Attention Visionaries: These 7 New Year’s Resolutions Could Change the World
The New Year brings with it a new set of accountability, purpose, and a fresh commitment to doing better. At The Pollination Project, we believe in the power of people, so we invest in them — in you. In your dreams, your plans, your projects. That’s why every single day we give small grants to do-gooders around the globe who work to bring change to their communities, creating more just and sustainable systems for every individual. Our first batch of grantees for 2019 is proof-positive that when we support one another’s visions — sharing resources and thus spreading kindness — we can build a global movement of compassion. Here are 7 New Year’s resolutions that we are honored to support.
1. Create an overdue national conversation around child abuse
In Washington, D.C., one activist is making sure that there is a national conversation around protecting survivors of child abuse. The National Center for Child Abuse Statistics and Policy (NCCASP) reduces violence against children by spreading innovation in law, technology, and the social sciences across jurisdictional lines. The Pollination Project grant supports NCCASP’s campaign to protect child torture victims in the United States, specifically through supporting the wide publication and dissemination of a report entitled “NCCASP’s 2019 Protecting Child Torture Victims.” “Because the US is a patchwork quilt of laws and each state has its own, sometimes things get missed,” said the grant-recipient, Ann Ratnayake Macy. “Eighteen states don’t have laws which address child torture. We’re working to spotlight the issue.”
2. Provide employment opportunities for socially-excluded women in Camaroon
In Camaroon, the Green Micro-Enterprises for Fulanis Project seeks to transform the lives of socially excluded and low-income women in rural areas within Cameroon from social exclusion to social inclusion — and from poverty to prosperity — while conserving the ecosystems on which they depend for livelihood. “Through this work, I want to provide viable alternative employment opportunities for low-income and socially excluded Mbororo women from four villages in Foto-Dschang,” said Aghah Valery Binda. “I intend to initiate a business model for Mbororo women of four key villages around Foto-Dschang by building their capacity in sustainable vegetable-farming.” The project will educate 40 rural women about collective entrepreneurship through organic commercial kitchen gardening.
3. Foster leadership skills and promote self-care in the Mayauali Indigenous youth community
In a coastal community of Nicaragua, Milena Rodriguez is developing the Mayauali Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. Through this program, Rodriguez aims to revitalize identity, autonomy, and cultural expression, and to bring the community of Salinas de Nahualapa together by promoting positive leadership in their youth. “I envision a world where people come together in a circle of love to grow, co-create, and cherish each other and our planet. I’m thrilled to be guiding youth in my country to flourish and cultivate curiosity, creativity, and interconnectedness.”
4. Address world hunger by encouraging middle school students to grow sustainable Hydroponic Plant Towers
A Grounded Lesson For Our Future project teaches middle school science students about growing crops with limited soil and no pesticides using a Hydroponic Plant Tower. After harvesting vegetables, the students will donate them to a local food bank. “My number one goal is to teach real-world concepts to my students,” says project leader Heather Sevier. “I also want them to put down their cell phones and learn about the world around them. I am motivated by students being compassionate, and I want them to always remember that the greatest joy can be found in helping others.”
5. Restore indigenous wisdom in order to create ecologically thriving communities
Earth Freedom Collective is a decentralized network of cooperative buildings and urban/rural eco-villages for racial and economic justice, community health, and climate resilience. Their work centers on creating ecologically and spiritually thriving communities through the construction of urban eco-neighborhoods and rural eco-villages. They carry a shared vision for restoring indigenous wisdom and creating abundance for all. “Our team is composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color and allied organizers committed to community resilience and Earth regeneration,” reports Liyanna Sadowsky, Daisy Ozim, and Lucy O’leary. “All of us are deeply impacted by the suffering of our fellow people under extractive capitalism, and have come together to realize our lifelong dreams of building alternative Earth-based spiritual, social and economic systems.”
6. Strengthen the economic capacities for refugees with disabilities in Rwanda
In Kigali, Rwanda, Initiative for Refugees with Disabilities (IRD) was initiated by Angelo Ebengo Muzaliwa — together with refugees with disabilities, parents and caregivers of refugee children with disabilities, and activists in the refugee community. Muzaliwa is now spearheading the Sewing Project for Refugees with Disabilities, which aims to strengthen the economic capacities of 5 RWDs in order to provide a means of self-reliance as well as create social support among the members. “We will buy five sewing machines and all necessary equipments to add to the three machines,” explains Muzaliw. “My permanent compassion for people with disabilities in general, and RWDs in particular, motivates me to do this work.”
7. Build an inclusive and affirming space for LGBTQ communities within ecology workshops
The Building Queer Community at Permaculture Convergence — started by the Queer Magic Crew & Queer Resilience Squad — will work alongside prominent environmental organizations in Northern California to create and facilitate LGBTQ-affirming safer spaces and offer Queer Ecologies workshops. “We will be increasing inclusion in these conferences (Permaculture Convergence and Bioneers Conference) by organizing a cohort of LGBTQ young adults from fire-impacted areas (Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Shasta counties), who will be collaborators in creating these spaces and leading these workshops,” explain the organizers. “When climate disaster strikes, the impacts are not felt equally: LGBTQ people, especially QTBIPOC, are among those communities hit first and worst. But our communities also have long histories of healing, resilience, and resistance, giving us deep knowledge of what it takes to change, transition, and survive.”
Do you have a project working to address the inequities in the world? We’d love to hear your story of resilience and community partnership. Consider applying for a $1,000 seed grant from The Pollination Project.
