"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."-Albert Einstein
I was so pleased to come home and read the most wonderful letter from my niece, Ally Elizabeth Armijo. I had no idea about many of her accomplishments. It makes this uncle proud. I am doing my 'online part' to spread the word. She wrote:
I have been selected to represent the United States in an international volunteer work program this summer, along with thousands of other Participants from universities throughout North America and Europe.
I am committed to a minimum of 120 hours of volunteer work in a social community development project in Thailand.
Participants from universities across the nation will travel to their host countries and divide into smaller volunteer groups. Every volunteer project is coordinated and supervised by a host organization (governmental and non-governmental) in the country where we will be working. International Student Volunteers, Inc. coordinates this volunteer program.
www.isvonline.org
I will be working in a social community development program in Thailand. This experience will broaden my cultural awareness and allow me to invest in the lives of disadvantaged people, including children. Our team will live within the local community and gain hands-on, practical experience in areas such as teaching English, constructing homes and/or coummunity facilities and developing recreational programs fro children. We will receive a valuable education in the socio-economic challenges of those who live in developing countries.
I am seeking contributions to International Student Volunteers, Inc. to help cover the expenses of this Program for a single Participant. There are two ways to contribute:
1. By sponsoring the Participant directly with a monetary gift (not tax-deductible)
2. By sending a donation for $120 ($1.00 for every volunteer hour worked) or ANY amount to support the ISV Program (tax-deductible) within the limits of the law for sponsors who file taxes in the USA. ISV must receive donations by March 14, 2009 (75 days before my date of departure), which is 75 days prior to my departure to Thailand (May 28, 2009).
May I count on your sponsorship for this exciting and worthwhile program that changes lives? If so, please complete the coupon, sign where indicated and mail the coupon back to me along with your contribution. I look forward to hearing from you regarding your support for my ISV Program.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ally Armijo
This Coupon Must Accompany Your Donation
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Participant's Name: ALLY ARMIJO ISV ID# 91736
Address: 328 Magnolia Drive, Alameda, CA, 94502
Phone: (510)407-7946
E-mail: Allye23@aol.com
School: Sacramento State University
Phone: (916)278-3625
Sponsor to Complete this Portion:
Sponsor's Name: __________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
E-mail: ___________________________________________________
Amount: $ ____________ Check #:______________________
Please make your check payable to INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS, Inc. (or ISV).
The participant's name must NOT appear on the check, NOT EVEN IN THE MEMO.
Please complete this coupon and sign where indicated.
MAIL donation to the Participant who will send it to the ISV USA office.
Your donation to ISV is tax-deductible within the limits of the law for those who file their taxes in the USA and is NOT refundable or transferable even if Participant is unable or chooses not to participate in the ISV Program. The ISV Cancellation policy and travel/trip cancellation insurance DOES NOT apply to tax-deductible donations. The ISV Federal Tax ID# (EIN) is 95-3805759.
Signed by: _____________________________________________
Dated: __________________________________________________
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Ally continued with these words:
I have many years of experience working with children but to take my teaching to Thailand and help their community learn and expand would be the most rewarding experience.
I have had the privilege to work with the BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of San Francisco for the past four summers. I've contributed by providing a creative, fun and supportive outdoor experience in a safe environment for youth ages seven to fourteen. All of which who are low-income families all over the Bay Area. These children lack role models at home and the majority of the children are growing up through the foster system.
After I return from Thailand, I plan to attend another summer at Camp Mendocino where I can share what I've learned with the children helping them learn and understand how other children live in other countries.
My junior and senior year in high-school I was an assistant pre-school teacher for the Alameda Pre-School located at Alameda High. I had the responsibility of making sure the pre-school was clean and ready for activities the children could partake in. I planned the whole graduation with help from two other student helpers. We taught the children songs to sing for their families and even created a video to show their parents. We even created a booklet of every child as a gift for the parents. By the end of my senior year I was rewarded as the most outstanding senior for Careers with children.
I am also currently volunteering at Ethel Baker Elementary School. It is one of Sacramento's lowest income schools. I have been a tutor and mentor to children who are falling behind in class. I have the privilege of working with kindergartner's individually for one on one work. In the past three months I've volunteered over fifty hours while attending Sacramento State full-time where I plan on getting a teaching degree. I want to take my teaching and go further to learn about other countries and cultures. Thailand is just the start. Since this is a volunteer program I have to pay my way there. I have some money saved up and continue to save, but I am hoping to raise more than half of the costs. It would mean a lot if you would kindly donate to the ISV (International Student Volunteer) by helping me experience a whole new world. Your donations would be helping a greater cause. I will be home from school from December 15th through January 25th and am willing to do odd jobs to raise money for the trip.
Also, if you know anyone who would be willing to donate on my account please spread the word through your friends, family or even colleagues. Thank you so much for even considering donating! It would mean a lot to me but ultimately think of the people in Thailand whose lives I will be changing with the help of your donation!
Twenty-five years ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Paloma!
Right after my usual work day and a quick freshening up at home I drove to Leslie Fonseca's apartment. We had our planned date to see "Nosferatu" at the UC Theater in Berkeley.
As I drove I was recollecting the happenings of the day. In the morning I saw Debbie Honcik who is now working in Downtown Oakland as an Engineering Aid. She seems happy. I was surprised that Barbara Reynolds was mad at me and Salima because we were talking & laughing with one another when the workload and volume of incoming calls was quite high. Barbara had this "don't touch me" attitude and look on her face. I avoided her the rest of the day.
Salima and I ate lunch together at the greasy "HOME PLATE" joint, discussing Barbara's 'crazy way'. I also asked Salima's opinion of Juanita Lane whose attitude seemed so odd (just because I didn't get her a Christmas gift?).
Suzy Miller called me but I did not have a chance to return her call because I was out on the date with Leslie "and her baby"! Yes, she brought the baby along! The movie was 'okay' even though Leslie had to leave the theater twice because the baby started to pout. How unusual for a baby to feel fidgety while watching "Nosferatu".
Hilarious.
I do think Leslie really likes me but she seems kind of young and immature in some ways. She has a 16-month old baby girl that I am just not so sure about. I drove them home and we talked in front of her home while in my car. We smiled and talked about one another and when we might see each other again. I also played with her little girl who had a cute smile. I kissed the little girl good-night but I didn't kiss Leslie. Last night, I did kiss Leslie good-night.
Upon my arrival back to my home I called Kevin Ward, a customer that I spoke to today. He works for "Scott's Models" as a photographer and agent. He was very informative about the business. He said I had to be 5'11" to 6' and a 40R jacket size. I guess I meet those 'high-fashion' qualifications because I am 5'11" and a 40R.
"A lot of modeling has to do with timing," Kevin said.
He said he was working on a fashion show scheduled for January 15, 1984 at The Galleria in San Francisco. He wants to meet with me and said he'd call be tomorrow. If not, he said we'd see about meeting on Saturday (?). I called Helen for her opinion on Kevin Ward since she thinks it would be my cup of tea. I am a little excited about the prospect of it. I can make some extra money and actually get noticed. It could be great--or maybe not?
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