I LIVE HERE!!!!!

Many of us wish we were more involved in charities and humanitarian efforts, and have our charities and foundations that speak to us. I am a little ashamed to admit that while I applaud anyone who takes part in humanitarian efforts, I’m not entirely an active participant myself.



I am not here today to ask you to donate; I would just like to share a little story about one project that speaks to me.

 

Two weeks ago today, Sunday the 27th of June 2010, some wonderful friends of mine, Jess Gilbert and Mickey Teague of Maroochydore, Australia, came together with two other friends, Lahnee Thomas and Pablo Pavlovich, to host Australia’s first fundraiser for the ‘I live here’ projects.

 

I first heard of Jess and Mickey’s involvement with this grass-roots organisation last year a when the girls requested that instead of presents or money for their birthdays they hoped their friends would donate $25 (or whatever we could afford) to the projects instead. I was moved by this act of generosity and I donated. I believe the girls had quite a few friends donating and the total was over $300.00.

Later in the year, I donated to the projects again, and received a hand-written, snail-mail letter from the project’s founders from America! I was so touched they had taken the time to write to me, and thank me for donating.


From the letter:

“...our permaculture project is thriving, giving the kids the much needed nutrition and education about permaculture... we think that this is thanks to your kindness... each day is new and full of little victories that make this project so valuable. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Judy, Erica & Mia. ILH team.”

The ‘I live here’ projects are a non-profit, grass-roots organisation aiming to work with communities to develop sustainable futures by looking at six aspects of livelihood:


1) Health
2) Education
3) Art
4) Permaculture
5) Nutrition
6) Legal rights


(Source: http://www.i-live-here.com/ILH_MISSION_STATEMENT_AND_DESCRIPTION.pdf)


Put simply: “I LIVE HERE believes in the power of individual expression to transform the lives of people living in the most extreme situations of poverty and isolation.” (Courtesy of Mikarla Teague’s Facebook page)


ILH recently held a “Global Day of Action = host your own event or fundraiser” on the 27th of June 2010.

It was this call out that my generous friends responded to. This was an opportunity for them to be a part of something great, to bring awareness of the organisation to Australians. I was unable to attend, but donated to the event instead.



Today, I have with me Mikarla Teague, of the fantastic foursome that hosted “INTO AFRICA”, the first ever Australian fundraiser for the “I live here” foundation.


Welcome Mickey!

The event was held two Sunday's ago, how did it go? What were the highlights of the event?



The Event was a truly magical night, it went really well! We only had a little over 4 weeks to prepare, and we were quite apprehensive right up until the last week, we were unsure how it would be perceived and who would turn up. We had only sold about 4 tickets up until the last week, which belonged to our mum’s which was embarrassing! (Laughs) But seriously, the event was a huge success, we reached all our goals. undoubtedly the highlights of the night was the performances by Gianne Abbott (So you think you can dance) Charice Bottcher and Mathew Mc Dowell, we wanted to incorporate I Live Here’s values into the night, so art and self expression was contributed by these incredible performers.

How did you find out about ILH?


I’ve always been involved in Humanitarian Aid charities, but was constantly disappointed by the lack of genuine aid they provided, I literally stumbled upon I Live Here online and was instantly drawn to its energy, I donated $25 on the spot. After over a year of volunteering to this day I can’t explain why I was so attracted to it, but everything ILH stands for I believe in, it’s so different; the fact its grassroots, and does the work that no other organisations even touches on, the massive heart that goes into its projects, its humble, raw, beautiful and genuine.


What drew you to becoming involved?


Something had to be done about these tragedies of the displaced that are occurring right before our eyes right now on every continent, and I Live Here was onto a good thing, they were bringing attention to this; although its merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these stories and there is so much more yet to be done, I liked their ideas, their passion, and the fact that they were “doing” not “wanting to do”. And most of all they were daring enough to carry out these projects even when others say it’s impossible, I fell in love with that boldness. Boldness creates change.


What could $300.00 do for the projects?


That’s an incredible amount to donate. Predominantly current donations go towards I Live Here’s art program and work in Malawi. But ILH has also has a few other projects in play at the moment, fore mostly the overhaul of Kachere Juvenile Prison in Malawi, that kind of donation could go to any aspect of maintaining aid, whether it be towards the teacher’s salary, stationary materials for the boys, health and sanitation, maintaining the permaculture garden etc ILH is also currently starting an online medium called the ILH America Project, where people can jump online and share their stories, it will be an incredible online community of support. Also ILH is now also building a site for Gay, Bi and Trans gendered Malawians to share their experiences, this in order to humanize their lives, in order to see much needed legal reform.


How have your own efforts been received by the founders?


I don’t really know, I‘ve never really talked about it with any of them! I’m sure they are extremely surprised by my involvement, I‘m sure it’s strange and exciting for them, some random person down under rallying for I Live Here. I mainly communicate with Erica Soloman the director of Education for I Live Here, she’s incredible. Always so supportive, grateful and excited about which directions I’m taking with my involvement, and always happy to hear how things are going and always there to help in any way possible. There’s a nice connection and trust with the ILH team I think, we all have a key purpose in common after all.


How would you describe the efforts of the organisation?


Good question. I Live Here’s efforts from my point of view of course, are definitely somewhat of love and pure compassion. They use the power of individual expression to transform the lives of people living in extreme poverty and isolation. Working with global partners the projects are based around art, permaculture and education, components not many organisations utilize to inspire the global community to create change and take action. Their efforts are pure, honest and bold, I really encourage more people to join and get involved, there are so many stories to be told.


What makes ILH different from other projects?


Predominantly I Live Here is grassroots, so it doesn’t have a lot of the resources and major marketing that larger organisations have; they rely exclusively on individual fundraising and awareness. And they are touching on issues that other organisations refuse or ignore, ultimately I Live Here’s unique and humble, and making incredible developments and change in communities.


Are there any more events in the works for the Australian Ambassadors?


My next independent goal is to raise mass awareness for I Live Here. I’m going to create something daring and outrageous. It’s basically “online art”, a form individual expression. I’m setting up a facebook group; as this has the potential to reach millions, it’ll be called “a picture tells a thousand stories; globally united for I Live Here”. It’ll be an online “medium” where individuals can add a photograph of themselves holding a card or piece of paper handwritten with “I Live Here” on it, and what country they are from. It’ll be a unified collection of photographs in support of I Live Here from around the world. These kind of ventures inspire people to get involved, they get people talking, all in the name of raising awareness. I hope it’ll be beautiful and inspiring to many. Watch this space.


Any other aspect of the foundation you would like to highlight?


I would just like to add, the founder and partners of I Live Here Mia Kirshner, Erica Soloman and Judy Battaligia don’t get enough recognition for their incredible passion and endless hours they put into the foundation and its projects. These guys are such strong, amazing, everyday individuals giving their valuable time to a bold cause to better humanity. They are inspirational and divine.


I encourage everyone to get involved with I Live Here and support them, join the cause on facebook, spread the word or donate.


Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something
http://www.i-live-here.com/




Well, Thank-you Mikarla for coming by and telling us about the efforts of the projects. What a great motto for all of us: “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” Brilliant and inspiring words.


“I Live Here” have a fantastic website, http://www.i-live-here.com/


As well as twitter, facebook and a blog.


Thanks for stopping by and reading my story about this foundation.


As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I’m not here to preach, nor get you to donate HOWEVER! If you have been moved by this post, please retweet to spread the word, click the links to find out more information, and I even have a little challenge- maybe blog about YOUR favourite charity or organisation.


Link back to this post and let’s spread the word about how EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS and how we can all get involved somehow or another.


Have a sunshiny day!!!