- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Zarese Kishyaleftski hasn't added a story.
We have met the online goal, now I just need a few extra dollars because I forgot about the terrible exchange rate - the extra we need is $190. Let's do this!
All I want for Christmas… is for some deserving Lao families to have one.
I had an idea. I hope you’ll agree it’s a good one.
What I'm asking: "... give up receiving or buying a few presents, so that I can present some families living in rural Laos with some basic, but life changing items."
[Please note: Fundrazr takes 4% in fees for the donation you make. So, if you want 100% of the money you donate to get to Laos... you have the option of donating the extra little bit when it asks you... or you can donate directly to me by 'send money' if you already have a PayPal account, just put in my email address: zarese.k@gmail.com]
As most of you may know from my attempted comedic Facebook posts, I have been living in Laos since mid-2012. I’ve volunteered my time and skills in marketing and fundraising with two organisations. The first being COPE (www.copelaos.org) and I’m currently working with Lao Red Cross (www.laoredcross.org.la). Both have been fantastic places to work, and I have learnt a lot about what this country needs to grow and prosper, the beauty and kindness of Lao people and, I’ve also learnt a lot about myself and all of the unnecessary material things that I don’t need.
This year in the lead up to Christmas I thought about the fact that I really don’t need anything. I thought about asking my close friends and family to donate to me what they would have spent so instead I could donate some items to communities here in Laos.
Then I thought, well actually, maybe other people would think this is a good idea and want to get on board too. So I wanted to ask you and everyone I know, to give up receiving or buying a few presents, so that I can present some families living in rural Laos with some basic, but life changing items. I won’t go on forever about it, but the fact is people here are poor. Really poor. They need items like blankets, because they don’t have any. The kids don't get to play sport because they don't have any balls to play with. It makes me sad.
I know that many people often won’t donate to charity because they don’t know where their money is really going. Here’s my solution: I will accept your donations and because I am here on the ground in Laos, I will be able to deliver your donation straight to the recipients. I will also record the entire process – shopping for items, travelling to the villages, and distributing the items to families. So you can see exactly what the conditions are like, and just how grateful the families are to receive some things they really need.
I intend to donate the items to the Lao Red Cross Bokeo office, which is in the north of the country. They will help me distribute the goods to needy villages in that province. I plan to do this at the end of November (because it starts to get cold there, and a friend and I are heading that way).
My fundraising goal is $3000 and will provide the below items to approximately 20 households.
- Blankets and mats (in the cold season Bokeo can experience below freezing temperatures)
- Mosquito nets (to prevent Malaria/Dengue)
- Toys and sports equipment ('cause it’s Christmas!)
- Books, pencils and learning charts (because education is key to development)
- Hygiene products such as washing detergent and soap (to ensure sanitation and therefore, good health).
Where is Bokeo? Check out the map below (#2). On a bus, it takes 25 hours to get there from where I am living in Vientiane!
I really hope you’ll donate today, to change the life of someone you’ll probably never meet but who will be eternally grateful for your kindness.
Lots of love
Zarese xo
(otherwise known as 'Sali' in Lao, which means corn in English)
Lao friends - you are more than welcome to donate physical goods to me in person (second hand clothes, books and other items from the list)
Questions? Want to donate something not on the list? Please email me - zarese.k@gmail.com
*Please note: I will be funding my travel to the province out of my own pocket to make sure all your donations go towards paying for the items the families will receive.
Perks
Highlights
See all activity36Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.