Community Work: Project examples

To get an idea of the Up with People voluntary projects, I looked up a few examples of past community projects.

North America – New Orleans

On August 29, 2005, Huricane Katrina came over New Orleans, with destructive results. At this very moment non-tourist areas still have houses and roads that have not been rebuilt. The government has done too little and New Orleans has become very much dependent on help from community workers. Organisations such as New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity try to fill in this need. Up With People provided a group of 90 people who helped to rebuild a playground and housing for children who lost their homes. Housing that will last for a life time. The attention did not only go to rebuilding, but also to the children. The group performed an extra show, handed out awards to each child and spent time with them. Reactions of the children showed that this kind of voluntary work does indeed have an impact on the spirit of this community.

Belgium – Leuven

Koen Van Mechelen built a 4 meter-high statue together with the Up With People-group and with teenagers from three Belgian youth clubs. The statue is called a CosmoGolem, which symbolizes a helper and savior for children in need. Koen Van Mechelen has built a network of wooden giants over the whole world, which stands for the connection between vulnerable people.

All young people can drop their drawings and texts into the Golem, this will guard their dreams. Sister Jeanne Devos, dedicated to children rights in India, tries to help with dialoguing with these young people. The Golem has traveled with the Up with People cast to Chili, to also reunite youngsters.

The cast, accompanied by Jeanne Devos, visited ill children at Gasthuisberg. These young patients also got the chance to send their wishes with the CosmoGolem. To light up their day, a small performance was given.

At the end of the week, Jeanne Devos received the revenue from the benefit show to support her admirable projects in India.

http://www.jeannedevos.org/

Thailand – Phuket

Several projects are possible in each city, because the group is so large. A smaller project in Phuket was cleaning up a beach that was damaged due to the Tsunami in 2004. After picking up approximately 30 bags of trash, it seemed that no difference was made despite the efforts.
However for the people that live there it does make a difference. When a beach is clean it will hopefully not attract anymore garbage. Perhaps a small project with a small impact, but no less important. Other projects included helping in a local orphanage and simply playing with these children.

America – California

In California a cast worked together with the Stand for Peace Program, which benefits students in the Corcoran Unified School District and Corcoran YMCA after school program. This program teaches youngsters about how to work together, communicate effectively and support tolerance and understanding within their community.

A wide range of projects is undertaken in each city. From housing for a life time to cleaning up garbage on a Tsunami-damaged beach. Every project has a different degree of impact, but every single time people try to make a difference. When someone supports me in going with Up with people, this will result in 6 months of dedicated voluntary work. Every cent goes directly to one of the projects, which can use every extra pair of hands and extra spirit of hope.