A Message From Creative Learning

Dear Friends,

Thank you for supporting America's Unofficial Ambassadors, a strategic initiative of Creative Learning. We are looking forward to another exciting year!

 

Last week I had the chance to meet with eight Columbia University students who had just returned from their "alternative spring break" in Cairo, sponsored by America's Unofficial Ambassadors (AUA). They volunteered for a week with toddlers at an orphanage in Muqattam. Also known as "Garbage City," Muqattam is located on the outskirts of Cairo; its tens of thousands of residents are Cairo's garbage collectors, hauling and recycling several thousands of tons of garbage a day. Through the Hands Along the Nile program, the Columbia students played with toddlers and were able to offer individual attention to children who sadly don't get such attention on a daily basis; the child to teacher ratio is usually 19 to 1.

 

America's Unofficial Ambassadors was proud to help support these eight students through our growing Mosaic Fellowship program. Their trip was only a week, but its impact will last a lifetime. Laura Mills, one of the students, shared, "I know my volunteer service is not going to affect Egypt's next Presidential election, but we were able to have an impact on those kids." Shayna Orens, another student explained, "They had someone to hold them, to help them look out the window ... to show them that people cared for them."

The Columbia students were our first fellowship recipients of 2012 and along with the growth of the AUA Network, marked one of the AUA initiative's exciting developments of this first quarter. This year we plan to award 15 Mosaic Fellowships that cover $1000 to $5000 in program fees and travel expenses for volunteers aged 18 and over who will serve a week up to a year with an  AUA Directory-listed organization in the Muslim World. In addition to the financial support, each Mosaic Fellow is paired with an experienced development professional or returned volunteer - through the AUA Network's mentoring program - who supports his or her efforts to have a safe and impactful experience.

For every volunteer we support, at least 10 more are waiting and willing to serve. And this is where I would like to ask for your help. While some of our Mosaic Fellowships are "named" for individual sponsors and companies, I'm pleased to announce that we'll be offering a "People's Mosaic Fellowship," this year, too. The "People's Mosaic Fellow" will be selected by you on our Facebook page. Would you consider making a donation of $5, $10, $25, or $100? Your donation will directly support the "People's Mosaic Fellow," and by donating you'll be eligible to cast your vote for the candidate you'd most like to see be an unofficial ambassador. We are currently accepting donations and voting will begin, online, on April 25.

Read on our blog about these eight unofficial ambassadors who chose to travel to Cairo for spring break and consider the children of Muqattam who they volunteered with. By supporting the People's Mosaic Fellowship, you can ensure that we continue to touch lives - both here and abroad.

Thank you. 

Benjamin Orbach
Director 

America's Unofficial Ambassadors

Check out these current AUA opportunities for 2012: 

• One slot remains open for AUA's Building Peace by Building Homes trip to Salt, Jordan from May 25 - June 3. For details contact Gideon Culman. 
• Apply for a 2012 AUA Mosaic Fellowship and volunteer with an AUA Directory-listed organization.
• Join the AUA Network and participate in monthly webinars on topics such as cross-cultural engagement and personal fundraising. Share lessons learned from your experience, connect with a mentor, or become a mentor to a new unofficial ambassador.