Phase 2 Letters Launch
Join us and see how a bit of your wisdom can motivate kids around the world!
Direct human communication remains a key ingredient in exposing all children to the idea of feeling connected to the world at large while understanding how to cultivate the courage to stand alone. With your contribution of a single hand-written letter of personal encouragement you have the power to influence a child’s life. There is no separation between a child in your country, a child on a different continent and your own lingering inner-child. There are only man–made barriers, physical and mental that we build between us.
We know there are children in the world living each cherished moment stricken by life threatening illness that dictates their short lives and the lives of their care-takers. There is not time to focus on sustainable philosophies for living. There are many children who still need guidance in creating these principles. Trust that over time the sustainability of their conscious choices, will prove them to be responsible, loving and productive citizens of global society. Let them hear your truth.
This simple effort of your cherished notes of inspiration will be hand delivered to Zambia, Africa in April 2008 to Phase II recipient Chimozo Community School, housing 350 students’ grades 1st – 7th. This School was built by Q Fund 4 Aids www.qfund4aids.org, ensuring opportunity to some of our future leaders, children orphaned to aids. We launched in December 2007 with letters from North America to the “Final Feliz Project” in Rio de Janeiro, RJ which aids impoverished children in Brazil. We welcome Ambassadors from throughout the world to share their gifts of insight. Feel free to write in your native language as your international letter will be translated by us. We have the power to reach children everywhere through this simple effortless act. Tell the children what inspires you and let them sleep with your inspiration as a tool for life.
We kindly request
your submissions by April 1st, 2008.
Submit to: Taj - P.O. Box A3153 Chicago, Illinois 60690 U.S.A. 312.671.3009
Become an Ambassador!
Phase 1 Letters Launch
“A global mentoring division of ZaZalove”
Every child deserves an opportunity to grow up and discover their own unique gifts and use them to be of service to humanity and nature. The expression “it takes a village to raise a child” has only expanded in today’s fast paced global society. Now it is imperative that this network of support extend across the continents in order to feel human connection in an age of hands off technology. Conscious choice making is a significant lesson to learn. Understanding what it means to include yourself among the people that you love and to be gracious as you are grateful for whom you choose to be, all lessons to be shared. Direct human communication remains a key ingredient in exposing all children to the idea of feeling connected to the world at large while understanding how to cultivate the courage to stand alone. Today’s universal child must be taught the duality of human existence that differentiates between the characteristics of heroism and cowardice. For all to understand these dynamic principles, breeds like-mindedness. Over time this will prove to have a positive effect as these same children grow up to become conscious, responsible and globally aware contributing citizens of society throughout the world.
What is the “Dreams Can Be Foundation”?
Dreams Can Be Foundation supports programs and NGO’s both small and large that work directly with children in the neediest urban communities in Brazil. We work with existing programs that offer street children and impoverished youth activities that educate, teach discipline and offer opportunities for peer-interaction, increased self-awareness, the cultivation of self –esteem and exposure to life skills, which aid the participants in becoming responsible and happy citizens. We work in partnership with grassroots organizations and community-based groups who have been screened and evaluated and have the ability to follow a strict criteria for working with us. We assist these organizations in various ways. We evaluate their financial needs and write grant proposals to American and Brazilian funders on their behalf and we assist the larger programs with better resources to understand this process. We work directly with organizations to develop or improve their internal business structures, leading them to be more efficient, organized, transparent and self sufficient. In addition, we promote and facilitate collaboration with peers in order to effect systemic change and promote stability and growth within their individual organizations. We are also committed to creating change in the area of individual philanthropy in Brazil. Through this commitment we aim to raise awareness of the value and abilities of children from low-income communities and remove existing barriers in order to offer them access to better education, more life opportunities and improved advocacy on their behalf. www.dreamscanbe.org
What is the “ Letters Campaign”?
It’s a simple concept that how sometimes a few words of unexpected wisdom and encouragement may be the source of dramatic positive change and confirmation. This gifted resource has the power of being instrumental in instantly shifting a mind-set and reinforcing a positive self -awareness. My motivation for the campaign is born out of responsible service, belief in the concept and being a living example, not out of egoism and a need to stand in the spotlight.
What made you choose “Dreams Can Be” as the focus for launching the Letters Campaign”?
After being introduced, over time I realized how this theme of connection, that is the central focus of my work already, could someday expand to be impactful on a larger scale. We know there are children in the world living each cherished moment stricken by life threatening illness that dictates their short lives and the lives of their care-takers. There is not time to focus on sustainable philosophies for living. There are children that grow up healthy and well-adjusted in low-income environments and remain there as noble citizens, receiving and giving tremendous love and support. There are also children who grow up in low-income environments that need direction to instill guiding principles that make them accountable citizen of the village and beyond. Each soul is important.
Being a child from a low-income existence with very few immediate role models, I have always wanted to find a way to have other children know that they are not alone in every plight. In no way am I attempting to compare this circumstance to a child who losses their parents, it is simply my experience. I looked to television for my role models and I say with no disrespect that having not experienced the completeness of motherly love and witnessing violence in my home, I looked to others to fulfill the parental roles as well. I do know that it has surprisingly been just a few words of wisdom and encouragement from others I did not know that actually instilled a since of worthiness within me as a child.
As a toddler through early childhood, adults had to pry melted bits of candy from my fists after I was asleep as I would hoard the sweetness of something savory and would not risk letting it out of my sight. As an adolescent, fists of candy evolved into notes on napkins, things I had heard or read that I found promising and helped me to cope when things were rough around me. In reflection, candy and napkins were symbolic. I somehow understood on a subliminal level, that it was possible to be loved and supported. As a loner in my adult life, in my darkest hours I still remember those words and they bridge me to a balanced state of mind. I once heard the expression “we teach what we need to learn”.
As
an American, why do you concentrate your efforts to benefit an organization
on
a different continent?
Throughout my career I have always worked with children from different walks of life here in America. This is an organic transition with the ultimate goal of putting children everywhere in contact with each other in my own way. I’m not trying to take claim the weight of the world on my shoulders by such a nominal effort, nor am I trying to prove a point. I just know that together we can make this simplicity happen quickly and effortlessly and move forward to the next phase. In America we have multiple avenues for assisting in enhancing the quality of life for children more than any other country.
Why
did you choose “Final Feliz Project” specifically as the
catalyst for the launch of “ Letters Campaign”?
I grew up feeling like an only child and always thinking that I missed certain key elements of support in that experience. Having traveled extensively as an adult I remembered going into a tiny classroom in Bahia, Brazil and realizing that the needs of children are simple and the exact same everywhere. There is no separation between a child in America, a child on a different continent and my own lingering inner-child. There are only man–made barriers, physical and mental that we build between us.
I am you, you are me and we are one. “Final Feliz” speaks to me, and my intuition and my heart tell me that this is where it starts.
How can a child receiving a letter from a foreigner create a connection?
Sometimes remembering the positive words from a strange can have a tremendous impact on how you see yourself when you feel all alone. You may be surprised at how children can do so much with so little. Just watch them play with their imaginations. In their role play there is proof of how deeply they absorb information and are nourished or malnourished by what we feed them in every way.
It’s
not my child so why should I be that concerned? I
have my own life and possibly my own children to nurture.
These
are your children, as we are all the sons and daughters of life.
All children that grow up throughout the world must decide what kind of
citizen they choose to be. Their choices will have an impact of the rest
of your existence and affect the mindset of every future generation to
come.
In a light-hearted fashion, you can think of it as writing your own insurance
policy. (smile)
What if I’d rather donate than write a letter?
Naturally “Dream Can Be” appreciates and welcomes all contributions. I will ask this, “Will you still briefly share your guiding wisdom, the one that has made you so fortunate enough to have the conscious-mindedness and success to be able to write this check? “ If that doesn’t work for you, then how about this, “Pretty Please”? (smile)
What do the letters consist of?
You choose
to express your philosophy and wisdom in a way that feels good to you.
Perhaps you are a parent writing a letter to your child. Perhaps your
child writes a letter in a pen-pal fashion to a new friend far away. Maybe
you have a personal story to share that has impacted your life in such
a way that you know others will benefit from the knowledge you have gained.
To accentuate the sensory expression we ask that you personalize with
your own hand writing. This intuitive art-form is a rare treasure that
vibrates who you are right off the page.
The possibilities are unlimited including, pictures, drawing cards, etc. Use your imagination, but don’t discredit the impact of 3 words scribbled on a napkin. You may also invite others to participate. We welcome all submissions.
What do you mean by “letters must be unsealed?”
Your correspondence may be placed in an unsealed envelope and then the entire envelope is placed inside a mailer envelope to reach us here at ZaZalove. These notes of life will be ceremoniously sealed at the same time in honor and respect for you, the contributing Ambassadors.
What is the deadline and why?
The gift submission deadline is October 31st, 2007 as after that time the American holiday season starts and your good intention will be forgotten in the flurry of activities. Also these notes of life will be hand delivered as one gift directly to the children of Final Feliz in November of 2007. Please don’t hesitate to send your submission now as each contributor will be acknowledged on the Ambassadors wall on the website. www.ZaZalove.com .
I am grateful for your time and consideration and offer my very best regards.
We thank you to forward your submissions unsealed to:
Taj
P.O. Box A3153
Chicago, Illinois 60690
ZaZalove has teamed with the Girl Scouts to continue our commitment to training young minds about sustainable life principles. Healthy lifestyle choices in physical and mental fitness enable girls to recognize their power as an individual and how to best integrate that energy into society. Girls ages 5 – 17 learn tools for conscious choice making in caring for their body, mind, spirit and how to own the direct control they have over their overall well-being. The council membership includes more than 36,000 girls and 10,000 adult volunteers. Would you like your girl to come join in the fun? www.girlscouts.org