making a difference... − 9 November, 2006
i just finished reading the book *leaving microsoft to change the world*, by john wood former microsoft exec turned philanthropist and founder of *room to read*. after my travels to india and nepal and experiencing the extreme level of poverty in both countries, i've always felt like i wanted to do something to help the people in these countries especially the children. well, john wood not only felt the need to help these children but was inspired enough to actually leave a secure job at microsoft and started a not for profit organization to help build schools and libraries for the children in third world countries such as nepal, india, cambodia, laos, viet nam, sri lanka and now south africa. i'm sponsoring a little girl in nepal through the *room to grow* program for the price of an ipod. i really admire john wood for all his passion, dedication and commitment to educate children around the world.
tonight i'm going to a fundraiser in san francisco they are going to try to fund a 1000 years of girls' education. i really believe that we all can make a difference in the world even if its just one child at a time. :-)
Comments:
kga245 (November 10, 2006. 03:24am)
excellent. thanks for sharing.
pepero (November 11, 2006. 01:20am)
last night i funded another scholarship for a little girl. one of these days i'd like to set-up an endowment. :-)
kga245 (November 12, 2006. 03:33pm)
how much are scholarships? how do you fund them?
pepero (November 13, 2006. 12:54am)
the scholarships are only $250 for an entire year, quite a bargain since it not only provides the child with a year worth of education but also uniforms, books, school bag, tutors and even a bicycle. you can find more information <A HREF="http://www.roomtoread.org/media/slideshows/girls_scholarship_2004/index.html">here</A>.
you can also call them directly at [415]561-3331 and tell them which country you'd like the scholarship to go to.
kga245 (November 13, 2006. 04:53pm)
Thanks for the tip. I'm going to research them and see what I can contribute too. :-)
pepero (November 14, 2006. 04:54pm)
fantastic! room to read is a really great organization. they are really well managed, have low overhead and 90% of the donations goes directly to the cause. :-)
san (November 22, 2006. 05:06am)
this is the kind of organization and job.. i dream about.. nothing gives more satisfaction than the feeling at the end of the day that you have changed someones life..
pepero (November 22, 2006. 07:03pm)
that's true especially when the person who's life your changing is a child. btw, if you happen to be in the san francisco bay area i believe they are hiring. ;-)