Getting to the Other Side of the World
Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 11:30AM
Azula Kennedy
New York, USA
It seems like forever I’d been dreaming of working in developing countries with children and families. Thoughts of this and of my future got intense as my graduate education was coming to a close and the impending threat of hefty student loans were looming overhead. I decided to find an internship in international social work or non-profit administration so I could give international social work a try without having to commit for 2 years to an unsure destination as I would with Peace Corps.
I found VE Global by asking around my University if anyone knew of any good agencies in Africa or South America taking interns. Things with VE started to fall into place so my next task was to make it financially possible; my accelerated graduate program left no time for a paying job. Ever since I’d heard talk of graduation parties I’d been planning a party of my own that would raise awareness and funds for a cause I wanted to support. At that point VE and the children in at-risk situations they serve became that cause.
After consulting VE staff, my professors, and friends in the promoting business, I realized I could hold a fundraiser to buy my plane ticket to Chile; I’d split the proceeds 50/50 between my travel cost and VE directly. Fortunately I had been promoting music acts in my hometown of Albany NY and was an avid live music enthusiast, so I had a lot of friends in bands, in the music business, and just with artists in general. I’d already let my favorite local band, (my headliner), know of my idea to throw a fundraiser and had started banking favors by promoting their shows. I even started branching out on facebook by making new friends, especially people who were well-connected.
Working around the schedule of the 4 largest Albany promoters, the venue, local festivals, and my headliner took an excruciatingly long month! Once I had the date set I invited other bands who fit my theme: jam band meets electronic music. I made sure I got one band from each genre who had a following and offered them gas money and lots of promotion in return for their time. I told newer bands their reward, other than good karma, was exposure at a high profile club. I volunteered at fundraisers, got ideas to incorporate a silent auction and a raffle with the show, and recruited volunteers to: get raffle prizes from local businesses and silent auction items from local artists; make the flyers and posters; promote and co-manage the event with me; and to cook the food for the free buffet.
With a lot of planning, hard work, and the support of my community 300 people attended the $10 cover event with 11 musical acts, over 40 silent auction items, more than 30 raffle items, an art show featuring 4 local artists, a full dinner and desert buffet; all of which grossed $4,600! Not only did I learn a ton but I was able to raise awareness and positivity about what can be done by a community to help children in need on the other side of the world!
Reader Comments (1)
keep it up for the good job doing for humanity.
Williams.
www.glovo.org