Thank you mate. Really appreciate it. I will try and summarize what I said.
So. I started my part time MBA at a university in Germany. And the first week was a fund raising challenge. We were split into teams of 4-5, totaling to 26 teams. The uni partnered with this organisation
SaveTheChildren. This is what they do.
All across the globe, children are dying from preventable causes, missing out on education due to poverty or gender, suffering from violence, exploitation and neglect, and are vulnerable in times of crisis. In every corner of the world, children need a strong voice to stand up for them, work on their behalf and make their lives better.
Save the Children is the voice for vulnerable children. We’re on the ground in 120 countries, working to reach every last child through international programs that focus on health, education, protection and disaster relief. Together, we’re changing children’s lives and the future we all share.
The 2018 financial review show the following.
For us students, the working days was split into 5 different modules and each day we were presented a challenge and we had to come up with a strategy on how we intend on achieving the challenge of the day. But in the grand scheme of things, it was aimed at collecting donations - online and offline. And because it was a challenge, the 26 teams (later reduced to 25) were competing with each other to come up with strategies and ideas that got them the most donations, not just in terms of money, but also in terms of number of donations. In the end, my team managed about €1090 euros in donations (from some 40 donations) - online and offline. And our cohort managed to get 83k euros. Yes. Eighty three thousand euros. So it was worth it. I felt good about doing what I did to be a part of a cohort that got us to that number.
As for me, this initiative really moved me. I got involved in animal shelters in 2006 (when I was 19) after I learnt of some of the ways the cats and dogs were ill treated and abused. It really moved me and I sought solace by working as a part time volunteer in an animal shelter. This week was exactly the same, except that now, its about the kids. Its really sad that people would target kids' vulnerability and innocence just to fulfill their pockets, ego, fetishes, satisfaction. Kids should have a free space around them, where they are showered with love, care and affection and enable them nurture their creativity and learning without any external negative influence. This is where organisations like STC and UNICEF come in.
And 24/7 told me in PM, our purpose on earth, as adults, is to make this world a little better place to our kids. Not just ours, but also other's kids. We are here for a short period of time. And we should strive and work to make the world a little better place when we leave. Thats our true legacy beyond our physical lives.
As to this challenge, thanks to the RAWK mods for allowing something like this on the forum. Not many forums were receptive of this when I posted there. Thanks for all the donations if you donated to this last week. If you didnt, I am happy that you are atleast aware of this dire situation that some adults would harm other's kids for their own gain.
And lastly, what I learnt from this fundraiser...
1. It doesnt matter to whom or even if you donate. As long as you do something for a genuine cause, keep doing it. It doesnt have to be monetary. It could be even volunteering.
2. Personally, I intend on doing some private fundraisers for different purposes that this world could do better with. However small the donations are. They go to a good cause.
3. In the recent history, the world is being torn apart with polarised geopolitics and selfish desires. Doing something that keeps your mind off such things, certainly helps spread some positivity.
4. Have fun doing fundraisers. It is for a good cause - animal welfare, children, afforestation, climate change and other causes. Believe in something and be an active player in it.