The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
Part of what I've stated for the past three years in a crazy, whacko idea I have of what I want to do, is that I'd love to spend corporate money on social conciousness and responsiblity.
i.e. I don't have a million dollars to donate - so why not go to the people and places where that profit is generated and use those funds to help organizations that are trying to do something BIG for the world.
Well, well, well. Starting small is how we all must start.
Today a client and I chose a project on Kickstarter.com called The Forest for the Trees to sponsor. My client is an expert in the Erosion Control industry in North America and this project sets out to tell Payeng's story of erosion control in India.
The Story?
In the far reaching north east of India, lies the island of Majuli, situated in the middle of the Bramaputra River. Majuli is the worlds largest river island, and is home to the Assamese neo-Vaisnvite indigenous culture. Over the last 100 years, Majuli island has experienced severe soil erosion due to flooding caused by global warming, and has lost over 70% of its landmass. Thousands of homes and farms have had to be abandoned. Today, much of the riverbank is nothing but barren sandbars, and the island is at risk of disappearing.
In the 1970's a local man named Jadab Payeng decided to start planting things to combat the erosion of his island. Over the past 34 years, he has planted an astonishing 1400 acres of forest. This is an area almost twice the size of Central Park in New York City. This new forest, dubbed Molai's Woods is now home to many animals including rhinos, tigers, and elephants.
Payeng lives in a small house he built himself, and has a small subsistence farm. He lives simply. He works not for money or fame, but to protect his environment. His achievement has not come easily. He's had to fight against poachers and was seen as an outcast by local villagers.
We figure that by assisting a project like this to attract awareness towards Payeng's story is the least we can do, when Payeng himself has dedicated his life to this. We are backing the project financially, and have also begun a relationship with the Director that could allow my client to be featured in it, discussing his expertise on erosion control and the industry. It provides a layer of depth to my client's company that we've been searching for. And ultimately, it helps spread good and positivity into the world.
Weeeeeeeeee! Step one.
i.e. I don't have a million dollars to donate - so why not go to the people and places where that profit is generated and use those funds to help organizations that are trying to do something BIG for the world.
Well, well, well. Starting small is how we all must start.
Today a client and I chose a project on Kickstarter.com called The Forest for the Trees to sponsor. My client is an expert in the Erosion Control industry in North America and this project sets out to tell Payeng's story of erosion control in India.
The Story?
In the far reaching north east of India, lies the island of Majuli, situated in the middle of the Bramaputra River. Majuli is the worlds largest river island, and is home to the Assamese neo-Vaisnvite indigenous culture. Over the last 100 years, Majuli island has experienced severe soil erosion due to flooding caused by global warming, and has lost over 70% of its landmass. Thousands of homes and farms have had to be abandoned. Today, much of the riverbank is nothing but barren sandbars, and the island is at risk of disappearing.
In the 1970's a local man named Jadab Payeng decided to start planting things to combat the erosion of his island. Over the past 34 years, he has planted an astonishing 1400 acres of forest. This is an area almost twice the size of Central Park in New York City. This new forest, dubbed Molai's Woods is now home to many animals including rhinos, tigers, and elephants.
Payeng lives in a small house he built himself, and has a small subsistence farm. He lives simply. He works not for money or fame, but to protect his environment. His achievement has not come easily. He's had to fight against poachers and was seen as an outcast by local villagers.
Will McMaster is committed to doing a documentary short on this project that aims to capture Payengs way of life, hear the story of his struggle to create the forest, and see the glorious end result. What kind of person dedicates themselves to such a cause? What motivates him? What are his thoughts about how we treat the environment? These are all questions Will hopes to answer. This project will help Payeng get the recognition he deserves, but more importantly, it will help to raise awareness of this fragile, beautiful, and quickly disappearing region.
Weeeeeeeeee! Step one.
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