of and asked that instead of bringing a hostess gift or a bottle of wine as they normally would, that they bring a book for the wonderful students that I had met in Tibet. The turn-out was amazing! People had such a great time either shopping for their favorite books or bringing a treasure from their childhood. One woman even brought her entire collection of mint condition Nancy Drew Mysteries. She told me that at first it was difficult to part with the beloved treasures, but once she realized that some child would be able to enjoy them as much as she did, it was an easy decision. In the end, I collected 650 books at that party.

In the meantime my cousin, who is a teacher, worked with her school librarian and started a competition to collect more books. We made large posters of the students and other people I had met in Tibet and the school created a fair-like event for the collections. The children at the Palo Verde Middle School loved this event. They collected over 1000 books within a week! This year they changed the goal to raising funds to help me ship the books.

As you can see, this small project has grown quite a lot. People continue to bring me books for Tibet. I use the USPS one-rate box and so far I have been very fortunate that all the books have reached the school without incident. Shipping costs just went up again, though, so it now costs well over $50 to ship each box. To compensate, I have decided to sponsor another party this year to collect donations for the shipments to Tibet. I am currently expecting 75 people and have already had some people send me donations!

All of this started with one small volunteer mission to Tibet through United Planet. I think it’s always amazing to watch such a small idea grow all around you!

To help Gloria reach her goal of sending over 1,000 books to Tibet, please email her at Gloria.Wells@eclipsys.com or mail a donation to: 13726 North Ambush Lane, Fort McDowell, AZ. 85264

Inspired? Plan your own Quest on our website.