A Big Idea

We love big ideas here at Blooma! Without big ideas, there wouldn't be a Blooma :-) So when our friends embark on their own big ideas, the least we can do is send good vibes their way and help spread the love by sharing the news. Check out this big, amazing idea from Angela Herlofsky:

Hi Friends.
Well, I have recently taken on the biggest challenge of my life. An organization called 'Off the Mat into the World', started by Seane Corn, one of my very best favorite Yogi's, has put out a challenge that I couldn't resist.

The Challenge: Raise $20,000 by December 31st.

For who? 90% for the Cambodian Children's Fund, 10% for Off the Matt.

The reward: To be a part of the mission trip to Cambodia, to work with children in the 5 orphanages created by The Cambodain Children's Fund; to make a significant donation to the fund to change the lives of children, forever. As a group we will be bringing over $500,000 to this community. The money will go directly to the children in the form of being able to take in more children, providing them housing, food, education, life skills, and culture. Also, our money will go towards giving the community a well with clean water.

Why these Children? Why this organization?
If you know the history of Cambodia, you know that the genocide that occurred there wiped out the upper class of Cambodian society, in hopes of having an easier time controlling the poor class. The children here are the descendants of that poor class. They are some of the most poverty-stricken in the world, most are hungry, many suffer abuse and neglect. Some sell their bodies for food. These children work in the garbage dump for 12+ hours a day to make 30-50 cents a day. It's the mission of the CCF to literally go into the dumps, and get children to come and live in the orphanages. Many of them are not orphans at all, but since they support their families, it can be a challenge for the organization to convince families to sacrifice the income for their child's future. This is part of the work.

The other aspect of this journey is that it includes Leadership Training. OTM is looking for people in the Yoga community to rise up as leaders to form a community to continue to do amazing work like this in the future. It is just a beginning. It will be an amazing learning opportunity for me to learn skills, and make connections that will foster a future of humanitarian work.

As my friends and colleagues, I will be asking for your support in the next several months. I will need help with many things. Part of the reason I took on this challenge is that I know that I have an amazing group of people around me. I am very blessed. If you know me, you know that this is totally out of my comfort zone. I hate selling things, and I hate asking for things. After watching the video of these children, I know that they can't advocate for themselves. They can't. I can. I can do this. But I need your help too.

I welcome your support in many ways. I have some ideas in the works, but if you know of a way I can raise some cash, I am open to all ideas. I may even be forming a support/action circle, so if you want to be involved in that, let me know.

Thank-you for listening, and I thank-you for your love and support.

Much love,
Angela Herlofsky
aherlofsky AT msn DOT com