International charities?

[Iluvfrenchquarter]

Our school administration (I'm a teacher) is encouraging us to involve our students in service projects this year.

I am interested in a charity with an international purpose that needs money. There is a candy store nearby that sells bulk candy that kids like. I buy the candy there and sell for 25 cents each. (Fun Dips, tootsie pops, etc.).

I'm thinking along the lines of something for girls' schools in Afghanistan, or rebuilding schools in Iraq.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

PS. Any charity we select needs to be non-religious afiliated, for obvious reasons.

 

[Tinks]

I would like to suggest Caring for Cambodia.

http://www.caringforcambodia.org/

 

[crazyme5kids]

Check out Physicians for Peace. Another one I like is American Friends Service Committee, but it is a Quaker based charity, so I guess it won't work for you. Look at the web site though and see if it might work.

 

[clh2]

What about Heifer International?

While I know you mentioned a couple of ideas...please let this be the student's project...not the students funding one of your projects. Doesn't mean they can't pick your project. OK - let me explain by example. One of my DD's 7th grade teachers was fond of the penguins (or was it pink flamingos) at our local zoo. The teacher made the particular animal the "service project" of their class. Since there was no involvement from the students in the choice, there was no pride or ownership in the project. The teacher constanly nagged the kids for money, the kids tuned her out. KWIM?

We (my family) is researching heifer, as my parents have sent each of my siblings an e-mail stating this is what they would like for a christmas present, since they are not in need of anything.

 

[Iluvfrenchquarter]

What about Heifer International?

While I know you mentioned a couple of ideas...please let this be the student's project...not the students funding one of your projects. Doesn't mean they can't pick your project. OK - let me explain by example. One of my DD's 7th grade teachers was fond of the penguins (or was it pink flamingos) at our local zoo. The teacher made the particular animal the "service project" of their class. Since there was no involvement from the students in the choice, there was no pride or ownership in the project. The teacher constanly nagged the kids for money, the kids tuned her out. KWIM?

We (my family) is researching heifer, as my parents have sent each of my siblings an e-mail stating this is what they would like for a christmas present, since they are not in need of anything.

I hear what you're saying. I talked about this to my kids today and asked them for suggestions. I told them I would make a decision by Friday, but would like them to take ownership. I would be more than happy to entertain all suggestions, and put all the appropriate ones (internationally-based, non-religious oriented) to a vote by all my students.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Another site to look at is RAWA.org. I don't think this one will fit the bill because it might sound too radical. I've seen a few speakers from the group, very interesting and informative.

 

[Mommymcgee]

You could organize a giving circle for the Gift of Adoption Fund. Their website is www.giftofadoption.org. Gift of Adoption helps orphans all over the world (and in the US) to be adopted by loving families. They are not affiliated with any religion. They could match your school with a specific child and family so your students could know exactly who their efforts are going to help.