This summer instead of walking in someone else’s shoes, walk beside them immersing yourself into their culture and life. Make a difference and embrace a new culture this summer on our Crossing Borders trips to Cali or Medellin. Learn more about our trips at our info session this Wednesday, March 30th at 7:20 in Rinker 210 at the University of Florida. Spots still available.
Greetings Supporters and Zumba enthusiast. The location for Sunday’s Zumbathon has changed! It will now be held at The Vault in downtown Gainesville. Be sure to Zumba your way there. Doors open at 11!
-CBOB
Do you feel you have the skills and passion to make the world a better place? If so, CBOB wants you! Join our VIP Program.
Our current interns now want to pass this opportunity on to you. We’re looking for interns who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of others and in their own lives today, in order to create a better tomorrow for us all. Our VIP Program gives you a true hands-on experience of the non-profit world. This is not you’re “administrative duties included” type of internship. This is about being immersed in the process of making a global impact. Learn how intertwined, necessary and powerful communications can be, or learn about the heart and effort it takes to fund-raise for non-profits and their programs, or help us outreach to our communities in Gainesville, the Gator Nation, and over-seas in Colombia, or learn how to create educational tools that will inspire and create confidence in the youth we serve. Our past interns have gone on to Teach For America, to the Peace Corp, to working on Capital Hill. And that’s just a few! The opportunities and the knowledge you’ll gain are endless. Jose, one of our incredible recipients of our “I AM CBOB” scholarship program, said,“All buildings start from the ground.” VIP is that foundation. Be apart of it and help CBOB continue to grow. To apply for our VIP Program today and find out more, like the requirements and expectations, visit our web site www.chbob.org.
Our supporters and volunteers make it possible for Children Beyond Our Borders to do what we love- empowering and educating children and youth. We recently launched a successful on-line fundraising campaign through MyEdu. This educational on-line community provides services for students heading or attending college and their parents. They also work closely with non-profit organizations, by providing fund-raising efforts. For every person that registers with them through the organization’s link, (http://www.myedu.com/free/CBOB), MyEdu donate a $1 to the organization. During the month of February we raised $188. That’s more than HALF the cost of the $250 tuition to send ONE of our “I AM CBOB” scholarship recipients to college in Colombia. We are now steps closer to sending Jose, Erick, or Yosmir to college. In March we have more efforts to raise the funds to send them off to college.
On March 27th, our University of Florida Chapter is bringing rhythm, exercise, and fun to Gainesville by holding CBOB’s First Ever Zumbathon. All the proceeds will be going to the youth’s education funds. Making a brighter future possible for them is incredibly important to all of us and their desire to learn is contagious. It is more than just attending college for them; it’s about building a future and giving back to their communities,spreading the light of inspiration. To purchase tickets for the Zumbathon, our student chapter has made it easy for you to do. Visit the event’s website at http://ufzumbathon2011.wordpress.com/ and purchase your individual or group tickets here. You have until the 26th! Get on it and Zumba the day away for a great cause!
Children Beyond Our Borders would like to thank our supporters for their dedication to our programs. If you’re interested in becoming a supporter, volunteer, or in spreading the love check out our website www.chbob.org. If you have any questions e-mail info@chbob.org .
Remember LOVE has no borders, nor should EDUCATION.
As more devastating news about the natural disaster that hit Japan reaches us, we here at CBOB are reminded of the importance of seeing the world’s population as one global community. In our line of work, we often come in contact with people who ask us “Why should we help people globally when there are problems here in our own country?”
On days like today, when we are confronted with human suffering, it’s easy to ignore race, ethnicity, and background and see people simply as people. It has always been our belief here at CBOB that love has no borders, and hope that it doesn’t take an earthquake, flood, or fire to remind us all that there are needy people all over the world.
So we challenge you to be inspired to help everyday, not just in the face of disaster, and reach out to those who need it both near and far. It’s time we all realize that we are members of one world, one global community, and when we work together there are no borders or barriers that can stop us from reaching a brighter and more prosperous future.
Safe and Happy Travels Volunteers!
The time has finally arrived! We are so excited to announce that CBOB’s first ever Spring Break Crossing Borders Trips have finally taken off! Two groups of amazing volunteers have departed to Medellin and Cartagena, Colombia on a journey of a lifetime. These two groups of volunteers will be spending their Spring Breaks getting to know each other, our youth, and themselves as well. This experience serves with a two-fold purpose; to empower bright, local youth, and it provides the opportunity for volunteers to develop their natural leadership abilities and positively impact a community.
These volunteers are about to immerse themselves into the beauty of Colombian culture and into the lives of some of the most amazing children and youth you could ever meet. What lies ahead of them is an intense, interactive week of leading workshops and providing educational tools to internally displaced and at-risk kids youth. CBOB and our supporters work to make a brighter today for these kids, so they can take these tools to build their own great futures tomorrow. In addition to workshops, our volunteers will also offer support, love, guidance, and mentoring to children and youth whom have few opportunities to succeed in their communities. We want to thank our volunteers for their passion and determination. We are all anxiously awaiting their return, and cannot wait to see and hear about their experiences!
“Peace is a culture that we create by putting it in the curriculum for young people, through creating this next generation where young people get a chance to go across borders, across cultures, to teach more about each other’s life, to create a global community, learn about opportunities for helping others. It’s investing in peace and tolerance training, ending the gap between rich and poor”.
—Craig Kielburger
The video above is courtesy of CBOB’s Cartagena Crossing Borders Alumni, J.R. Miller.
Cartagena, Colombia
Picture taken by Katalina Padilla.
Submitted by designyouruniverse
Crossing Borders can take you there. Visit www.chbob.org
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
-Martin Luther King
Here at CBOB we look to Dr. King as a role model on how to serve our fellow man. He didn’t make his choices based on what was easy. He based his choices on what was right, and selfless committed himself to fighting injustice and equality. His passion for justice inspires us everyday, and we hope he’d see the work we do as a way of making his dream a reality. We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to make a difference in this world. On this day of service, we remember that we should try to help others every day. Help us help those suffering from injustice, especially the youth, in Colombia.
If you have any questions on how to help or support please ASK here, or check out our web site, http://chbob.org/ , to find out information.
-CBOB
29 November 2010 Last updated at 02:50 ET
This year’s UN climate summit has opened in Mexico, with expectations of significant progress generally low.
In contrast to last year’s summit in Copenhagen, there is a general belief that no new global deal will emerge.
The basic divisions are as stark as ever, and some nations and observers are arguing that smaller, less formal pacts are the way forward.
However, countries appear to want the UN process to survive, so major public disputes are unlikely.
Another contrast to Copenhagen is that very few heads of state or government are expected to attend.
The summit takes place against the backdrop of forecasts that carbon emissions are set to start rising again after a brief interlude from the recession, and analyses showing that countries’ current pledges are not big enough to keep the global average temperature rise within bounds that most nations say they want.
On Friday, former UK deputy prime minister Lord Prescott - who led the UK delegation to the 1997 climate summit that agreed the Kyoto Protocol, and played a key role in negotiations there - called for governments to acknowledge that the UN process is failing.
“The legal framework is falling apart. Let us be practical, recognise that it has happened, and go for an alternative,” he said.
“Each country is still trying to cut carbon emissions in its own way - the US has a programme, the EU has a programme, China has a programme.
“Let each of them go ahead voluntarily… but let’s at least agree on a few basics of fairness and transparency.”
However, this approach is diametrically opposed to the stance taken by some developing countries, which insist that Western nations must live up to promises they have made at key points along the UN route that began in 1992 at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.
This stance is echoed by most environmental organisations, which see the UN framework as the only way of providing a comprehensive raft of solutions to the issues posed by climate change.
“Only an equitable, comprehensive and legally binding agreement will bring the much needed international commitment to manage the climate crisis,” said Stewart Maginnis, director of environment and development with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“What governments should focus on in Cancun is ensuring that confidence in the UNFCCC (climate convention) process is rebuilt, which will bring us a step closer to that final deal.”
Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11847084 to continue reading this article.
Come out and help support the CBOB Student Chapter Thursday, November 3 in our first screening of the documentary “La Sierra” which explores the lives of 3 people affected by war. Documentary will be shown in Rinker Hall rooms 210 and 215 at 7:30pm.
From our former Country Manager Afiyah Thomas! Check out the rest of her blog at http://mswannabeworldtraveler.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-share-same-moon.html
Tonight, the moon looks spectacular in the foggy evening sky. It glows softly, but beautifully, its subtle light perfectly framed by tree branches that seem to reach up to the clouds above. What is so amazing about this scene, apart from the beauty of nature itself, is that we share the same moon. Literally. Any other person in this world that is also experiencing nighttime, can look up at the same heavens above, and lay their eyes on the same, resplendent moon. Because, we share the same moon.
We Share the Same Moon
Specifically however, the thought came to me of the young lady that I am so honored to mentor through Children Beyond Our Border’s New Horizons Pilot Program. There’s only a one hour time difference between where she is in Colombia, and where I am in the U.S. I can’t help but wonder: Has she looked up at the moon this evening? What does it look like from her end? Does she also think it’s beautiful? What is she thinking right now? What is she doing? Is she well? Does she feel peace and comfort the way I do in this very moment? I hope so.
Boy do I miss Colombia, and all the wonderful people that I had to say farewell to in Medellín. I still remember my last 2 weeks there, it was tough. I cried so much, I’m sure I cried a river. I cried walking down the street. I cried on the bus. I cried on the metro. I cried as I wrapped up my last outings and activities with the kids. I cried while packing. Did I mention that I cried?
So although I am no longer physically present in that beautiful land of such sharp contrasts, I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue my connection there in the most meaningful way. I am honored to be a mentor. Will I do a good job? What does that look like anyway? Can I be a good friend to her? Will our mentor-mentee connection be as meaningful and valuable for her as I hope?
One day, months, maybe even years down the road, I hope to revisit this note and be able to answer and emphatic “yes” to those last questions. We shall see…
In October, Angelica Suarez (founder of Children Beyond Our Borders) recently visited learning disabled students at one of Gainesville’s local charter schools, Einstein Montessori. Einstein Montessori ranges from 2nd-8th grade classes, and as this month was Hispanic Heritage Month the students were learning more about culture, diversity, and philanthropy within the local community and abroad. Suarez gave riveting speeches to the 7th and 8th grade Social Studies class. Students were not just simply moved, but stirred with passion and innovative ideas on how to truly make a difference in the lives of the youth whom we work with. The students sat through emotional recollections of Suarez’s experiences and stories of the youth that she has come across in Medellin, Colombia when traveling on Crossing Borders trips. Such stories, not only moved the children, but also the teachers present during the class discussions. The 7th and 8th grade students at Einstein took it upon themselves to organize a school-wide supply drive, collecting gently used clothes, new school supplies, and shoes. The students dedicated some of their time to creating cards to establish a truly heartfelt relationship with the youth they were exposed to in the 45 minute discussion. Children Beyond Our Borders has no borders, therefore we focus on how the proper education truly does make a difference in not only displaced youths lives, but also in the lives of our youth right around the corner. Take the time to find out how CBOB is involved in local projects with not just Einstein Montessori, but also Libros de Familia, Boys and Girls Club and Eastside High School!
