By: Gryphon MacThoy
SCCC’s Atrium hosted the International Humanitarian Faire this last Thursday, May 19 2011. Do-Gooder organizations large and small gathered to inform students and staff about their work, and encourage anyone to join in. The event was sponsored by the Global Education Design Team and organized by Jeb Wyman. (Links to all of the organizations websites are at the end of this article.)
A large organization like Peace Corp had the same table space and audience as the smallest organization, which was a single author of a book about doing good for the world. Libuse Binder, author and Seattle resident, went on a personal journey to find a resource that would help her find out what kind of good she could do for the world. Finding that the world lacked such a resource, she created it in her book, “10 Ways to Change the World in Your 20s.” If you find yourself wanting to help the world but not knowing where to start, her book is a great resource. You can reach her via the Ten Ways website, linked below.
Sophia Ayele, Regional Recruiter for the Peace Corps here in Seattle, was on hand to present the classic and important Peace Corps message, “It’s what you do between college and career.” The application process for acceptance to the Peace Corps is competitive, and takes a year or more, so even if you are just at the end of your first year in college, now is the time to look into the Peace Corp and get your application in. Whether you want to go teach English as a Second Language or you are an engineer, the far-flung corners of the world await your expertise and passion.
Awamaki, started by SCCC’s own Kennedy Leavens, has a variety of opportunities to interact with an isolated village in Peru. You can go teach whatever you have to teach, such as yoga, a language, math, or crafting skills. You can go serve as a health care provider. And you can even go help the artisans of the village sell their handmade goods on the tourist market.
The International Children’s Network was on hand promoting Matsiko, the touring children’s choir. They were even handing out free DVDs and CDs of their exciting performances. A multi-facted charity organization, ICN is dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families in some of the poorest communities on Earth. (This reporter hopes the book a gig at the Broadway Performance Hall; my aunt would love this!)
Irene, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, was there representing the Red Cross. Her tales about her service with the Red Cross could fill a book or two. Jeb Wyman, the SCCC teacher who organized the event, reports that she was at the school to speak at a class and ended up at the Humanitarian Fair serendipitously.
Many other groups were on hand, both well known and new. All of the impassioned representation was informative, breathtaking, moving, inspiring. It is amazing what these people are already doing. Be a part of the adventure by following any (ALL!) of the links below:
http://www.global-visionaries.org
http://www.caringheartsinternational.org
http://www.seattle-habitat.org
http://www.seattleredcross.org
Response to the event by students was positive, with ~500 pamphlets handed out by some organizations, and a lot of emails and business cards exchanged by all. The Japanese Student Club was there with popcorn and drinks – they ran out before the event was over.
Jeb Wyman and the Global Education Design Team hope to repeat this event next year and are actively seeking those interested in helping. You can reach Jeb via email at jwyman@sccd.ctc.edu or see him in his office at BE4106j.
