Words Into Deeds: Engaging Students in Building Global Partnerships
These student-designed and implemented INFORMED ACTION PROJECTS were completed between 2000-2015. Links to PIC, videos, or published descriptions are provided. “UN” indicates projects highlighted in students’ presentations at the annual United Nations Student Leadership Conference.
International Service Projects (>$39,800 raised)
Adopt-a-Minefield ($1000)
China Orphans Fund ($100) UN
Duk Lost Boys Payal Clinic, South Sudan ($1,000)
Heifer International, Eastern Carpathia, Poland ($555) PIC
Maasai Good Salvage, Kenya, Africa ($5,550) UN PIC
A community based charitable organization dedicated to improving the living standards of villagers through education, mobilization of resources, community participation, appraisal, and capacity building. Working with community elders and through educational programs, preservation of traditional culture is balanced with campaigns against practices such as early child marriages, polygamy, and female genital mutilation.
Mizero Children of Rwanda ($3,000)
Founded by Jean Paul Samputu, this traveling group of Rwandan children ambassadors bring to international audiences a message of hope through native songs and dances. Funds raised help support a childrens’ school for the arts.
Ogoni Village School, Nigeria ($925 + 500 lbs school supplies) UN VIDEO
Pedro Leo Parroquin de San Jose Death Train for Child Migrants of Mexico ($500)
Seva Foundation, Gifts of Sight ($250)
Trees for Tanzania Micro-Economic Project ($800)
UN-Rotary Global Run for Water consortium, Uganda (aggregate $10,000)
UNICEF ($2,580)
UNICEF Voices of Youth Videos UN
UNIFAT Child Soldiers’ School, Gulu, Uganda ($1,300) UN PIC
The UNIFAT school provides a high standard of education to over 1300 children in Northern Uganda. The region has endured years of civil war and child abductions, hunger, poverty, AIDS and an outbreak of ebola. Many students are HIV-AIDS or civil war orphans, and are able to attend the school on scholarship. Despite a shortage of books and basic supplies, intermittent electricity, and limited funds for scholarships, the school is a place where teachers and students teach and learn and interact with respect, love and understanding for one another, helping each other understand the purpose of our lives together.
Walk for Water, Kapuki Elementary School, Juba, South Sudan ($12,050) UN PIC
An annual event to raise funds towards constructing a well to providing fresh water in close proximity to the school. This enables young girls to attend school rather than walk great distances to fetch water, often facing risk of attack.
Woman’s Community Project, Ecuador ($280)
Domestic and Local Service Projects: (>$27,600 + >5 tons supplies donated)
Adult Retardation Center of Monroe County ($300) PIC
ALS Association, NY Chapter ($100)
American Red Cross, Seneca County (blankets, 25 hand-made children’s quilts) PIC
Beverly Animal Shelter, Seneca Falls, NY ($2500 plus 260 lbs. supplies) PIC
Catholic Charities of Syracuse Refugees Fund ($800 + toys, clothes)
Cayuga Lake Watershed Essay Contests
Ecumenical Food Pantry, Ovid, NY ($5,500 + 10,000 lbs. food) UN PIC
Emanuel Episcopal Church Refugee Fund, Quakertown, PA ($300)
Farmworkers Rally for Equal Rights, Albany, NY LINK
First Responders of Interlaken, Ovid and Lodi, NY ($1500)
Habitat for Humanity, Seneca County ($10,570) PIC VIDEO
Hillside Children’s Center, Romulus, NY (recreation supplies)
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (clean-up project)
MYX Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (hand-made poetry, AIDS quilt)
Ovid Three-Bears Flag Day Celebration (student presentations)
Ovid Fire Victims’ Fund ($400)
Raising 1000 Voices: Video Production Workshop, WXXI, Rochester, NY
Red Book Shelf of Seneca Falls, NY (925 lbs. of books) PIC
Roxey Ballet, Multicultural ballet company, Lambertville, NJ ($2590) PIC
Rural Migrant Ministries, Lyons, NY ($300, personal care items)
Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes, Inc., Ontario, NY ($350 + 500 lbs. food and personal items)
Seneca County Backpack Program ($1,500 + food supplies for children)
Support Organization for Trisomy, Rochester, NY ($200)
Toys for Tots, Seneca Falls (annual contribution of toys, clothing, food)
Veterans Administration Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY (clothing and personal items for homeless veterans; $400 for Words Into Deeds etched on commemorative wall) PIC