A world we dare to imagine part 3

Team 229 is an existing non-Government Organization. Our primary mission is to bring joy to orphans by giving them special moments when other kids have family around. Most orphans in Benin have a very difficult life and abandoned by everybody. We chose Christmas a special moment for kids when they receive affection, love and gifts. I felt heart broken when I saw a documentary realized by a Canadian organization about orphans in Central Africa. I saw innocent ones very sad on a Christmas day. This scene was happening in a neighborhood where other kids were enjoying their gifts while orphans were sad. Loosing parents is generally a fatality in Africa, and children suffer for that because no one cares about them.  

I was looking for a way to give back to my community and I chose to help children in need to have at least once a year, a moment where they will have to enjoy their childhood. I co-founded Team 229 to give back this chance I had when I was a kid – spoiled by toys. The first event was called Christmas toy drive and we expanded this event to Easter which brings the frequency to two events in a year.

In my country giving back to the community is mostly for electoral purposes. I have no ambition in politics. Put a smile on vulnerable faces gives me a satisfaction that no wealth could bring.  I was lucky to have a bike for a year and the year after another toy. I trashed clothes in my life because I found them old. Growing around poverty made me realize that some people will be more than happy to have what I get rid of. I had this idea to collect anything valuable for these kids in need. I expose this idea while working in a Bank to my colleagues who brought me a lot of things: books, clothes, toys, even mattresses. My goal was to ask people’s help without them giving me money. This is what make my organization unique.

When I moved to the US, I realized how big this country is as a consumption society. I realized how people dispose the unwanted items. I will like to collect any valuables and put a smile on mores innocent faces. I solicit Anima Mundi Development Partner’s support to help us with the logistics to collect, store, and ship them to my country to be kid’s treasure.

A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE PART I

Donate your attention

There are countless orphans in my home country Benin, and I, too, have been around poverty throughout my life. To combat the seemingly endless cycle of despair, I co-founded a Non-Government Organization called “Team 229.” The purpose of the organization is to help orphanages by planning and sponsoring activities, such as Christmas toy drive. I want people to think twice before throwing away used books, toys, or clothes. From growing up in poverty in Benin, I have found the old adage to be true: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

I would like to extend this project to students not only at USC but to other campuses. It is my desire to see students helping children who need clothes, toys, or any other item. There are numerous items regularly discarded around the USC campus, and Team 229 could use these items to benefit a child in need. Additionally, I want to attract potential business women in Africa to invest in Team 229. This idea came from a study showing a growing number of successful business women in Africa. Allowing powerful women in Benin to donate to Team 229 will not only help the children in need, but it will also empower the successful business women to be leader in ending poverty and homelessness in Benin.

I also have in mind graduating students donate a little bit of their time to be pair with other students in Benin to mentor them, and exchange ideas. The purpose of this is to avoid people here to feel harassed, by asking them to give money. Just giving attention could make this world a better place to live.

Benin a real democracy in Africa

Good job Benin

Who could have imagined a fair election in an African country? Africans countries are known for a high corruption and fraudulent election system. Benin, this tiny country on the map, barely recognizable gave the example to dictators around the globe. The Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, highly favorable in “fake” polls called his challenger, to recognize his defeat. Waoooh this doesn’t sound African…

Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou said in a statement that results showed a clear victory for Patrice Talon. Our neighbors were amazed by this act. I read a comment from a Congolese lady saying “how is that possible a candidate calling to concede his defeat, not even a trouble in the country or people beaten to discourage others to protest, waoooh, good job Benin, I wish we could have the same here in Congo…”    

Patrice Talon sworn in as Benin’s new president Wednesday April 6, completing a peaceful transfer of power in the West African country. He also renewed a promise to step down after only one term.  Although Benin allows its leader to serve two terms, Talon voiced concern that 10 years in office may leave leaders complacent, and said he will work to limit future presidents to one term as well.

Benin is an oasis of stability and democracy in the troubled West African region, where most of its neighbors have struggled with coups, political unrest and the Boko Haram insurgency in recent years. I am so proud to witness this new era, which is a great start for a real development.  

Je suis Benin.

Growing a Farmer Part 2

Growing A farmer Part 2

Timmermeister teaches his reader’s to never give up on the American dream. He also highlights how that dream has changed, how he learned to be flexible and adapt as problems arose. The book is as much about the courage to pursue one’s dreams, as it is, a how-to of modern day farming. Timmermeister came up against fierce competition in the early days of his farm. He realized that selling produce at the local farmer’s market was a lot more difficult than it first seemed.

After suffering massive profit losses, Timmermeister carefully decided to pursue dairy farming instead. Presently, Timmermeister has a successful dairy farm that continues to goes from strength-to-strength. Growing a Farmer is a truly inspiring read that goes beyond the assumed narrative, and gives readers value, and food for thought.

Genuis of Money Chapter 13 Part 1: Money and the Modern Mind

Chapter 13 Part 1: Money and the Modern Mind

 

In Money and the Modern Mind, John Bloom dwells on the value of money in our lives. He says that money occupies a much bigger place in our consciousness than we would like to think (Bloom). Bloom points at the fact that people who tend to be generous and sympathetic are rare to be noticed, but still, he emphasizes, that the tendency is gradually turning to better (Bloom).

The author illustrates his hope for our better future with an example of a painter J. S. G. Boggs. He tells a story of how Boggs, having no money to pay for his food, paid in a restaurant by his painting - a perfect picture of a twenty-dollar bill. Bloom describes this as a perfect example of the painter's fight against the money system and argues that Boggs has turned the system against itself (Bloom).

Another example given by the author is from the fairy-tale "The Grave-Mound" by the Brothers Grimm. Here several characters are depicted, each of them with his own attitude to money and with his own inner fight. There is a wealthy farmer, a poor peasant, a soldier and the devil. In the end of the story, when the soldier has tricked a lot of gold from the devil and the peasant wants to take it, the soldier suggests giving it to the poor (Bloom). By these examples, Bloom shows people's dependence on or independence from money. 
  
I agree with the author that our society is, unfortunately, too much dependent on money. I would like the people to change their preferences, however, impossible it sounds. Indeed, there are things in this world much more valuable than money and which cannot be bought.

Genius of Money - Interview with Charles Terry

Interview with Charles Terry

In the interview with Charles Terry, John Bloom has a conversation with Charles Terry, who is a famous philanthropist and currently occupies the post of Terry-MacGregor Associates. Charles terry has dedicated many years of his life to the struggle of helping those in need. He recollects how at the beginning of his career in charity funds he had to overcome many difficulties and he tells about ho he decided to become a philanthropist. Terry says that his personal view on philanthropy is "love of humanity"( Bloom). He also explains how philanthropy can have transformed and released power over the people.

When asked about the money issue, Terry compares it with a natural resource that is necessary for the planet's existence. Terry is that if the money was accumulated properly and wisely, the planet would receive an outstanding benefit (Bloom).

When the author asks Terry why he thinks we have such situation with money, Terry answers that some people having a lot of money are simply afraid to part with it. He says that the money gives people illusionary security (Bloom). At the same time, he thinks that money is indeed powerful. however he warns, this power may be destructive if ill-used (Bloom).

Charles Terry's viewpoints are really impressive. I share his position about the necessity to think thoroughly about the ways of investing and using the money. I also like how he compares money to the natural resource and find his explanation of this point rather sufficient. I think if more people shared terry's ideas, our world would become a much better place to live.

Genius of Money Chapter 7 Part 2 : Culture - For the price of Admission

Chapter 7 Part 2: Culture - for the Price of Admission

In Culture - For the Price of Admission, John Bloom insists on the issue of purchasing tickets for cultural events as opposed to buying some goods or services. He claims that when one buys a ticket for a cultural event, he rather gets a right to be in some place and at some time than a warranty to receive pleasant emotions (Bloom).

Bloom emphasizes that unlike buying some item, while purchasing a ticket for a venue, the person does not receive anything material. He remarks that it is solely up to each individual to evaluate the quality of the performance and to decide whether their needs have been satisfied (Bloom).

Thus, as Bloom argues, from an economic point of view, when a person buys a ticket, he makes a contribution to the orchestra's (or other performance company's) development. As for the person's own benefit, it is not guaranteed that he will receive his money's worth. However, Bloom says that by buying tickets for cultural performances people support culture, which is extremely important (Bloom).

I think the author makes a good point in his approach to considering spending money on cultural events. I agree with him that it is necessary to support culture. I also support his idea that every person individually makes a choice as to whether the money spent was worth it or not. Even though purchasing a ticket may not guaranty any rights, but only a possibility to attend some kind of performance, it is still worth spending money on culture. In most cases, the emotions people receive are valuable. 



(Justin)

When buying a ticket to a specific performance or cultural event, we think about our purchase as a spectacle for us, not the ones who are playing or performing; however, this works as a reciprocal relationship. We, as fellow “show goers”, have to comprehend the simple give and take relationship of going to a cultural event or performance. Even though we go to events and concerts to see artists and performance that appeal to our interests, we are also go to provide an audience for the performer/artist. Without our physical representation or tickets, these talented and hard-working artists and performers would have no life at all. These fearless people who want to perform to show their passion to feelings need us to be there in order to make them feel that their hard word didn’t go to waste.