Archive | July, 2012

Animal Aid Updates

7 Jul

One of my favorite things is getting the email newsletter from our friends at Animal Aid Unlimited in Udaipur, India. On my last trip there I had the amazing privilege to meet (and fall in love) with some beautiful creatures. Two in particular that stole my heart were Buddy and Jimmy Superfly. Both Indian street dogs came to Animal Aid just before I arrived last winter so I got to see the extent of their injuries and transformation in the weeks I spent with them.

Buddy came to Animal Aid nearly dead with a head wound. When we began the educational outreach program, we needed an animal ambassador. We chose Buddy because he is great around people and his wound was beginning to heal nicely. He was rescued by a local village boy and both have become heroes. Buddy was the perfect ambassador!

Jimmy was the most severe case of the paralyzed dogs last winter. He was the only dog that could not move on his own. Though so charismatic that we tended on him hand and paw! We couldn’t help it. Jimmy Supefly was just that, superfly. He made solid improvements while I was there. Lifting his head and shoulders. Both of these boys stole my heart!

A few weeks ago I heard the wonderful news that Jimmy is not just walking, but RUNNING! Nothing short of a miracle. See it with your own eyes:

Then just a few days ago I got another update on Buddy. Animal Aid’s Manager Laxman Singh Rathore wrote an article for the local paper on how rescuing animals has made him a better parent and used Buddy’s story as the example.

“The article is part of a series of feature stories focusing on the importance of street dogs in our lives to ease tensions between Srinagar residents whose fear of dogs has led to mass dog killings in Srinagar in the past, and the threat of more.”

When I get an update or email from Animal Aid I get anxious to get back there. Not only is there much work to be done, but I personally feel like I have so much work to do there. Next year I am hoping to launch an initiative to get more volunteers to work with them. I will be headed back soon.

Who is coming with me?

♥∞

~B

Follow Love Infinitely on Twitter: @LoveInfinitelyP

Maji Zuwa

7 Jul

“The greatest crime against humanity is playing small with your life.”

About a week ago we found out about an incredible documentary project, Maji Zuwa.

“Maji Zuwa (which means water and sun) is a guest lodge on the beach of Lake Malawi. It’s a hotel where travelers spend part of their vacations doing volunteer service in the village. Sometimes they’re helping to build a school or assist in a medical clinic or connect buildings with electricity. Other times they’re working with children in school or bringing food to orphans or helping widowed women get back on their feet and rise up out of the bottom levels of poverty. 

But Maji Zuwa is more than just a small hotel. Maji Zuwa is a sanctuary for several orphan children who otherwise would have no home. It’s a place where they can learn and grow and dream. In fact, some of the teenagers who live at Maji Zuwa helped build it. 

Maji Zuwa is also a gathering place for a community where most of the people live on less than $2 a day.”

The documentary is being directed by LA filmmaker Ben Blair, who will be heading to Malawi for a year to bring awareness to Maji Zuwa.  The film will focus on the work of an amazing human being named, Matt Maroon.

“When Matt was in college he spent some time doing service in Malawi. But when it was time for Matt to come back to Ohio, he couldn’t. There was too much work to be done, and too many people who needed help. So, Matt stayed.

Matt came up with the idea for the guest lodge and economic center that would generate revenue to support projects in the community. Maji Zuwa is that place where Matt works hand in hand with the people in his village to make a difference and give hope that better times are ahead.”

Maji Zuwa is a hotel where people can volunteer and vacation at the same time.  The hotel also doubles as an orphanage, being home to some 15-20 children.

In addition to running the hotel and teaching at a local University, Matt also started his own non-profit, Determined to Develop.  Ben’s dream is to make a film that will showcase Maji Zuwai and the local community Matt works with every day.  So he’s headed to Chilumba, Malawi.

“I’m going to spend the next YEAR living at Maji Zuwa with Matt, travelers and orphan teenagers, documenting their stories. When I’m done, we’ll have an amazing film that brings awareness and assistance to Matt, his non-profit Determined to Develop, Maji Zuwa and the people of Malawi.”

In conjunction with Fractured Atlas and IndieGoGo, Ben is raising the funds to make this project happen.  You can support financially (you get cool gifts!) or by helping spread the word.

We LOVE this project because it exemplifies everything Love Infinitely Project stands for; using your natural talents to change the world.  So naturally we want to do everything to help.

Watch the video, be inspired and let’s get to work.

Helpful links

Learn more about the project: Maji Zuwa IndieGoGo Main Page

Maji Zuwa Facebook Page

Follow Maji Zuwa Doc on Twitter: @majizuwadoc

More on Maji Zuwa

More on Determined to Develop

Contact: majizuwamovie@gmail.com

♥∞

Hiatus Over!

7 Jul

As you may have noticed (if you are one of our loyal friends) that we have taken a short leave from updates on the site.

It was a much needed break so we could focus on paperwork, budgets, fundraising strategies and growing the Love Infinitely Shop.  But we’re back and we have many new stories to share!  Also, your favorite features (and some new ones) will be back, like our popular ‘Girls Who are Changing the World‘.

There are so many exciting plans coming up in our near future, we can’t wait to share them with you!

Summer of Infinite Love is back!

♥∞

The Love Infinitely Team