#newsdgs

[globaltassels]

Quality Education 4 All

It’s graduation season! Hard work in the classrooms and late night study sessions have come down to every Seniors’ big day: Graduation. Seeing all the wonderful pictures of the new graduating class and reflecting on my own memories of last year’s commencement stir great emotion. It is a huge accomplishment to receive a college diploma. The knowledge that you gain, experiences that help mold you, and the opportunities that are available all come with that achievement. Yet, it is disheartening to know that not everyone is granted a chance to pursue higher education. In turn, so many miss out on great opportunities and their measure of possibilities are diminished.

The founding of Global Tassels is inspired by this very issue. In developing countries, children and young adults are deprived of quality education. Poverty-stricken communities lack funding and basic resources to properly care for their youth and facilitate adequate education. This creates a major gap to the individual’s primary and professional development, which then leads them to trickle back into poverty. The solution is to counter poverty with the very thing it affects. We have to reverse the script and empower others to seek change. Global Tassels’ focus on education as a key to end global poverty shows how knowledge truly is powerful.

Our mission is to provide college education opportunities for underprivileged youth with leadership qualities living in the developing world and to support local community based organizations with programs related to poverty reduction.

Being more knowledgeable makes you better equipped to face challenges, find solutions, and apply your skills universally. Our mission is to provide that key in order for an individual to unlock their full potential. It is not enough to know how education can eradicate poverty but to put that reality into play. With Global Tassels’ Project AIR, Project KIN, and Project LIT, all bases are covered. Meaning, not only are we passionate about opening doors to higher education, but also integrating both the primary level and vocational training.  

Global Tassels pushes its mission forward in alliance to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for New Development.  We join the many individuals and organizations in support of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that has been set in place, with a particular focus on Goal 4: Quality Education. 

Our Projects both reflect and act upon the targets of this goal. Joining the fight to end poverty and being a part of this much needed conversation reflects the importance of the SDGs in creating a better global community. Education is not a singular tool in the fight to end poverty but the most important. It is what links the other SDGs together as well as creates an efficient solution to the problem.

When I look at my graduation photo and reflect on my academic career, I want everyone else in the world to experience that feeling. Quality education should be practiced and accessible to all. As fresh graduates and global citizens, we have a responsibility to share our gift of education. This is the generation that will push change in the right direction. We need to integrate the disadvantaged back into the global community in order to solve the issue of poverty. Education is the foundation to the building blocks of life. Providing the proper tools will help in creating something great, something that can uplift the individual as well as the community they thrive in.

[globaltassels]

Engage in Unity

“It was my first visit to the Love and Hope Orphanage. I didn't know what to expect, but as our vehicle was driving into the yard, I heard the children singing in Creole. I did not understand the words, but the melody was of "pure innocence" which touched my soul. Then, I saw the children and I was amazed at the difference in ages and genders. I wanted to communicate with them directly, but they only understood Creole and someone had to translate for me; I asked their names, their ages and what they would like to be when they grow up. I got different answers of course. As the visit ended and I looked at the children, I realized that saying goodbye was going to be a challenge (even now I am getting emotional). I hugged each of them and at the same time wondered when was the last time these kids hugged their mom and dad, if they remembered at all. As one little boy hugged me and held onto me, I had to grit my teeth so not to scream, but the tears began to flow. It was a solemn departure. Back at our residence later that night, Elvin and I had to comfort each other as we both cried for our little orphans. It was memorable as I had never visited an orphanage prior to my visit to Haiti, and looking at the children they seem so fragile and vulnerable that you feel compel to protect them, but at the same time resources are needed for the long-term goal. We are a work in progress and they are counting on us to help and we are committed to helping them.” -Vesta T. Washington 

Humanity is what connects us to one another. Empathy, the ability to connect emotionally and understand, is part of what makes that connection possible. In a world that at times, seem to lack empathy, we must be that of which restores it. It’s a responsibility to others to fill their void, restore hope, and treat them as how we would want to be treated. As Vesta said, “they are counting on us.” 

At Global Tassels we share the idea of “being the change.” Most importantly, we see the significance of being so, as a community. GT has an amazing team at the Community Engagements department that works tirelessly to ensure that GT’s mission is put into work. Vesta T. Washington, the Vice President of Community Engagements, shares what GT does and how to get involved.

“Community Engagements is responsible for developing, managing and executing the GT community affairs strategic plan.”

From global volunteers, mentoring program, internships, community services, local organization partnerships, and the GT KIN (Kids-In-Need) project, Community Engagements has a lot on their hands. However, it is a job that is vital to the organization. This department is the matchmaker that links GT’s relationship to its global community partner organizations. As the relationship grows, our program countries are able to share the benefits of projects like KIN.

CC: Communities Take Intention and Engagement by Brian Solis Via Flickr: by @briansolis, author of What's the Future of Business, www.wtfbusiness.com

GT not only wants to be the change, but to have that change go into a ripple effect. The relationships built with other community organizations are to ensure that this change spreads. Impacting these organizations with focuses in community services provide others with the opportunity to be aware of global issues and seek to change them. The students in our program will have a better grasp of their responsibilities and access the resources to fulfill these duties in their perspective countries.  

A “community” is not subjective to a particular place, with a limited amount of people. That is why GT is a global-based organization, targeting global-minded individuals, with educational initiatives.

“We are focusing our efforts on the New Sustainable Development Goals (New SDGs) with our community partners, this can be achieved by either implementing a new initiative or enhance/continue with a project already in place. Needless to say, we will be involved.”

I was scrolling through my social media feed when I saw someone upload a picture of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with “#GOALS” as the caption. Not long after, there was another couple’s picture with the same caption, and another, and another…well, it went on for a while. When the UN announced the New SDGs, I said, “THIS. This is actual goals, people.” Sure, we get caught up in the superficial hoopla fed to us by the media, but then we are brought back into circulation with the world by educating ourselves with global issues that really affect us as a whole. GT’s efforts in implementing the New SDGs continue the mission we so believe in, not only for us, but also for everyone else.

I know that you (yes YOU reading this) want to join forces and take on the New SDGs with us. Global Tassels needs more awesome global-minded thinkers like you. Vesta, and all of us at GT, would be happy to have more mentors and volunteers. 2017 will be a big year for GT, because our students will be making their way here! As excited as we are for the future of our GT Student Leaders, we need help making their transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Whether you want to make a donation, volunteer, or simply seek more information about GT, our website has all the details you might need. The little steps matter when trying to make an impact. Let others know about GT and consider you and I partners in change. You can make an impact from the comfort of your home, from thousands of feet in the air, and even while you travel to other countries. No matter who or where you are, an impact can be made. Smile at someone instead of just passing them by. Pay for the next person’s cup of coffee. Compliment a stranger. Share the love and I promise, it does more than you can imagine. This world is a community, engage in it.