Three years ago today, a dream was born
The unsuspecting weekend of March 4, 2006 held the conception of the non-profit organization ACCESS Charity, three eventful years ago.
Since the initial presentation about the Dominican Republic Exposure Trip at a Brampton church was followed by a collection of over $8,000 three years ago, ACCESS has developed into an active youth-run organization. (Full text from the initial presentation can be read online here.)
In light of their unofficial third anniversary, ACCESS is releasing a 2-minute promotional video.
The video, embedded below, was created by Heads or Tails and tells a brief story about the organization and its roots.
If you cannot see it below, please click here to view the new promotional video.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4h-pEv4BR8]
ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc. was officially incorporated in the province of Ontario on May 28, 2008. For details on this non-profit status, click here.
Today, ACCESS continues to expand both its international education and local youth involvement projects. ACCESS strives to provide children in the developing world with school uniforms and supplies, giving them the opportunity to obtain an education and successful future. ACCESS also aims to educate youth across North America about relevant issues, youth activism, and about the current situation in the developing world.
ACCESS offers a variety of local programs including Educator Resources, Educational Presentations, Speak Up for Change Youth Blog and Volunteer Opportunities along with international development projects including a Haitian student's university fund, School Supply Drives for Honduran students, and more.
To receive future ACCESS Email Updates, visit www.accesscharity.ca/subscribe.
For media inquiries, email kody@accesscharity.ca. Please contact us here for general inquiries.
Life in the Bateyes - A Bittersweet Existence
It is estimated that about 500,000 to 1.000,000 Haitian emigrants are currently living and working in the Dominican Republic. Most toil in sugarcane fields and live in communities called Bateyes, in conditions that have changed little since slavery was legal.
This short documentary sheds light on the life and living conditions endured by those who live at the margin of society.
http://current.com/e/88838298/en_US
Want a Revolution? Just get out there and Change the World
After reading Leaving Microsoft to Change the World during March Break this year, I became even more inspired to get out there and do something to change the world. The book is by a former Microsoft executive named John Wood, who left a very promising career track to form a charity called Room to Read at age 35.
Wood's charity helps thousands of children across the developing world break the cycle of poverty through the power of education. This is exactly the type of thing I feel so strongly about, and is the main cause of ACCESS.
What’s interesting is that both Wood and myself were inspired by first-hand experiences in the developing world. I went on a high-school exposure trip to the Dominican Republic, and Wood went to Nepal – originally just as a getaway from his stressful job – but made a promise to the impoverished people he met that he would one day come back with books. And, he did, and has now opened hundreds of schools and thousands of libraries in the developing world.
Still, some people say there are too many charities and non-profits already. But I believe it’s not about the format or structure of how good work is being done, it’s about the fact that everyone needs to do his or her share.
People say they want a revolution. Well, it all starts with you. There are plenty of problems in the world today... climate change, terrorism, war, poverty, disease, economic disparity, hopelessness and more. But you can do something. Here’s what I learned from Leaving Microsoft to Change the World about this:
Don’t spend too much time thinking about it – just dive in.
Yes, there are things in our way like student loans that need to be repaid, previous career commitments, advice from advice from family and friends, the need to write a serious plan of action… Take care of these things, but don’t loose momentum getting through all these obstacles! As with John Wood, people will talk you out of pursuing your dream. Too many people will tell you why something might not work. Stop yourself from thinking, “I don’t live there, it’s not my problem”.
So, when all you’re thinking about is getting through University and hitting it big as a high-powered executive or owning a successful business, just think of those who have made charitable activities and causes a major part of their daily lives, including the most successful business people such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Wood had to make many sacrifices from his high-class life, like downgrading his condo and firing his personal driver, but doing good work for the world has got him on the Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Fox News, National Geographic TV, Time Magazine, Forbes, the New York Times, and many more!
Success isn’t defined by how much money you make. It’s about what you do with your time and money that makes your life worthwhile.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world!" - Gandhi