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World Trust Foundation Teams with SVC...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CALLTO ACTION FOR YOUTH TO HELP IN RELIEF
FOR MORE INFORMATION on our tsunami efforts with HOLLYWOOD ARTIST ALLIANCE CHECK OUT OUR COMMUNITY PAGE and recent photograhs.
Tsunami and Hurrican Relief Fund -written by Tess Cacciatore
December 2005 marked the first annual GLOBAL QUEST FOR PEACE CONFERENCE, held in Bali, Indonesia. For me this conference was life-changing and culturally rich in every way. My heart really connected to the people there, as well as to the people from many countries, who attended the conference on behalf of pursuing peaceful resolutions.
Some times it takes a disaster to bring people together, much like the global stillness on September 11, 2001. These days are no different· except for the culprit of this current disaster is mother nature herself.
Could this be a special message for us all to take care of our precious planet earth?
Needless to say, there was a deafening silence once again· as those of us all over the world watched in shock as the details came over the airwaves that a hurricane came in and swept away much of our southern region. After watching the devastation and going to Sri Lanka personally after the tsunami, which in turn damaged, killed, abandoned, plumaged, devastated the beautiful coast lines of several places that touch the Indian Ocean, I can't help but think that we need to pay close attention to what mother nature is telling us.
As we go on with our daily lives in our protected homes, we witness the numbers of deaths rising and watch the faces of injured people who are facing death with impending starvation and water contamination. Or, we also see the eyes of innocent children, searching for their parents and siblings who will never return.
What can we do?
There are plenty of wonderful organizations who have already come to the rescue, as well as many countries that have sent money to the needed areas. However, there is still so much to do and these efforts will take a lot of commitment on our part.
Once the media has turned its attention to other items in the news and the cameras have turned off, what will happen to these areas that need our help to rebuild? Perhaps this is our chance to make a long-lasting impact and feel good about helping those in need.
What is World Trust Foundation committed to do?
We are beginning a 2-prong fundraising program that fits with our mission of bridging cultures and connecting children around the world. Both of these programs will raise funds, which in turn will give 95% of the monies raised directly to restoring the homes and helping the people who are affected. Also, in light of our vision to collaborate rather than compete, we are developing these programs in tandem with other like-minded organizations.
Our first effort to raise money to build a village in Sri Lanka, has been met with a monumental success to date. With our partners HOLLYWOOD ARTIST ALLIANCE and the Dharma Vejaya Temple in Los Angeles, we ventured in February 2005 to the ground-breaking ceremony - along with our partners of Airline Ambassadors and Dr. Patch Adams and the clown doctors. To date, we have raised money to build 35 homes in the Galle region. By end of year, all homes should be complete. We are looking to raise more money for additional homes, as well as a playground for disable and able-bodied children to play together, a day care center and a facility for local artisans to be able to create crafts to have sustainable income into the village.
Our second effort is to raise money and awareness for a project for Katrina Relief with our partners Airline Ambassadors, Chefs for Humanity and World Shelters to bring relief for the immediate time frame and then work together to rebuild a town for the long term commitment.
World Trust has donated the costs for two world shelters to be delivered down south. One to Mississippi and one to Louisiana. With these shelters, we will be able to disburse food, clothing and other supplies to the much needed areas, while plans of rebuilding a town are underway.
Much volunteer time is needed, as well as money, so please donate if you can!
We are also reaching out to empower youth to come forth and give back to this community. If you are, or know any youth (ages 18-25) who are interested in our efforts, please have them contact tess@worldtrust.org.
How do you propose to do such an undertaking?
As said, we insist on working and collaborating with quality, like-minded people and organizations and this is no different.
These efforts will take hours, months and years of hard work and determination· and we're ready to take this on.
There is the vision that one day in the future there will be beautiful trees grown, the sounds of laughter will come from children, as time will hopefully heal their wounds. You and I will be able to walk through this town down south and in the village in Sri Lanka and know that we did something to make a difference to so many people in need.
Please let us know what you would like to commit on a monthly basis, or if you want to make a one time donation. Every cent will help.
All schools are welcome to participate. If your school wants to be involved, please write to tess@worldtrust.org and let us know.
The World Trust Foundation will be extending their “Youth Ambassador Program” to invite youth from all over, to have a “hands on” experience with the actual build in Sri Lanka or in the town down south.
Our philosophy is to support the overwhelming numbers of people not only lost their homes, but to also incorporate environmentally friendly materials. Working in conjunction with the Sri Lankan people and government, experts in fields of solar power and sustainable building materials have joined our efforts to aide in the design and construction of the homes.”
To see photos of the houses that we have built so far in the Dharma Vijaya Hollywood Artist Village, please click here.
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CarLou Interactive Media & Publishing
Spring 2004, CarLou Interactive Media & Publishing launched the for-profit arm to raise funds for the YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND - to assist with youth reaching their goals to continue their education, participate in a global conference or participate in goal-orientated programs that help other youth, the environment or animal preservation.
The first release, BELLA WISHES, is a fun-loving book for young girls, to instill the message of the importance of dance and exercise, to creatively express themselves, and to understand the value of a strong body image from an early age. BELLA WISHES, is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, belly dancing hippopotomus, who dances from page to page. At the end of hte book, there is a CD for girls to play the theme song for hours of enjoyment and dance. The second track on the CD is the narration of the book to help those learning to read.
The PINK LOTUS - Belly Dance for Girls of All Ages is now released to also bring awareness to body image for young girls, as well as offer proceeds to the YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND, to help World Trust Foundation create sustainable revenue streams.
In the line of helping out with the environment, CarLou Media is partnered with Future Forest in London England, to assess the Co2 emmissions put out by the producton of all products. The conclusion of each phase of production is to plant the exact amount of trees to offset the emmissions.
HIGHLIGHT FOR LOCAL ARTIST: World Trust Foundation ARTIST IN ACTION
Cole Preston, a 9 year old San Diego artist, had the opportunity to express his feelings through art about water conservation. His water color, posted here, won much recognition from his school and community -and now is featured as the artist of the month for World Trust Foundation's ARTS IN ACTION award. Cole is a fourth grader at Conway Elementary School in the city of Escondido, in the Escondido Unified School District. The contest was for the Water Conservation Contest.
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To support our Youth Ambassador Program and Arts In Action, please donate here.
To have your art work posted in our arts in action youth section, please send your submissions to tess@worldtrust.org.
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