Hey all...so I haven't blogged in awhile mainly because I was busy with this project, Free Hugs for Darfur. I took the idea from the original video on Youtube and added a social twist to it. Anyways we had tables with information and we were collecting money and it was a really great experience. Best of all it is really simple to do in your town. I know most high schoolers NEED community service hours so if you just talk to kids at high schools they will volunteer most likely. Anyways its really simple and fun to do if you have any questions send me a message. Below I added a break down, if you are interested in doing this in your town let me know and i'll help out.
Here is the link to my Youtube video from this experience. Please check it out, I think you all will like it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HCekZY4H3r8
Contact: Find a place in your city where there is one, a lot of foot traffic and two, a wide variety of people. Malls require more work/time because they are such big companies but they are probably best. Maybe a movie theater on opening night of a big show, basically you need to find what works best in your city.
Recruit: You need to now get some volunteers. High schools/colleges are where you should start. I’d say that for every 1,000 people you hope to encounter you should have ten “huggers.” Remember not everyone is going to hug so the more times they see people the more encouraged they will be. Make sure you have some people well educated on Darfur who can work the tables. I had around twenty people total. (hugging and tables)
Event: Ok this is where it gets complicated and more “unique.” You need to judge your manpower and resources so that you get the best result. Most people will be hugging so they will need FREE HUGS signs that you will probably have to make. However for every table with information you plan on having at least two people should be working there. Now what goes on the table? You need to keep it easy to read and with not too many words. I broke it up like this…divide the table into thirds. Part 1 has two maps, one of Africa and one of Sudan with Darfur highlighted. (can get of internet) Part 2 has information…I made a timeline with important events since 2000, this takes research by you mainly. Also I had a list of number of people killed, displaced, kidnapped and raped. Lastly I had a list of sites where people could go and find more information ( www.savedarfur.org) This is supposed to be things that one person can do, individualizing each visit you get.
Have a nice day and good to be back.
T
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I absolutely loved that. It brought tears to my eyes. I would love to hear more about the project. You should consider writing a more in depth piece about it that people can pass on should they decide to take up the idea.
Welcome back dear!
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle
"No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong." Francois De La Rochefoucauld
I feel like Fallon gave this a vote of 5, and then someone came in and gave it a 1 :-| to make it a 3. So I gave it a 5 as well, why? Because it deserves it, if I learn how to catch the people who just love to knock everyone out by giving them ones, there might be a lot of people not wanting to be on this site anymore, owell.
Anyways, you should take this to a news station to have them display it on television, so it can take more of an affect on everyone.
GOOD JOB.
"All people are smart,
but it is up to them to figure that out."
-ME
Yep. I gave it a five because it deserved it. Anyone that gets out and does something instead of sitting around griping about them and then shares those experiences for others is deserving of high marks in my book.
And I hate when people give something a 1 just for the hell of it. You'll have a post in the highest rated that has gotten nothing but 4's or 5's and then someone comes in a gives it a 1 for no real reason. Absolutely infuriating and totally unfair to the bloggers who deserve the high marks.
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle
"No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong." Francois De La Rochefoucauld
Even though I didn't comment I noticed that too. I was like "why is it a 3 thats a great post" so I rated it a 5 also :)
I wish people would give reasons for low ratings if it's not obvious, like if somene gets a 1 for horrible spelling and a bad blog altogether it's obvious, but posts like this aren't.
Usually blogs about Africa period don't get as many reads so I was happy this was a high rated post AND it made the front page with many comments.
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See my blog and I'll love you forever! Or at least temporarily: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
Definitely write a more in-depth piece about this. I love the original Hugs Campaign video, and while I can't watch your movie right now due to filters on the work computers...I'm sure it's sweet.
I've been thinking about doing something like this for my sorority chapter's philanthropy event...so write a longer post and help a sister out! :)
~ KJ
"For it is not for honor, or glory, or riches that we fight, but for freedom only, which no good man surrenders but with his life." - Robert the Bruce
"I made a timeline with important events since 2000, this takes research by you mainly. Also I had a list of number of people killed, displaced, kidnapped and raped. Lastly I had a list of sites where people could go and find more information"
Do you still have the information you researched? You could put your name on it (Research provided by ____) and upload it to your post as an attachment.
Just a suggestion as so many are not good at research!
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle
"No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong." Francois De La Rochefoucauld
Some girl at my school did the same thing. I kinda felt like it was degrading the original "free hugs" campaign's message of love for love's sake, but w/e. If it works. Darfur - love the topic. It's the perfect proof that we don't care about foreign countries and their citizenry's well-being until we have an ecomonic interest in them. Makes you wish the U.N. had an army other than ours.
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Oh, also: does anybody know the name of the song that plays during the dogfight scene of Cowboy Bebop, The Movie?
If so, please let me know @ gatorrelay251@gmail.com
Best movie EVER. Maybe. Definitely best Anime to hit the U.S.