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Do We Matter Online: Empowering Marginalized People on the Internet

During the decade I recently spent in East Africa, I spent the majority of my time experimenting with disadvantaged communities to explore ways that participating in the Internet could influence their lives in positive ways. What I learned is that empowering the poor through the Internet is much more complex than teaching people where to click to find information. There are fundamental perception issues at play that serve to keep Africa’s engagement in the online world lower than it should be. One widespread misperception is that enabling Africa to access information from the rest of the world is going to empower African people - as if Africa’s problems would be solved if the average semi-literate African woman could simply find, read and digest what the rest of the world has to teach her. Fundamentally, however, empowering people means helping them believe that they matter, and that what they have to offer has value . Unfortunately, foreign information and culture pushed at Africa o
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What's Next for Literacy 'n' Poverty Project?

Dear Friends, In December 2006, I started Literacy ‘n’ Poverty Project, aptly known as LnP, from my dorm room at Babson College.  I was a senior who just completed an activist project for an Interdisciplinary Approach to Human Rights course with Professor Elizabeth Goldberg. This was an experience that changed my life ! You have been a supporter of LnP and for that I thank you and am grateful for your company on this journey. It has been almost two years since you’ve received an update from me, and today I’m going to share some intimate remarks about myself, LnP, and where we go from here. Please read on. Since graduating from Babson in 2007, I have learned so much from my former professors, friends, colleagues, mentors and advisors, and the world. I have observed the habits, actions, and inactions of all types of entrepreneurs in many areas throughout the world. This observation took place mostly online using tools like LinkedIn, SocialEdge, Social Earth, Facebook, Twitter, Ning

We Stopped Blogging and Got Serious About Our Future

It's been over four months since we last posted to this blog! While it breaks our heart to have been out of touch for so long, we had good reason. You see, our blog is run by volunteers of the Literacy 'n' Poverty Project. LnP is a social initiative I started that addresses multiple aspects of literacy - health, reading, writing and financial - to empower the poor and low-income adults to lift themselves up out of poverty . But, if you've been keeping up with our blog which we know you all have :), you can see that adult education has not been the focus. And rightfully so. How We Got Started Make Social Change A Reality was created as a venue to discuss various issues concerning the broader concept of social change from the environment to women's issues to healthcare to youth development . As a startup with goals of becoming an international social enterprise, we felt that y'all deserved a place of your own to learn, engage and share information and resources

Ready to Make Social Change a Reality? Start Volunteering!

We talk about working to make social change a reality, but where does one start? First, there is the light-bulb moment. The time when one realizes today is the day, now is the time to make a difference. The next step is often harder – getting started. Where does one begin? How do you decide which organization to work with? I’ve developed a short list of organizations that should kick start your research into volunteer work. And if you have any other ideas, or suggestions, please add them in the comments! HandsOn Network If you live in New York City , you know them as New York Cares . But did you know that there are actually 250+ affiliates of the HandsOn Network across the U.S. and 11 international locations? Their structure is based on an online model. You must first attend an orientation session in person. Then, you are eligible to volunteer during the day, evenings, or on weekends for organizations serving children, animals, the environment or ad

How Big is Your (Carbon) Footprint?

*This post was written in collaboration with over 7,500 other blogs from 140 countries for Blog Action Day 2009 . The Pew Center for Global Climate Change is an invaluable resource for information on how society has effected the environment and how changes in the environment are affecting society. Their purpose is to “ … bring [sic] together business leaders, policy makers, scientists, and other experts to bring a new approach to a complex and often controversial issue. Our approach is based on sound science, straight talk, and a belief that we can work together to protect the climate while sustaining economic growth. ” The website is organized to educate and empower both professionals and private citizens. My favorite feature is Tips on Curbing Your Personal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions . Here are some ways you can shrink your carbon footprint, and do your part to protect the environment, without increasing your expenses … At Home: • Lower your thermostat 2° in winter and raise

Potential Bright Spots for the Long-term Unemployed

The Center for America Progress released their findings for September 2009 on Tuesday. Part of a list of signs that America’s economy is still struggling was this highlight… “The average length of unemployment in September 2009 was 26.2 weeks, the median length of unemployment was 17.3 weeks, and 35.6 % of the unemployed were out of a job for 27 weeks or more. All of these indicators are at their highest level since 1948.” Media outlets are reporting with more and more frequency the difficulties the long-term laid off are having in securing employment. The Wall Street Journal’s online career section regularly featured an article back in June titled, “ Only the Employed Need Apply ”. It seems, not only are there fewer jobs available, but the unemployed are being passed over for theoretically more desirable candidates - those who are employed. The question becomes … with so many obstacles before them … Is there any good news for the long-term unemployed? Yes, there is . #1 Unemploy

The Day We Committed to Social Change

On this day two years ago, Make Social Change A Reality was born . Yay , Happy Birthday to us! Last year, we celebrated our first birthday by declaring October 8 th as a day of recognition for all who make a difference . This year we'd like to invite you to share your story in creating a better world. What have you done to make a difference in 2009? What are your goals for change in 2010? Why do you do what you do? How are you going to enlist the support of others to make social change a reality in your lifetime? We look forward to hearing from all change agents regardless of issue area. Please share your stories in the comments! This post was written by Chanelle Carver, creator of this blog and founder of the Literacy 'n' Poverty Project.

We Will Make Change Again

There are those who want to fuss and fight And would rather scream and shout Than try to find some common ground And calmly talk things out Some people are just so hell bent On getting their own way That they show utter disregard For what others have to say It is almost common place these days To dismiss and reject Those that have a different view As down right incorrect. It seems like some are delighted With the chaos and the craze They spread their anger and disdain And expect to get high praise The President speaks to Congress To make us all aware Of reforms he will be making To bring us all healthcare But with blatant disrespect One chooses to defy The President of the United States And scream at him “YOU LIE !” Have some people lost their manners Do they simply have no shame? Or is it easier to look outward To find someone to blame? Some are just determined To make it their game plan To fight against the social change That could help the common man Social issues are a reality tha

The Real Price of that Puppy in the Window

Taking a walk down your neighborhood block on a warm, sunny afternoon, you couldn’t resist stopping and cooing at the adorable puppies staring back at you through a pet store window. Although that golden retriever may seem happy with his wide brown eyes, he may be hiding a dark secret that the Amish, a community who appears to be so peaceful, is hiding from you. In Lancaster County, PA, many puppy mills are currently operating under horrid and secret conditions. ABC News reports, “Rescue workers estimate 600 unlicensed facilities operate in barns and sheds. Those breeders go to great measures to avoid discovery.” Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue, tells ABC News some of these facilities even "de-bark" their dogs. “The farmers, the Amish and the Mennonites, they pull the heads back and then they hammer sharp instruments down their throats to scar their vocal cords so they can't bark. So that way they can have 500-600 dogs in a barn and no one knows. As we sa

Keys to Increasing Graduation Rates at Community Colleges Remains Elusive

In July, President Obama announced his $12 billion investment plans for community colleges . He set the benchmark of success at an additional 5 million community college graduates within in the next 11 years – by 2020. However, research by the Brookings Institution, noted in an Education Week article earlier this month, showed that in 2002, only 1 in 10 students who started at a community college had earned an associates degree within three years. So, how do we increase graduation rates among community college students? Before we address that question, let’s take a step back and look at the role community colleges play in the educational system and why they are crucial to America’s success. Community colleges were started by President Truman to increase the educational opportunities for World War II veterans. They actually represent a larger portion of the higher education system than traditional four-year colleges. 40-45% of all college undergraduates attend community colleges. They