Happy Valentine's Day 2012!
Founding School Named
February 8, 2012
What has 1000 feet, is excited about changing the world and has taken Project Humanity's challenge to collect lightly used shoes to heart?
Project Humanity is proud to name Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School in Atlanta as our founding school for our Shoe Challenge.
On February 16, 2012, Darren Tipton, founder of PH will address the student body challenging them to life a life of legacy and realize that a humanitarian heart begins at a young age. "We often live life suggesting that our best days are when we are older," said Tipton. "The truth is, youth and adults can do things today to cultivate a humanitarian spirit."
The 500 youth who attend the school will be digging deep in their closets and challenging each other to see which class can bring the most shoes to help in the Shoe Challenge (part of PH's Bright Idea Campaign).
"It's going to be amazing seeing young people get excited about helping others -- and the beautiful part is that it will cost them nothing out-of-pocket. It all happens with resources they already have," he said.
It's with this youth-helping-youth mindset that Project Humanity proudly names IHM School our founding school for this campaign!
PH Team Finishes 200 Mile Relay
January 7, 2012
What has 36 legs, takes two vans to move it around and runs for 30+ hours (while spreading the word about our work in Kenya)? A Ragnar Relay team running for Project Humanity!
Project Humanity finished its first Ragnar Relay on January 7th. Thirty hours and one minute it took to run 198.5 miles. Hundreds of twelve-member teams hit the streets, swamps and islands along the Florida Keys January 6-7, 2012. Twelve of those runners were raising awareness of Project Humanity's mission.
"Ragnar is about pushing yourself to accomplish huge physical challenges while also sharing the challenges facing Kenyan children and those suffering with HIV/AIDS," said Darren Tipton, Project Humanity Founder. "It's a little crazy out there -- our team raises awareness that by working together we can accomplish any obstacle."
Plans are already underway for future relays -- and we are calling out others who will make an opportunity to challenge others to live a life inspired to serving others!
For more information about running for PH in a future Ragnar Relay contact Darren at darren@projecthumanity.com.
Hassenfeld Family Foundation Donates Toys To Project Humanity
Running 198.5 Miles For PH
November 28, 2011
Project Humanity raises awareness of our mission -- 198.5 miles, 12 runners and 2 vans!
On January 6-7, 2012 Project Humanity will be represented in the Florida Keys Ragnar Relay which starts in Miami and finishes in Key West!
For 30 hours, 12 runners will cover nearly 200 miles raising awareness of PH's mission and purpose -- and challenging others to get involved in making a difference.
"What an exhilarating way to raise awareness while having a great time," said Darren Tipton, PH Founder. "I won't be running, but I'll be driving the team from beginning to end demonstrating that when people unite for a common cause, we can cover lots of territory."
And 200 miles is a lot of territory.
For more information on the Ragnar Relay series, click here. To join a future PH Ragnar team, contact Darren.
PBS Features Project Humanity
November 24, 2011
Project Humanity is grateful to Puerto Rican Public Broadcasting for accompanying a PH team that traveled to Africa in December 2010 to document our work there.
On Thanksgiving day, November 24, 2011 PBS presented a 30 minute documentary, "Mis Hijos de Africa" or "My Children of Africa."
Long-time Project Humanity supporter Francisco Cabrera Mercado of Naranjito, Puerto Rico (and vice-president of Puerto Rican PBS Channel 6) and Darren Tipton, PH Founder are featured on the video with some of the children PH has worked with (and some of their challenging situations).
Click here to watch a preview of the documentary, and check back for exceprts from the video.
Special thanks to PBS Puerto Rico Channel 6 for the use of photos and video.
From Island To Africa, Love Knows No Distance!
September 21, 2011
Project Humanity proudly celebrates Francisco Cabrera Mercado of Naranjito, Puerto Rico for receiving an award from the Puerto Rico House of Representatives for his humanitarian lifestyle and commitment, which includes service through Project Humanity.
Frank has shown that no situation can limit our love to help others regardless of the distance. We are proud of Frank and the challenge he offers to others.
How will you change the world?
Content adapted from proclamation from P.R. House of Representatives.
Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rico TV.
On A Mission!
September 20, 2011
Through a summer mission trip to Africa, nursing major Corina Duarte has made a lasting impression on the entire ASU Nursing Department.
After hearing in one of her nursing classes about the trip sponsored by the Project Humanity organization, Duarte was quick to volunteer. That was followed by several months of working with the Nursing Department to make sure she could get course credit, and with the Center for International Studies to secure a scholarship to partially offset her $4,000 travel costs. Then, she set out for Kisumu, Kenya, for 10 days of what she thought would be a nursing study abroad trip at an established clinic.
“I was under the impression that I was going to be a student nurse, but it was nothing like that,” Duarte said. “It was just me and another nurse who had just graduated, and we were kind of thrust into the role of doctors. It was kind of hard because we aren’t actually allowed to do some of what the people needed.”
“We had people bringing in X-rays wanting us to read them, but we weren’t able to do that,” she added. “We had to set some boundaries on what we could do, but we did help with medications and saw the major cases. They ranged from malaria to tuberculosis, ringworms and hernias. So, we were able to see what they had and treat them. About all we had were band-aids, gauze and antibiotic ointments, so it was hard.”
Much of Duarte’s work centered around the Echoes of Mercy orphanage in Kisumu. She also worked with other volunteers to secure some much-needed medical supplies for the village. But, it was not all work as she also enjoyed a two-day guided safari on the plains of Kenya.
“That was a lot of fun,” Duarte said. “I saw lions literally right in front of me. Also, zebras, giraffes, elephants, hyenas and everything you would imagine. We saw hippos, alligators and monkeys. It was basically like the movie ‘Lion King.’”
For Duarte, who is now planning a future in overseas travel nursing, the trip was just what the doctor ordered as she follows her mother’s footsteps into the nursing profession.
“My mom used to work in a hospital and she also took care of elderly patients through home health care,” Duarte said. “I knew I wanted to help people, I just wasn’t sure how. But, after spending more time with my mother, I figured the way I could help people was through the medical field, so I became a nurse, too.”
“I really feel like this trip was a calling from God,” she added. “I’m going to continue on with this program, and we are already planning another trip for Spring Break. We are actually going to try to build that clinic for the village and the orphanage. We are trying to recruit about 30 more people to go, so anyone who is in nursing, pre-med or even education is welcome to go with us. We are also trying to set it up so we can get some medical supplies to them on a monthly basis.”
The Nursing Department is also getting involved. Upon her return from Kenya, Duarte made a presentation on her trip to the department faculty, who are now working on a possible partnership with Project Humanity to send future nursing student groups and medical supplies to Kisumu.
When she is not working on her nursing degree or volunteering, Duarte enjoys time with her family, Bible studies and zumba. She is also a member of the ASU Up and Coming Scholars program and the Chi Alpha Christian sorority.
“I really like the family community at ASU,” Duarte said. “It is just so friendly here and so loving.”
Duarte is hoping to further that ASU reputation through her nursing and volunteer efforts.
(If you would like more information about getting involved with volunteer efforts through Project Humanity, e-mail Darren Tipton at darren@projecthumanity.com)
The content of the story was copywritten by Angelo State University and used by permission.