Author: Cosmic Volunteers

Global Citizen Festival 2014

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If you are in the New York City are next weekend, consider going to the Global Citizen Festival on September 27, 2014 . The event is an initiative of Global Poverty Project, an international education and advocacy organization working to catalyze the movement to end extreme poverty by 2030.

An Australian grown project, The Global Poverty Project creates campaigns with the purpose of increasing the number of people taking action to end extreme poverty, with the vision of a world without extreme poverty by 2030.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among a dozen world leaders who will attend. There will be music performances by JAY Z, No Doubt, Carrie Underwood, fun., The Roots, Tiësto and more.

We are a bit dubious of Global Citizen’s stated goal of seeing the end of extreme poverty by 2030. And there is the danger of a lip-service-only event, especially when celebrities are involved.

However we like festivals like this because it can sometimes be the next best thing to traveling to places like India and Ghana to volunteer. There are usually expats from different countries at these types of public events — so there are opportunities to at least meet and talk to folks who are different than you. And the more people spend time together for such a positive reason, the more understanding can result.

We also like that Global Citizen talks on their website about domestic poverty. This is a question we get a lot — Why volunteer abroad when there are so many problems back home that you could be helping with.

Global Citizen’s answer is that there are plenty of resources to end poverty both at home and at home. Our answer is similar. In the US in 2012, public charities reported over $1.65 trillion in total revenues. There are over one million registered public charities and private foundations in the US. So I think we’re doing ok back home even while we help other abroad!

 

 

Learn more at www.globalpovertyproject.com

Busting a Pinata in Guatemala

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Ever been at a party where there was a pinata? One of our volunteers in Guatemala had the chance this summer!

Not sure what a pinata is? A pinata is a container made of paper mache filled with candy and/or small gifts that is smashed open during a celebration. In ancient times pinatas were mostly part of religious ceremonies, but today pinatas appear mostly at birthday parties.

Pinata in Guatemala

Most people would associate pinatas with Mexican culture. They would be right, but the tradition of pinatas goes back to ancient Chinese culture. Pinatas landed in Europe in the 14th century, with the Spaniards carrying the practice to Mexico.

Finally, the use of pinatas spread from Mexico to the rest of Latin America and even into the United States. In Philadelphia where Cosmic Volunteers is based, you don’t have to drive more than 15 minutes in most directions to find a store that sells pinatas!

The above photo shows our volunteer Zoe taking a whack at her very own pinata this summer in Guatemala. She had her seventeenth birthday just a couple of days before arriving in Guatemala. Our local Coordinator, Carlos from Zamora Academy, showed us his customary thoughtfulness by presenting Zoe with the pinata for her birthday, during one of our volunteer groups’ nightly social gatherings.

Zoe traveled to Guatemala to spend two weeks volunteering at an orphanage outside of Antigua. She wrote to us:

My time in Guatemala was amazing! I loved being immersed in the culture directly with the host family and getting to see differences and similarities of our cultures.

Here is a look at what Zoe and fellow volunteer Cassie got from the pinata!

Pinata in Guatemala

Ask The Pilot Airport Pillow

Have Pillow, Will Travel. So Long as You’re a Girl

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Author and pilot Patrick Smith has an interesting article on a phenomenon that you may see yourself as you’re flying abroad to your volunteering destination — teenage girls carrying huge pillows for the plane ride

LET’S TALK FOR A MINUTE ABOUT PILLOWS.  I’m vexed and perplexed by the widespread phenomenon of teenage girls carrying giant fluffy pillows onto airplanes. I’m uncertain when exactly this trend got started, but you see it everywhere.

Granted it’s a helpful idea, now that many carriers no longer dispense even tiny, non-fluffy pillows on all but the longest flights.  In a window seat, putting a pillow between your body and the sidewall creates a comfy sleeping surface.

The trouble is, people like me are out of the club.   Grown-up men can’t walk through airports with giant fluffy pillows unless we’re willing to get laughed at.  I’ve seen thousands of girls carrying pillows, but I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a man or boy carrying one.  We’re stuck with those stupid inflatable neck brace things.  The other night I watched a flight boarding for Barcelona.  Like most midsummer flights to Europe, it was loaded with kids between ages 17 and 25.  No fewer than 25 girls had brought oversized pillows from home.  Total count for the guys: zero.

Ghana Cape Coast Castle

Roots Tourism Thrives in Ghana

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CNN had a story about “roots tourism” in Ghana, where visitors to the country learn about the history of slavery.

CNN says that “…This search for” historical truth” has led thousands of visitors to Cape Coast, in Ghana, a picturesque seaside town with stunning blue sea, serene beaches and pastel-colored fishing boats.”

It’s worth a read. Plus CNN has some good links to more of Ghana’s history.