Tag Archives: volunteering

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

♥∞

Home Project: Taking on Climate Change

7 Apr

Our climate is already changing, particularly in the Arctic where permafrost is melting, glaciers are receding, and sea ice is disappearing.

Changes in the Arctic will not only affect local people and ecosystems but also the rest of the world, because the Arctic plays a special role in global climate.

How has the climate changed in the Arctic so far, and what future changes are expected?

(more…)

Girls Who Are Changing the World: The Women of Animal Aid

9 Dec

Having just finished Week 2 volunteering at Animal Aid Unlimited in Udaipur, Rajasthan (India) I am completely in awe of the incredible staff that runs this amazing hospital and sanctuary.  Though the ENTIRE staff should (and will) be recognized for their beautiful work, the women of Animal Aid are this week’s Girls Who Are Changing The World.

Erika Abrams founded Animal Aid with her husband Jim about 15 years ago.  They moved to a small village close to Udaipur from Seattle to create a haven for the un-owned street animals of India.  Though neither of them had veterinary experience, they had a love of animals and a passion to help them.  Along with their daughter Claire, they settled here and haven’t looked back.

“As they deepened roots and their understanding of how things work here, they learned that in most cities in India there are no hospitals or shelters for un-owned animals. The government veterinary facilities are aimed toward milk production and animal farming.”

Claire spoke fairly good Hindi by the time she was 10 and has been an ambassador for animals in schools throughout the area.  She began doing slideshows at the age of 15, giving presentations to inform kids what Animal Aid does and why their work is so important.  She also conducts vegan outreach activities in the community.  I like to watch her with the animals.  She gives unconditional love to every one.

Claire giving love to Octopus, a deformed & handicapped dog.

Trudy is the Volunteer Coordinator.  She’s basically my boss and one of the coolest chicks you will ever meet!  She gives tours to visiting groups and assigns the volunteers their jobs.  She knows the place inside and out.  She also has a huge passion for animals like I have never seen.  It is a pleasure to get to work with her every day!

*Photo by Erika Sidor

Then there is the female staff of Animal Aid: Radha, Dhapu, Manju & Kamla.  Each of them has their specialty.  Radha and Dhapu are in charge of pups.  I’m positive that the puppies think Dhapu is their momma the way they follow her around and cry when she leaves their sight for a second! Manju is the woman in charge of cleaning and let me tell you with the 100+ animals at the hospital, it’s a NON-STOP job!

Then there is Kamla who is probably my favorite person in the world!  You only have to be in her presence for a minute before you know that she is someone extraordinary.  Kamla’s main job is physical therapy and massage for the handicapped dogs.  She has gotten many of the paralyzed dogs gain more mobility with her healing ways.  Not only that, but there are at least 2 dogs that have made a full recovery thanks to her.  She is magical.  And probably one of the most joyous people you will ever meet!

Last but not least, there are the female volunteers of Animal Aid.  In my 2 weeks, there have been quite a few people who have come through to spend time helping the hospital.  99% of them girls!  Some come for a day or 2 and some come for weeks/months at a time.  Julie O’Neill has been coming to Animal Aid for 6 years.  The first time she came, she only planned on a week and stayed for a year!  Since then she’s been coming for several months at a time, living in a nearby village and spending every day working at the hospital.  Her dedication to helping the world is inspiring!  Julie definitely deserves her own GCTW post one day highlighting her amazing adventures in volunteering all over the world!

All the women of Animal Aid go above and beyond to help animals in need on a daily basis.  I am completely honored to get to be in their divine presence every day.  Thank you all so much for inspiring me and making me a better person!

♥∞

~B

  Follow B on Twitter in India: @iamsunshine78

**If you know a super rad girl that you would like to nominate for our ‘Girls Who Are Changing the World’ feature, send them to us at: loveinfinitelyproject@gmail.com

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