Many of the students at Quinnipiac have been very privileged and fortunate to grow up the way they have, with a stockpile of incredible opportunities waiting for them (us) around every corner. Unfortunately, sometimes this live of privilege can lead to a sense of ignorance about how the majority of people in this world live. Sometimes, we fail to recognize the lack of opportunity available to others.
The reality is this: many people, globally, live harsh lives that most Quinnipiac students would be hard-pressed to imagine. Children and teenagers are forced into marriages; many never get the chance to receive an education; others, still, are forced into the brutal world of sex slavery.
It is important that we give back to those in need in any way that we can, whether it be with money, support or even our time. It is important that we are able to comprehend just how much every second, every penny and every hug counts.
Check out these charitable brands and movements that are working to help women and girls across the globe:
Kate Spade: On Purpose
Kate Spade New York has partnered with women artisans of Masoro, Rwanda to develop a rewards program. The artisans create everything from beautiful bangles to hand-knit beanies for African men. This has helped the women to develop a business in their communities that not only helps the 20,000 citizens but also gives them a chance to experience the global market. Buying a piece from this collection will not only help you make a fashion statement, but it will also change a community forever! Follow the links below to purchase one of the beautiful pieces:
The Empowerment Plan: Saving Homeless Women One Coat at a Time
Veronika Scott started the Empowerment Plan at only 20 years old while working as a product design student in Detroit. Her nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping the homeless community. The organization mainly hires homeless parents from local shelters to work full-time as seamstresses. The seamstresses design coats that transform into sleeping bags. These coats are then distributed to the homeless at no cost! The manufactured coats are not only distributed to people in Detroit but also all over the country.
The Empowerment Plan will appreciate any donation given, but a donation of $100 will guarantee a coat will go to an individual who is desperately in need. If you are interested in donating to this cause, check it out here.
Teach English in a Foreign Country
Teaching English in a foreign country may seem like a simple task with limited results, but that could not be farther from the truth. Granting a woman or girl the opportunity to learn English could make the difference between her getting a job to provide for her family or never escaping poverty and continuing to live a life of oppression. Learning English opens many doors for those in foreign countries, exposing them to career opportunities, better health and the chance to study in a foreign country.
If you are looking for a rewarding spring or summer vacation, or are maybe even thinking about taking a year off after graduation, teaching English abroad is an excellent decision. It is a rewarding opportunity to not only help your students but to also gain purpose for yourself. For more information, look into programs like InterExchange and Room to Read.
The Half the Sky Movement
The 2009 best-selling book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide encourages readers to help prevent the oppression of women worldwide. I read this book over my 2014 winter break and was moved by the remarkable stories presented by women who had escaped extreme poverty for something as simple as a penny a day. Reading this book completely changed my view on life and what it means to be a woman. I encourage everyone to read this book, especially if you are a woman in college.
The novel stresses that women hold up half the sky, and unless they are empowered, the world will never fully progress. I encourage you to visit their website and find a way to help support someone right here in America or someone 1,000 miles away. It is important to remember that any form of support makes a difference.
The opportunity to succeed is such an important part of life. Unfortunately, many people across the world find great difficulty in escaping a life of poverty and misfortune. Because of this, it is important that we try to help someone in need.
Life is such a beautiful thing, and every person should have the chance to experience it to the fullest extent. Since it is a new year, this is the perfect time to do good, no matter how small, and make a big impact on another person’s life! Get out there and do it, Bobcats!