Student Commitment Highlights
LendforPeace.org: Utilizing Microfinance to Invest in a
Better Tomorrow for Palestinians and Israelis
Commitment By: Sam Adelsberg
University: University of Pennsylvania
Geographic Scope: Palestinian Territories
In 2008, Sam Adelsberg, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying politics, economics, and Middle Eastern Studies, founded LendforPeace.org. In 2008, LendforPeace.org committed through CGI U to use micro-lending to promote economic opportunity and political stability in the Middle East. Since its inception, LendforPeace.org has been bringing together people of all faiths and backgrounds to give Palestinians the opportunity to provide for their family and add positively to their community and to the political process.
In autumn 2008, LendforPeace.org successfully launched its website, which provides an web portal where individuals anywhere can lend directly to vetted micro-entrepreneurs in the West Bank. Over the last year, Adelsberg has effectively developed local partnerships with U.S. government-approved microfinance institutions, including the Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association (ASALA) and the Palestine for Credit & Development (FATEN). Both institutions deliver capital along with training and guidance to low-income individuals.
Since its inception, LendforPeace.org has catalyzed $28,000 in
micro-loans. However,
after being recently featured on FOX,
Adelsberg expects to double this amount in the next month alone.
Visit LendforPeace.org for more information.
Pemón Health: Improving Health in
Indigenous Pemón Villages
Commitment By: Yongjun Heo
University: Swarthmore College
Geographic Scope: Venezuela
Pemon Villages Yongjun Heo of Swarthmore College is committing to expand the work of his student-led group Pemón Health, which he founded in 2007 to combat preventable illnesses in the indigenous village of Uriman in the Bolívar State of Venezuela. After spending the summer of 2007 assisting a doctor in Uriman, Yongjun returned to the village with 10 students to implement an incentive-based waste management program. As part of that program, which also will be continued in 2009, students distributed goods such as bed nets, donated shoes, and staple foods to villagers. In 2009, under the guidance of university professors, healthcare professionals, and village leaders, Heo and Pemón Health will expand their efforts to include agricultural, educational, and direct-service initiatives that will help villagers create cost-effective community projects that focus on local environmental and health improvement.
Learn more at www.pemonhealth.org.
Encouraging Reading in Public Schools:
Expanding a Community Reading Project
Commitment By: Kirsten Hall
University: Tulane University
Geographic Scope: Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, and St. Louis
Kirsten Hall of Tulane University returned to the CGI U Meeting in 2009 with a commitment to expand upon her 2008 Community Reading Project. Recognizing a lack of student involvement in an elementary school in New Orleans, Hall created a “reading room” at the Lafayette Academy Charter School to provide students with reading tutors. In 2008, Hall’s program matched 50 Tulane volunteers with 200 local elementary school students, who met for one hour each week and received one-on-one attention. In 2009, Hall plans to engage students from universities in five other cities to follow her program model. She chose Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, and St. Louis as expansion cities based on their concentration of both low-performing public schools and universities dedicated to community service. Kirsten views the pilot program as a success, noting: “To be completely honest, I couldn’t be more proud.” She is optimistic that the new programs also will thrive.
Healing Origami: Therapeutic Art for
Children and Alzheimer’s patients
Commitment By: Min-Jeong Cho
University: University of Texas
Geographic Scope: Austin, Houston
Min-Jeong Cho, of The University of Texas, committed in 2009 to teach the therapeutic art of origami to 1,000 hospital and health-facility patients, with a focus on children and Alzheimer’s patients. After working in several hospitals, Min-Jeong noticed that patients are often secluded during their treatments without diverting activities. Min-Jeong’s program recognizes that because the hands are great influencers of brain activity, creating 3D art that can be animated by the hands has tremendous medical, educational, and creative value. She notes, “Because of the emphasis on hand coordination, origami is widely used in Korea as an art therapy for children and elderly patients.” Min-Jeong and her team are already working at Austin’s Dell Children’s Medical Center, and through her 2009 commitment, hope to spread their volunteer activities to Houston at the Texas Medical Center.