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