Posts Tagged ‘global outreach’

Leaving Grad School Is Made of Happy

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Ok, I’m joking about the title. 🙂 I stumbled upon a user on YouTube who took part in a challenge called Project For Awesome by Nerdfighters, which could only be made of awesome and perfect for this blog, so I naturally had to check it out.

There are a ton of Project for Awesome videos worth checking out, by the way.

The video I selected was one of the first ones I stumbled on. I have a lot of conflicted feelings on the nature & method of charity work abroad and particularly in the framing of the relationship between a first world nation and a third world nation (I don’t want to get political on this site, so please email me at gladmin@madeofhappy.com if you want to discuss this), but regardless of how I feel about any specific methods, I admire Sean’s conviction in deciding to change the course of his life by leaving grad school so that he can make a difference in other people’s lives. I have been looking for the full length video for the lecture that Dr. Jeffrey Sachs gave that Sean says inspired him, so if you know where I can find it, please leave me a comment. Thanks!

The Nerdfighters, Project for Awesome and Sean & his Uncultured Project are all made of happy and I am glad to have found them.

Retired WWII Veterans Who Make Toys For Children In War-Torn Countries Are Definitely Made of Happy

Friday, December 19th, 2008

I’m sorry my title is so long. But man, are these folks awesome or what?! 

“Toys for God’s Kids” is a non-profit organization that makes wooden toys, and sends them to children around the world.

To date, the group has made 148,000 toys and sent them to places like Afghanistan, Kenya and Colombia. U.S. soldiers also hand out the toys to kids in Iraq.

The Holly Creek Woodworkers, as they’re called, are mostly made up of World War II veterans, who know the dangers and consequences of war. They all live at the Holly Creek Retirement Community.

via Oct. 12, 2008: Holly Creek Woodworkers Make And Ship Toys To Children In War-Torn Nations – 7 Everyday Hero News Story – KMGH Denver.

The linked article has more information, as well as a little video of them making the toys. I am totally choked up. 

As an aside, I have to say that starting this blog has been so great for me. I feel like my faith in my fellow human beings has truly been renewed. There are so many good people out there.