Project Laos - Fundraiser Results

On May 23^rd, we initiated a fundraiser to raise $5,000 to help the final phase of the construction of a children’s school in Laos in a town called Ban Navangtai.   Our goal was to collect $2,500 in donations and we would personally match the donations dollar for dollar up to $2,500. 

As of today, the total amount (including our $2,500 personal donation) raised for this project is $4,161. 

We are very grateful to everyone who contributed.  Our thanks also go to those helped spread the word.  We would also like to thank those who had wished they had been able to contribute but had not been  able – we appreciate your consideration.

Project Enlightenment will continue efforts to raise the rest of the $5,000 needed to finish the last phase of the project.  If you are interested in assisting, please visit their website at http://projectenlightenment.com and be sure to select Project Laos on the donation page.

 “The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.”  ~Leo Rosten

Biggest Mistake I Ever Made

As a child, I used to dream of the wildest dreams and that nothing was impossible to achieve.  I use to think of wonderfully innovative ideas, and dream of flying to the moon or being first to do something incredibly ingenious.  I even believed I was as invincible as Superman.  But, as I got older, these over ambitious dreams seemed less attainable and were tainted by people around me who felt the need to “put some sense into me.” Unfortunately, I fell into those dream stealers’ traps and reassessed my path to greatness and pulled back the reigns.

I still had ambitious goals but they were more “logical, reasonable and normal” based on the standards of my dream stealers.  Then, one day, I did the most incredible thing in my life and realize that you create the boundaries that hold you back…and that I can do anything and overcome anything if I put my mind into or if I believed in myself.   I walked on fire...  I attended a Tony Robbins event in Los Angeles three years ago and my life changed forever. 

Since that day, I’ve turned my job into something I truly enjoy, I’ve started my own business (and recently began a consulting business), I’ve been very active in outreach events in various levels, and I’ve been able to find time for myself, my friends and family. 

It doesn’t stop here.  There are still so many things I want to accomplish in this lifetime.  I’m glad my eyes were opened and the realities of my abilities were revealed to me sooner than later.  With this wonderful perception that nothing is unattainable, I’m able to make this life one that is fulfilling and satisfying, and one where I can share my talents and time to help make this world a better place and to help others reach their own dreams.

Join me in raising funds for Project Laos - I will match your donation dollar for dollar up to $2500.

Phouva Vorapanya had a dream long before he fled Laos when he was 16 years old, and many years after the Vietnam War ended.  His dream was to rebuild the primary school he attended in the village he grew up in, Ban Navangtai, also the name of the primary school.  This dream became a reality when he met Asad Rahman and Olivia Lorge, two of the Board of Directors of Project Enlighten.  Project Enlighten is a non-profit organization that helps fund special projects such as education and humanitarian assistance internationally, with a focus in South East Asia.   The directors’ dedication to helping people around the world inspired Phouva to execute his dream of rebuilding schools in his village.

Talks began on the rebuilding of Ban Navangtai Primary School in 2007.  In late 2008, Asad and Olivia visited Ban Navangtai, Laos to assess the project scope.  Planning continued throughout 2009. Phase I & II were completed in 2010 during which the foundation, walls, and brickwork were built.  Phase III was initiated in January of this year, however the project has been challenged with limited funding.  Their goal is to raise $5000 to finish Phase III.

This is how you can help:

1.      Personal Check payable to “Project Enlighten.”  In the memo section of your check, please indicate “Project Laos.”  Mail check to:  Inspired Designs by Patricia, P.O. Box 262192, San Diego, CA  92122

2.      OR, make your donation at Project Enlighten’s website:

http://www.projectenlighten.com

Instructions on how to make donation through Project Enlighten website:

        I.            Go to:  http://www.projectenlighten.com

      II.            Click on the link for “Donations” on left-hand side of home page

    III.            Click on the “Donate Now” button which is the orange box near top of page

   IV.            Complete each of the fields on the donation page

a.      For Program Destination, choose “Project Laos” from the drop-down menu

b.      For the Dedication field, please be sure to type in “For Patty” so that we can track how you learned about our program and where your generous donation came from

     V.            Click the “continue” button at the bottom of page once all fields are completed

   VI.            Please review the information on the next page, the “Final Step” page

 VII.            If all information is correct, click the “Donate” button at the bottom of the page; please only click the button one time.

More behind Phouva’s drive to complete this project.

In 2006, Phouva returned to his village in Laos for the first time since he left the country in 1984.  He was united again with his mother and immediate family members after 22 years, a reunion full of happy emotions. Unfortunately, Phouva’s father was killed during the Vietnam War, but the visit back home was a bittersweet reminder of who he is, where he came from, and what he would like to accomplish in his lifetime.  This moment in time while reunited with his family, he will cherish forever.  The celebration and festivities continued throughout the month that he spent with them.  During his time spent there, he also returned to his primary school and while the memories of growing up in the village and attending this school brought back so many emotions, he continued developing ideas to rebuild a firm foundation and ongoing education and economic system for the village children.  Phouva has since returned to Ban Navangtai, Laos in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 to visit family and continue the effort to finish rebuilding his school.

The drive to fulfill his dream of rebuilding Ban Navangtai Primary School deepened even further after his first couple of visits back home.  Phouva’s main role in this project is to manage the construction of the new school.  Since Phouva resides in the U.S. and has a day job as a firefighter, he spends his evenings on the phone with the local project manager in Laos to ensure that the finances and materials are being provided accordingly to get through each milestone of the project.  The materials to build the primary school are from funds raised and provided by the Project Enlighten organization; the labor is provided by the local village men of Ban Navangtai Village on a voluntary basis.

Audra Garcia, Phouva’s girlfriend, supports his dream by assisting with the written communications in English that is needed to communicate the progress of the project to those involved in the project and donors.  They met in 2002 and she has been there for Phouva to help make his dream become a reality.  She visited Phouva’s village with him in 2006 and 2008 and hopes to return soon.

After Phase III is completed, the long-term goals of this project are as follows:

1.      Expand and rebuild the secondary school in Ban Navangtai Village.

2.      Further expand project into other schools in surrounding villages.

3.      Continue providing a training program for their teachers.

4.      Scholarship provisioning.

 Photos:

Ban Navangtai School Children

Phouva & School Staff Planning

School Construction

School Construction

Phouva, School Staff & Planning

Children Mending Hearts - Help them Mend Haiti

Our involvement in art is allows us to connect deeply to the world and open ourselves to new ways of seeing things.  According to an article written by Fran Smith, Why Art Education is Crucial, and Who's Doing it Best, years of research have proven that it is closely linked to academic achievement, social emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity...all of which we want for our children and demand form our schools.

Lysa Heslov, understands this and founded Children Mending Hearts (http://www.childrenmendingheart.org/) in 2008 to help children express themselves creatively.  Her organization conducts art workshops in America with local homeless children's organizations and internationally with NGO's supporting children in conflict zones.

On February 21, 2011, Lysa's organization and Sean Penn's organization will be embarking on a mission to Haiti where they will be lending their time and talents to help the children in Haiti as their country continues to mend itself after the horrific earthquake that rocked it a year ago.  This is a scene of debris in Haiti one year after earthquake struck.  As you can see the reconstruction progress has been slow.

Photo: J. Swicord, VOA

Lysa has reached out to ask for assistance in donating gently used items of the following:  digital cameras, photo paper, and used laptops you may no longer need.  In addition, Haiti is in desperate need of boy's underwear (briefs or boxers).  Please extend your help if you are able to and send the donated items to:

Children Mending Hearts

13741 Venture Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, CA  91423

I would love it if you would join me in this cause.  Your help will be deeply appreciated by all the children that will be affected by your kindness.  Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

"Art open the closets, airs out the cellars and attics.  It brings healing."  (by Julia Cameron from her book The Artist's Way)

Quash Alzheimer's

The Alzeihmer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter's mission is to support efforts in research, care of those affected by Alzheimer's, and the promotion of brain health.  Alzheimer's is a fatal and progressive brain disease with no cure and no survivors.  As part of their efforts, every year, this organization puts together a huge scavenger hunt called "Quash" to help raise funds for their cause.  This year the events will be held at the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa and San Diego. 

Quash involves teams of 2-4 players who will be required to use their brain power, creativiy and team-building skills to complete a scavenger hunt.  Teams will travel on foot and will be required to solve clues that will award them a pre-determined amount of points if they get the correct answers.  The teams will race through this scavenger hunt to the finish line where they will be greeted with a party, music, food and awards. Check out their website for additional information:  www.quashnow.org or http://www.alz.org/quashnow/2010_about_cause.asp


The coordinators of the event are reaching out to organizations to help with gift donations and sponsorship.  Inspired Designs by Patricia (www.idbyp.com) will be donating $200 worth of gift certificates toward the association's need for gift donations.  If your organization would be interested in either donating gift certificates or sponsoring, please contact me at inspireddesignsbypatricia@yahoo.com.  Help make a difference.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)