Please Help Us Save Chandradasa!

January 28, 2015 by YaiZa

If you had the chance to save someone’s life, would you take it? The One Chance Project has been working hard to raise funds to save Chandradasa’s life. This Sri Lankan man has two massive tumors in his eyes and needs an urgent operation in order to survive, followed by a  reconstructive surgery. Chandra is a father of three and lives in extremely poor conditions. He has never been able to afford the medical care he so desperately needs and […]

Categories: Uncategorized

Homeless in Puerto Rico

October 4, 2014 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales Cars zoom past the bridge near the “Placita de Santurce” as they enter Condado, one of the most touristic areas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He sits peacefully on his humble chair, a rusty can of Export Soda Crackers. Alone under a tree, accompanied by an accumulation of personal belongings, the place he calls his temporary home. People look the other way and roll their eyes as they drive by. “Another homeless person in San Juan,” […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: alcoholism, begging, drugs, home, homeless, job, Perla de Gran Precio, Placita de Santurce, Puerto Rico, Racúm, San Juan, Santurce, shelters, street

The Invisible Street Children of Nepal

March 16, 2014 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales As my plane flew over the all mighty Himalayas, I was mesmerized by their power. Enthralled by the endless rugged peaks below me, I looked forward to my arrival in Nepal, a country famous for its spiritual wealth and natural beauty. Bright smiles and a colorful culture welcomed me with a warm “Namaste,” and my first few days were filled with fascination and excitement. It wasn’t long before I began to notice the darkness that hung […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: abuse, alcoholism, alone, beg, child labor, Children, children's rights, CWIN, glue sniffing, Himalayas, homeless, hungry, Kathmandu, kids, Nepal, orphans, Pokhara, poverty, runaways, shelter, starving, street, street children, The Protection and Rehabilitation Center for Street Children in Pokhara

VAVA and THE FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE: Seeking Justice for the Victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam

January 16, 2014 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales According to History, the U.S. War in Vietnam started in 1959 and ended in 1975, but more than fifty years later, its horrifying effects physically permeate in the daily lives of millions of Vietnamese people. This is due to the 80 million liters of Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals that were sprayed by the U.S. military in Southern Vietnam from 1961 to 1971. What exactly is Agent Orange? It is an herbicide that contains extremely […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Agent Orange, birth defects, cancer, chemical war, deformities, Dioxin, Director Dong, disease, Dow, George Mizo, Hanoi, herbicide, justice, medical supplies, military, Monsanto, Mr. Nguyen Minh Y, peace, suffering, The Vietnam Friendship Village, U.S. War in Vietnam, United States, Vava, veterans, victims, Vietnam, Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam, Vietnam War, Vietnamese, Village

DEWA KUMARA: Making a Difference in Bali

November 16, 2013 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales Dewa Kumara, otherwise known as “Kum,” is one of the kindest and happiest souls I’ve ever met during my travels.  A well-known and respected Reggae singer in the city of Ubud in Bali, Kum does much more than grace those he meets with his enchanting voice. As he once told me,“ My offering is to bring happiness or peace to people’s hearts through my music or in any other way that I can.” Through his thoughtful […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: autism, Bali, Blind, CP Lounge, Dewa Kumara, Kum, Orphanage, Panti Asuhan Kesayan Ikang Papa, Special Needs, Ubud, Valentine's event, Yayasan Panti Guna Dria Raba, Yayasan Senang Hati

The Lucky Ones: Meeting the Elephants at Elephant Nature Park

October 1, 2013 by YaiZa

Written by Alexandra Mainka Stepping off the plane in Chiang Mai, Thailand, it’s almost impossible to ignore the copious ads for elephant camps and shows around the area. Each one promises a better “elephant experience” than then next. We however, had landed here with a different idea on how to get to know these wondrous pachyderms: a trip to the Elephant Nature Park where you can volunteer or simply visit for the day to help. Unlike the elephant trekking camps […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: animal cruelty, bathing, Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park, elephant trekking, elephants, feeding, Lek Chailert, pachyderms, responsible tourism, Thailand, tourism, travel

DAUGHTERS RISING; Fighting Against the Sex Trafficking Nightmare in Thailand

September 10, 2013 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales When you think of Thailand, what comes to mind? Is it Elephants, tigers, and long necked tribe women? Or do pristine beaches, and Pad Thai come to mind? Do you ever associate it with prostitution and sex trafficking? Did you know that Thailand is considered the sex trafficking hub of the world? Well, unfortunately it is. Ironically, prostitution is illegal in this country. Yet little girls and young women are trafficked every single day! What is sex trafficking? […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Alexa Pham, Burma, cambodia, Chai Lai Eco Resort, Chiang Mai, Daughters Rising, education, injustice, modern day slavery, prostitution, Sex Trafficking, Thailand, The One Chance Project, workshops

THE CAMBODIAN CHILDREN’S FUND: From Landfill to Land of Hope

July 3, 2013 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales. Rushing out of Siem Reap was no joke. We nearly missed our bus to Phnom Penh! Then, kept our fingers crossed that we’d make it on time to meet Scott Neeson, founder and director of The Cambodian Children’s Fund. When our bus finally arrived, we hailed a “tuk tuk” and sped off, nearly paddling through a sea of flooded streets in order to reach our destination. We made it just in time! A very humble and […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: cambodia, Children, community, education, NGO, Phnom Phen, Scott Neeson, sponsors

ANJALI HOUSE: Offering Street Children a New Outlook on Life

June 20, 2013 by YaiZa

Written by Yaiza Morales Anjali is a Sanskrit word meaning “offerings,” and here we were on our way to Anjali House, to present them with donations, or offerings. This non-profit organization, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, supports street children through education, healthcare, and the arts.  Unfortunately, many children in Cambodia have to work the streets selling flowers, bracelets, books, or anything they can, to help feed their families. It is their crude reality. This country has been shaken by its […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: arts, cambodia, Children, donations, education, photography, rice, school supplies, Siem Reep