Thursday, March 31, 2011

Khan Academy: Free Worldwide Homework Help in Math


Former Hedge Fund analyst Sal Khan put homework help in math on YouTube for his cousins, and a funny thing happened.  Students around the world started responding that they appreciated the explanations, they understood.  The virtue of video help in Math is that kids can rewind to review.  There's no feeling bad for not understanding the first time.  Students advance at their own pace.

What started out as help for family has grown into a library of 2,100 videos and 100 self-paced exercises ranging from basic math to vector analysis, physics, chemistry, finance, and history.  The website is Khan Academy

The Khan Academy won Google's Project 10 to the 100 of ideas to change the world and is now an IRS-recognized 501c3 not-for-profit organization.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Kaboom! Ready, Set, Play!!!


Less than half of American children have a playground within walking distance of their homes, and 61% of Americans say simple lack of access is a barrier to their children frequenting a playground.  Did you know playtime is essential to child's well-being?  Play promotes learning, physical fitness, social development, and creativity according to experts.


Darell Hammond and Dawn Hutchison started KaBoom! with the vision of a play space within walking distance of every child in America. The organization has built close to 2,000 playgrounds promoting playtime for 3.5 million children.  The video spotlights just one of KaBoom!'s many endeavors. 


Learn more about KaBOOM! at kaboom.org.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Yuval Roth and His Road to Recovery


Politics and religious division take a back seat when it comes to matters of heart and health.  Yuval Roth and his organization, Derech Hachlama (or Road to Recovery), transport ailing Palestinians into Israel for quality medical care.  A cab ride from the West Bank into Israel can cost nearly $100 (USD), and for many in the Palestinian territory the price is too great.  Health care is also inaccessible because it is so expensive.

Roth saw a need and knew he could help.  The fact that his brother had been killed by Hamas was no obstacle.  Roth's bereavement moved him to love, service, and reconciliation.  About 200 people now volunteer in the Derech Hachlama organization.

Roth was recently featured as a CNN Hero.

You can find out ways to help by emailing Yuval Roth personally.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Robin Lim: Delivering a Gentler World


In Indonesia, being poor can mean forfeiting your newborn baby for the inability to pay your hospital bill.  Robin Lim and her nonprofit organization, Bumi Sehat (Healthy Mother Earth), provide birthing services in Bali for free and in a healthy environment.

"Gentle births create a gentle world" is Lim's vision. She was moved to put herself in the services of others after losing her sister who died from complications during pregnancy.   Bumi Sehat also offers midwifery assistance in the tsunami-ravaged province of Aceh, Sumatra.

Lim is a nominee for a CNN Heroes Award in 2011.

Here's a look at Bumi Sehat's Wishlist, if you'd like to help, or visit www.RobinLimSupport.org.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Education to Empower: How Philosophy Opens Intellectual Horizons for Children

Imagine young scholars, your own children, or kids you know engaging in a philosophical discussion. Education to Empower brings philosophical inquiry to classrooms allowing teachers to empower and inspire students by encouraging them to reason, communicate, and think creatively.

From the Education to Empower website:

Clackmannanshire Council in Central Scotland pioneered the teaching of philosophical inquiry in primary schools when it introduced the subject in some of its most run-down areas six years ago.

An initial study carried out in 2003-04 showed that children aged five to 11 who were taught so-called "philosophical inquiry" showed intelligence gains of more than seven IQ points.

Here you can view elementary school age children doing philosophy. 

Since education serves as the very foundation of society, Education to Empower believes good academics necessarily include excitement and the full flourishing and realization of a child's intellectual potential.

You can follow Education to Empower on Facebook.

Education to Empower is an emerging 501 (C) (3) nonprofit.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Shelterbox Helping Japan



ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most.  Right now their focus is on Japan in the wake of the massive 9.1 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear emergency.

ShelterBox provides a tent that comfortably sleeps a family of ten, a means to purify water, tools, blankets, and art supplies for children.

You can find out more or donate by visiting ShelterBox (dot) org.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Gridiron Heroes: Life After Spinal Cord Injuries



Life after catastrophic injuries can seem insurmountable for the young athletes who survive such trauma.  One in every 100,000 high school football players faces a serious spinal cord injury each year. Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation aims to help students face the challenges that come whether it's physically, emotionally, mentally, or financially.

Gridiron Heroes founders have a very personal story that led to the creation of this 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit.  They provide immediate and long term support to individuals sustaining a catastrophic spinal cord injury associated with high school football.  The organization, although based in Texas, has made efforts to expand their support around the U.S.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Kid One Transport of Alabama



A lack of transportation imposes a sometimes formidible obstacle for children and expectant mothers who need medical care.  Former Alabama firefighter, Russell Jackson, saw a need and had an idea on how he could help bridge the gap.  This was the beginning of the Kid One Transport System.

The organization identifies those in need of rides to and from medical appointments then safely and reliably insures kids and pregnant women get where they need to go. 

There are a few creative ways anyone can help out with the effort.  You can start by filling up a gas tank.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Craig Newmark's Really Big Deal



Craig Newmark of Craigslist is dedicating his next 20 years to CraigConnects.   His aim is ongoing support for effective nonprofits:
  • Craigconnects is about calling attention to and connecting good, effective nonprofits and other organizations that get the job done.

  • Craigconnects is also about protecting organizations, and the public, from fake organizations that have a good story, but actually end up hurting the people they profess to serve. (Craig Connects)

Already the site has done a spotlight piece on DonorsChoose (dot) org. You can follow Newmark's latest project on Twitter.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Skater Girls in Afghanistan


Being a girl in Afghanistan can mean few opportunities for education, but Skateistan is helping to eliminate gender inequalities. The project draws children away from lives spent begging and into an educational setting where devotion to academics earn a student the chance to train as skateboarders.

Australia's Oliver Percovich and Sharna Nolan introduced skateboarding to youth in Afghanistan, and it never occurred to the girls they met that skateboarding couldn't be for them.  Percovich now directs Skateistan as a co-educational and sports complex.

Check out the website to find out more about the program, or to volunteer, work, or donate.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Kids in Need of Desks


Kids in Malawi have studied for years in schools that lack such basic equipment as desks.  Students have been learning while sitting on concrete or dirt floors.  Unicef has taken the lead in addressing the problem and has helped to create jobs for craftsmen at the same time.

The program, Kids In Need of Desks (KIND), recently furnished Malawi's Chimwala primary school which serves 3,000 students. The goal is to provide 46,000 school desks in classrooms around the nation. Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. It helps lay the groundwork for survival and success that will continue for generations

Sub-Sahara Africa faces a myriad of crises in education.  Forty-five million children are not able to attend school at all.  In Malawi 80% of kids sit in classrooms without basics like desks.  Education is a proven strategy in lifting lives from poverty and providing the tools for success in adulthood.

You can provide a child in Malawi with a desk for school by clicking this link.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Aware Show Teleseminars




Best-selling authors and transformational thinkers are participating in The Aware Show Teleseminar Series hosted by Lisa Garr.  Each week for the next 3 months, these online seminars will offer ideas, tools and techniques for tapping into your own greatest potential.

Check out the guest list for speakers that spark your interest.

Listen from the comfort of your own home every Wednesday & Thursday 6:00 PM Eastern (5:00 PM Central, 3:00 PM Pacific).  You can enroll right now on The Aware Show website.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Mary's Meals


Hunger kills millions of children each year.  Those who survive in a malnourished state can experience delayed or stunted development both mentally and physically.  Iron deficiency interferes with concentration and decreases a child's activity.  Hungry teenagers lack the capacity to focus in school. Hunger remains the biggest threat to health.

Now, imagine feeding a half million children every day.  Mary's Meals doesn't have to imagine it; they live it.

The organization identifies impoverished children facing chronic food shortages and partners with schools to ensure kids receive one nutritious daily meal.  The academic experience is enhanced and children are able to perform better on full stomachs.   Mary's Meals does this through donations of money, goods, skills, and time.

You can learn more at their website: http://www.marysmeals.org.uk/