Compassion Art CD

CompassionArt is a charity that joins the dots between art and poverty. It raises money to help breathe life into the poorest communities, restoring hope and igniting justice.

By getting famous musicians to record an album and sending the proceeds to underdeveloped countries, this cause is unique in its direction and vision.

Every songwriter has chosen a charitable project that will share in half the PROCEEDS that these songs raise.

CompassionArt has "discovered is that we've only just scraped the surface when it comes to revealing the enormity of ways in which we who write and play and sing and dance and paint and act and sculpt and cut and paste can get involved in breaking poverty's strangle hold. This is a new day and we're so glad you've joined the team."

Buy the CD

Share the Well by Caedmons Call

"You know I've heard good people say

There's nothing I can do

That's half a world away

Well maybe you've got money

Maybe you've got time

Maybe you've got the Living Well

That ain't ever running dry"

In their 12-year history as a band, Caedmons call has been a strong supporter of international ministries like Compassion International and India's Peace Gospel Ministries. And, like many artists, they've taken some foreign missions trips. But few have incorporated their passion for world missions into an album as Caedmon's has on the self-produced Share the Well.
The band packed up their recording gear and traveled to Brazil, Ecuador, and most notably India, where they joined the Dalit Freedom Network in ministering to the oppressed bottom-rung caste of North Indian society. India's Dalits, who outnumber the total U.S. population, aren't even permitted to drink from wells until an upper-caste person draws water for them.

There's naturally a spiritual metaphor to be gleaned from this stark image, inspiring the album's title. Is it any wonder that the band members consider this their most important album?
The resulting songs are a natural hybrid of the band's familiar folk pop/rock with the sounds and styles of the countries they visited; some of the musicians the band met are in fact touring with Caedmon's in the U.S. this fall.

Though colored heavily with an array of ethnic instrumentation, the songs are thoroughly Western pop at the core. In the inspired "Wings of the Morning," there's an interesting interplay between minor-sounding traditional Indian Bhangra music and the major Western pop style, effectively contrasting doubt and hope. "International Love Song" is sparsely instrumented with just acoustic guitars and Indian tablas, demonstrating how the varying cultures are not that different in the relentless pursuit of love and peace. The closing "Dalit Hymn" is like an Indian folk protest song, boldly pleading for the Prime Minister to free the untouchables and expose the caste system as a lie that flies in the face of God's Word.

Play Street Soccer - wikiHow

I made a wikiHow explaining how to play street soccer. check it out: Play Street Soccer - wikiHow

Nothing But Nets

So this friday I went to a Jimmy Needham concert in college station over the weekend and it was amazing. Towards the end of the concert i realized that the show was actually a fundraiser, and all of the proceeds went to the organization: Nothing But Nets.

This cause focuses on the life-threatening illness, Malaria, and the pracitical ways to stay healthy amidst this spreading disease. There's a simple and cost-effective solution to prevent malaria deaths. For just $10, the organization can purchase a bed net, deliver it to a family, and explain its use. Bed nets work by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur. A family of four can sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net, safe from malaria, for up to four years. The benefits of bed nets extend even further than the family. When enough nets are used, the insecticide used to deter mosquitoes makes entire communities safer—including even those individuals who do not have nets.

Malaria is a disease caused by the blood parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria, from the Medieval Italian words mala aria or “bad air,” infects more than 500 million people a year and kills more than a million— one person dies about every 30 seconds.
Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa, where it is a leading killer of children. In addition to being home to the deadliest strain of malaria and the mosquito best equipped to transmit the disease, many areas in Africa lack the proper infrastructure and resources to fight back.
The disease is a self-perpetuating problem with large-scale impact on societies and economies. Malaria accounts for up to half of all hospital admissions and outpatient visits in Africa. In addition to the burden on the health system, malaria illness and death cost Africa approximately $12 billion a year in lost productivity. The effects permeate almost every sector. Malaria increases school absenteeism, decreases tourism, inhibits foreign investment, and even affects the type of crops that are grown.

Books For Africa

At Books For Africa, they believe that education is the great equalizer in the world, and books are at the foundation of a strong educational system. For many children in Africa, the gift of books truly is a gift of hope.

Access to an education is one of the only opportunities young people have to end the cycle of poverty and attain a better quality of life than previous generations. Books For Africa works to help children who otherwise would not attend school by supplying educational materials to reduce or eliminate education costs.

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 40 percent of school-age children in Africa do not attend school. Forty-six million African children have never set foot in a classroom. Most African children who attend school have never owned a book of their own. In many classrooms, 10-20 students share one textbook. Many people in the United States take these educational necessities for granted, but children in Africa cherish books.

Hydrate Hope

"is the first global project of "I Am Change" that began out of asking the question, “with so many needs in the world, where can we begin to make a difference”. Our answer…start with the biggest. With water being the #1 killer in the world, our passion is to engage this preventable global atrocity head on. Over 1.1 Billion people in our world have no access to clean water. That's basically 1 out of every 6 people on our planet. More than 2 million people, mostly children, die each year from preventable waterborne illnesses. 2.6 Billion people are without basic sanitation. Many women and children walk over than 2 hours each way to often fetch more than 40lbs of dirty water for their families. This creates an absence of time and energy necessary for education or small business. The heartbreaker...4 children die every minute...that means that every 15 seconds another child dies....we want this to change. This has to change!
With almost 1.2 Billion people in our world lacking access to a clean water supply and over 2.6 Billion having no means of healthy sanitation, water problems, directly or indirectly, plague virtually half of our world. More than thirst, a lack of clean water affects three primary areas of life: health, poverty, education."

Hydrate Hope "is committed to creating sustainable low-cost clean water solutions in the developing world. We do this by working directly through local partnerships who understand the exact needs and the best solutions in the area. Solutions include Shallow Well Drilling (Bore-Hole), Well Repair/Rehab, Bio-Sand Filters, Rain Catchment and the construction of Sanitation facilities. With every partnership that we work through, we require a sanitation and hygiene training course to happen in conjunction with the implementation of every project. Additionally our direct local partnerships enable us leverage the greatest return on investment and increase financial productivity in these developing world economies.
Project costs vary per country depending on the scope of work, import fees for supplies and strategy of implementation."

KSBJ's Mother's Day Concert '09

Who: Jimmy Needham, Chris and Conrad, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra

Location: Towne Lake Community
Barker Cypress @ West Rd (Behind Berry Center)
Cypress, TX

Date: Saturday, May 9th

Time: 12:00 pm

What: food, family, community, games, and a concert.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

TheVision: a world in which all communities have the capacity to meet their basic human needs.
The Mission: driven development programs worldwide through the design and implementation of sustainable engineering projects, while fostering responsible leadership.

The organization has about 350 water, renewable energy, sanitation and other projects done in partnership with local communities and people around the globe.

It helps create a more stable and prosperous world by addressing people's basic human needs by providing necessities through the help of 300 vibrant and dedicated chapters, including university chapters on 180 campuses.

To change the world, there needs to be a change in thinking—and change in engineering approaches for the 90 percent of the world still living without basic services.
Through more than 400 projects in 47 countries , Engineers Without Borders designs and implements low-cost, replicable and sustainable water, energy, sanitation, and other projects. They use designs, materials, and technologies that are appropriate to the communities and cultures in which we work.

Engineers Without Borders has touched the lives of more than one million people. It expects to impact two million more in the next four years.

I J M: International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.

IJM lawyers and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems. IJM investigators, lawyers and social workers intervene in individual cases of abuse in partnership with state and local authorities.

IJM is headquartered in Washington, D.C. but there are operations in Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

IJM works with the following casework types: Sexual Violence, Slavery, Illegal Detention, Police Brutality, Illegal Property Seizure, and Sex Trafficking

How To Help:

Give

-become a 'Freedom Partner'

Serve with IJM

-jobs, internships, fellowships, volunteer

Lead where you are

-mobilize your church/school through campaigns

Advocate

Pray

-become a prayer partner

Learn

-with books, videos, and useful tools through the IJM store

Join IJM locally

Singer/Songwriter Sara Groves recently noted that:

“It is one thing to hear about these injustices in the news, but to hear from people who, compelled by God's love for the oppressed, have entered into people's lives at this level is something else entirely. This is an incredible opportunity to hear from and join with people who are the history-makers of our day.”

The 1000 Wells Project

"[The 1000 Wells Project] saves lives by helping people drill clean wells in Africa."

-25,000 people lose their lives to water-related illnesses every single day.

-Women and children walk 2 hours each way to fetch water (hauling dirty water back to their families.) They have no time or energy left for education or small business, and many die.

-Preventable water related diseases kill 4 children every minute.. Imagine if that many precious ones were dying in the U.S.!

How To Help:

-Start by watching the video.
-Take a moment to read "why participate?" and learn more about the water crisis.
-Make water your only beverage for just 2 weeks.
-For those 2 weeks, take the money you would usually spend on soda, juice, sports drinks, coffee, milk, etc., and collect it in a your favorite mug or cup.
-Get your friends and family in on the act. Better still, arrange to bring The 1000 Wells Project to a church, school or civic organization in your area. See the Checklist for Group Participation.
-When the 2 weeks is over, contribute the funds to Blood:Water Mission by sending your check to the address below. Also include a feedback form with your contribution:
-Write a check payable: Blood:Water MissionPO Box 60381, Nashville, TN 37206

WWF- World Wildlife Fund

"WWF's ultimate goal is to build a future where people live in harmony with nature." It is a global conservation organization.

"In the face of massive, unprecedented threats to the natural world – especially climate change and unsustainable resource management – WWF will focus on truly global conservation priorities which can achieve real and lasting change. "

WWF believes that the earth is at a critical point where the decisions and actions taken by one species - ours - will determine the future of all life. In order to survive and prosper, we must urgently change our course. We must ensure a healthy planet where people and nature thrive in a stable environment, now and for generations to come.The only way to ensure this is to preserve biodiversity, the places they live, and reduce humanity’s impact - our footprint - on their natural habitats. This work must start right now.

The diversity of life on Earth is not simply something to marvel over – it’s also vital for our own health and livelihoods. Plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms form a complex, interconnected web of ecosystems and habitats that provides our life support system. They give us clean water, breathable air, food, medicine, energy, and more. We simply cannot survive without them.

There’s a problem though...

People are already using nearly 30% more natural resources than the Earth can replenish and our activities are drastically changing the planet’s climate. As a result, biodiversity is under threat – and the life support system is starting to break down. Millions of people are already feeling the consequences. Around the world, in rich and poor countries alike, people are facing uncertainties over food security and water availability, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters and diseases. Things will get much worse if we keep going the same way.

WWF takes action to help the environment by taking the following three steps:

-It uniquely combines traditional conservation with work to address the global dynamics driving biodiversity loss and humanity’s unsustainable use of natural resources.
-It focuses efforts on the most important places, species, and issues, and integrates this work to offer local and global solutions.
-It also taps into the enormous power we all have – as consumers, local community members, landowners, politicians, policy makers, business and industry leaders, development and conservation workers, farmers, and fishers

-donate money
-'adopt an animal'

-buy a gift (crafts, apparel) where the proceeds go to the organization

by visiting the website/calling the phone number:

www.worldwildlife.org

1-800-call-wwf

The MS 150

The MS150 connects 13,000 riders to a growing movement to end multiple sclerosis [MS], thanks to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter.

The core values that the society holds are commitment, leadership, integrity, excellence, and teamwork.

To become a part of this movement, you can sign up as a volunteer for the ride, make a donation, or ride in the race yourself by collecting donations from friends and family.

The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising bike ride from Houston to Austin. It's the largest non-profit event of its kind in North America with 13,000 registered cyclists, 3,000 volunteers and countless supporters and spectators. In 2008, the BP MS 150 raised more than $15 million for MS research and services for persons living with multiple sclerosis.

This year's race took place on the weekend of April 18/19th. Priority Registration for 2010's race takes place in October of 2009.

"One Ride, One Destination, A World Free of MS"

Habitat for Humanity International

is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to provide decent shelter to families in need. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. It was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller.

You can volunteer with Habitat for Humanity locally, donate a monetary gift, be an advocate, get involved with a partnership, or attend building events.

To volunteer where you live, use the website’s affiliate search engine to find contact information for your local affiliate. Other opportunities to support Habitat’s work also are available—see the get involved section.

If you prefer donating money online at the website (habitat.org), the dollars given go to buying different necessary materials for building the houses:
$10 = Box of Nails
$35 = Roof Shingles
$50 = Low Flow Toilet
$75 = Window
$100 = Kitchen Sink
$150 = Front Door
$500 = Siding
$1000 = Wallboard
$2000 = Flooring

To Write Love on Her Arms

is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

TWLOHA's VISION:

"You were created to love and be loved. You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters.
We live in a difficult world, a broken world. We believe that everyone can relate to pain, that all of us live with questions, and all of us get stuck in moments. You need to know that you're not alone in the places you feel stuck.
We all wake to the human condition. We wake to mystery and beauty but also to tragedy and loss. Millions of people live with problems of pain. Millions of homes are filled with questions – moments and seasons and cycles that come as thieves and aim to stay. We know that pain is very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.
You need to know that rescue is possible, that freedom is possible, that God is still in the business of redemption. We're seeing it happen. We're seeing lives change as people get the help they need. People sitting across from a counselor for the first time. People stepping into treatment. In desperate moments, people calling a suicide hotline. We know that the first step to recovery is the hardest to take. We want to say here that it's worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it's possible to change.
Beyond treatment, we believe that community is essential, that people need other people, that we were never meant to do life alone.
The vision is that community and hope and help would replace secrets and silence.
The vision is the possibility that your best days are ahead.
The vision is the possibility that we're more loved than we'll ever know. "

By donating on the website or buying any of the various items (v-necks, hoodies, t-shirts, and accessories) the money received goes towards reaching others through this non-profit movement.

MOCHA CLUB

"REDEFINING THE COFFEE BREAK"

Mocha Club is about connecting your community with a community in Africa. You start by giving up $7 a month, the cost of 2 mochas. And you get to pick where that money is going. Mocha Club has many different ongoing projects around Africa - pick the one that YOU love.

The next step is to start your team so you can invite others to join in making a difference! Build a personal profile and invite everyone you know to contribute as well. Share profiles, and share an experience in what you believe in.

Mocha Club keeps you updated on exactly how your money is being spent. Staying connected with your team is easy through the "member-to-member" messaging tool [MCMail] where you can welcome new members, discuss what you are a part of, and encourage each other to keep inviting friends!

TOMS is an organization that was founded with the vision of giving one pair of shoes away, through the selling of a pair to the public. There have been shoe drops all over the world, where supporters and enthusiasts can join the organization and travel globaly as a part of the movement. Since its beginning, TOMS has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 pairs in south Africa , along with around 200,000 pairs elsewhare during the year of 2008, only through the purchases of caring customers.

"Changing a life begins with a single step"

"For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need."

"One for One"

"give me your love for humanity"

I came across this inspirational song by a Christian recording artist and it quickly affected me in a huge way, changing the way I see others and eventually encouraging the topic of my blog.

‘Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me your eyes so I can see’

‘Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work, he's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?’

‘Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see’

‘I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along’

Brandon Heath
"Give Me Your Eyes"

The following blog is emphasizing ways to help, serve, and give to the nations around the world through an organization called World Vision.

World Vision promises to "honor your generosity and use your donation in the most effective way possible. "

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

-By going to worldvision.com --> giving center --> gift catalog it takes a few simple steps to give a donation. If you want to donate a specific item (soccer ball, chicken, vaccinations, clean water, arts&crafts) the options are categorized in the gift catalog.

-Along with giving a money donation, you can sponsor a child for $30 a month. Without hassle, the money conveniently, and automatically, comes out of your account each month.
World Vision says that "as a child sponsor, you are connected with one special child who will know your name, write to you and feel your tender love and prayers. Your child sponsorship monthly pledge of $30 will provide a child with things such as: clean water, nutritious food, health care, educational opportunites, and spiritual nurture."

Because last week i mentioned a few organizations with a vision to benefit the underpriviledged around the nations, i decided to emphasize on each, starting with Invisible Children:

This organization focuses on the war in Uganda, which has been called the most neglected humanitarian crisis in the world today, leaving nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle. A young boy named Innocent walks into the city every night, rain or shine. Not free to sleep at home, he commutes in the darkness of night for fear of being abducted by the rebel army.

"White is for Innocent" is one of eight bracelets created through Invisible Children's Bracelet Campaign. Each bracelet is a different color, and each color represents an individual child. These colored bracelets come with an inspiring short film that provides awareness of the situation in Uganda. The bracelets are handmade in Uganda out of reed that is dyed black. The wire is copper, coated in rubber that is painted for each particular bracelet campaign. Once sold, the money raised helps sustain valuable programs on both sides of the globe.

It is a bracelet that comes full circle.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas :)

Searching for a Valentines Day gift? Donate money or buy a product in the name of your loved one, where the proceeds go to benefit others. With these presents, you're not only giving to the person you love, but your also helping someone in need!

Invisible Children
“Shop and make a difference in northern Uganda.”

$20 bracelet

Toms
“For every pair of shoes you purchase, Toms will give a pair to a child in need. One for One.”

$42-$68 shoes

World Vision
“Building a better world for children.”
$13 chicken
$75 goat
$20 malaria prevention-one family
$10 education fund
$16 two soccer balls or basketballs

what can we do to help?

In my blog im just going to raise awareness on different social injustice issues around the world, and TRY to give practical advice on ways to help out :)

More children, women and men are held in slavery right now than over the course of the entire trans-Atlantic slave trade: Millions toil in bondage, their work and even their bodies the property of an owner.

27 million people are still in slavery today.

Someone whos helping: Zach Hunter, a highschool student from Atlanta, started a group at his school called Loose Change to Loosen Chains. (LC2LC). It raises money to help free slaves form all over the world. The way they do that is by sending the money into International Justice Missions (IJM). With that money IJM goes to country’s like Cambodia, Laos Vietnam and other places in South-East Asia and goes to Brothels and other slave like places and investigates. “Loose Change to Loosen Chains,” or LC2LC, is a student-led campaign for students who use special LC2LC logoed cups to collect loose change from friends and family members. IJM will use the money to rescue victims of slavery and other forms of oppression.
Zach asked the question, “How do people in severe poverty know that God is good?” The only way they could know that is if God’s people share His goodness with those who have not experienced it.

we can go to dosomething.org to help or volunteer (: