Charyn Pfeuffer has decided to swap her Blackberry for a backpack.  Read the exclusive interview I had with her about the Global Citizen Project.

1) Can you give me some background information not included on your web site that people may not know and/or be shocked to know?

I went to school for fine arts and stumbled into a writing career, with no more experience than high school English courses. As soon as I figured out there was a career where people would pay me to learn and write about topics that interested me, I thought I’d hit the learning-on-my-terms motherlode. I’ve been afforded so many experiences and interactions I would have most likely never had.

Random stuff:

My favorite color is green. I dig hardware stores, mint chocolate chip ice cream, mid-century furniture, being near water, being near mountains, road-trips, the first night of staying solo in a new hotel, things that are salty, thank you notes, being barefoot, super comfy plush robes, all products relating to the almighty pig, Monday afternoon matinees, collecting stamps on my passport, meeting new people, studying maps, independent independent bookstores, beets, Marimekko patterns, hard cheese, raw fish, rare meat, Sin City in 72-hour spells, Scrabble, anything with bubbles, especially if it’s pink. My middle name is Ayn, after author Ayn Rand. I am an avid home chef, but I cannot bake to save my life. I don’t follow recipes and manage to botch precise measurements (the very core of baking success) every single time. Yeast is my nemesis in the kitchen.

2) What kind of research/preparation did you do in order to successfully complete the project?

I didn’t actually do a lot of research in advance. I’m very much a follow-your-gut, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants and make things happen kinda gal (okay, also a really strong-willed Taurus). For example, my first book, Breast Cancer Q&A was the result of an especially difficult day of answering the Information & Referral Helpline at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Oakland, CA. I decided that afternoon I wanted to write a book to help women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and within months had a book deal with Penguin Putnam.)

I’d been feeling unsettled about my career and was actively brainstorming solutions, when I stumbled across Kickstarter.com. (http://globalcitizenproject.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-is-kickstarter.html) Within a 48-hour window of time, I secured an invitation via soliciting strangers who’d listed Kickstarter projects on Twitter and within a few days, had fleshed out the logistics of what I wanted to do. (The Global Citizen Project launched right before Thanksgiving.) The concept is fairly simple – to volunteer with 12 community projects in 12 countries over a 12 month span – but I wanted there to be a collaborative element in determining where I go and what I do. That aspect has developed organically as time progresses. Honduras was first to hop in board in that regard, coordinating a promotion on their Visit Honduras Facebook Fan Page  where fans could suggest volunteer projects and programs for a week. Then, I whittled the list down to the top five projects I’d most like to serve, and the public voted with Building a Future winning with 49% of the votes. (http://globalcitizenproject.blogspot.com/2009/12/its-official-building-future-is.html) I hope other countries and destinations are inspired to work with me in similar capacities to help determine my potential community volunteer projects – after all, it is the people from these countries and from within these communities that can best guide me on where my time and energies needed most.

The project’s success remains to be seen. It hinges on whether I reach my $20K goal in pledges by February 22, 2010. Right now, I have 24 backers, and $2,306 in pledges. I have a way to go, but I am fully committed to making it happen and plan to kick my fundraising and promotional efforts into overdrive right after the holidays.

3) What in your past (family, friends, experiences in work or personal life) has lead to Global Citizen Project?

My childhood travel were limited to summers in South Carolina, spring breaks at Disneyworld and Phillies’ spring training, and the occasion trip to the Bahamas. As a child, I was not instilled with an appreciation for volunteerism (unless being dragged to the senior citizen’s center one Saturday afternoon to make arts and crafts to fulfill some school project counts). It’s kind of a strange chain of intertwined events. The loss of mother absolutely spurred my desire to lead a life of travel. It also encouraged my first major volunteerism commitment with WCRC (every Wednesday for four years). My high-school sweetheart, whom I was dating at the time of my mother’s death, joined the Peace Corps after college and his stories/postcards had an affect on me as well. (We’re still very close friends, he travels like a fiend and I’m always inspired by his travels.) An irregular schedule the past few years has made it next-to-impossible to volunteer and I’ve sorely missed that aspect of my life. I’m a give-and-take kind of gal, and I’ve been taking too much from travels the past few years without giving much back in return, expect for the occasional suitcase of schoolsupplies or hats, mittens and scarves. It’s not enough. So, it’s my hope that I can bring personal passion and professional skills to the project and make a difference for 12 groups of people and use my journalism background to bring attention to the programs and causes.

4) What in your hometown and/or where you are now contribute to the Global Citizen Project?

I don’t have a lot of ties to my hometown (Berwyn, PA). After my mom passed away, my dad moved to Baltimore and remarried. I moved to the west coast nearly 10 years ago, and returned to Seattle, WA about a year-and-a-half ago. Unfortunately, I spent most of that time traveling, so I’m not as involved with the local community as I’d like to be. (I was actually just home for four straight weeks – a first since my boyfriend and I moved here.) There is a large community of extremely talented travel writers in the Puget Sound area, who’ve been extremely supportive thus far.  I plan to continue to reach out to people here, as well as other places I’ve lived (Monterey and San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD). I’m very lucky to have a large network of friends all around the world, both professional and people I’ve met randomly in my travels, so I’m definitely reaching out to my worldwide circle of contacts.

5) Why and how did you start using social media (like Twitter) to support your project?

Social media tools like Facebook and Twitter have been incredibly effective, far-reaching tools for me both personally and professionally. I’ve received story leads, gotten assignments, and made contacts I probably wouldn’t have otherwise via these methods. Twitter, for me, is kind of like this almighty, “Ask and ye shall receive” tool, where if you throw something out into cyberspace, something very cool and unexpected may come back. Or maybe not. But, when it does, it’s pretty darn cool.

I initially learned about Kickstarter via Twitter and there is a bit of a buzz about it right now as the “fundraising platform for hipsters” on Twitter (I’m by no means hip or a hipster), so it seemed like an appropriate forum for promoting TGCP. As for Facebook, it’s a more personal forum for me (I don’t know who many of my 1170 followers are on Twitter, versus I know something about every single one of my 614 friends on Facebook.) As a result of using Twitter as a means to promote TGCP, I’ve made several cyber friends with folks around the world who’ve either pledged funds or turned me onto worthwhile volunteer opportunities. These people then RT (retweet) my posts about TGCP to their network of friends and the possibilities of whom my message reaches is limitless.

I also realized a few weeks into the project that as far-reaching as social media networking tools may be, there is still a necessity to use old fashioned methods, like pitching the local community newspaper. There are people who don’t use computers or social media (typically older generations) who may very well take interest in The Global Citizen Project and have funds stashed away for a cause just like this.. A lot of people have pledged money and then commented that they wished they had the nerve to do something this ambitious or the flexibility or the time or insert countless other reasons here. The desire to live vicariously through my travels and experiences has been a constant comment from my friends, family and social media friends and followers, so it makes sense that an older demographic may feel inspired to pledge.

6) Are you targeting a specific service for the Global Citizen  Project? Why?

Right now, I need monetary pledges to help reach my $20K goal.. I’m also seeking donations for “Rewards” (or incentives) for people who pledge funds to my project. Donations start at $1, so pledges and reward donations can be as small or as big as a supporter wishes. The Global Citizen Project is an ambitious project and I can use (and appreciate) every bit of help I can get. The cool thing about Kickstarter is that people pledge whatever amount they wish, but if I don’t meet my goal in the designated time period, they funds revert right back to the backer and I don’t see a cent.

7) Are you targeting a specific geographic location for the Global Citizen Project? Why?

I’m focusing my efforts on Central and South America countries. I’ve probably spent about a third of my time traveling throughout these areas over the past few years. I’ve seen the incredible beauty of these places and people alongside extreme poverty, and although I know I could never give these people back as much as they’ve given me, I’d sure like to try. Also, I have beginner Spanish speaking skills, which I’m stepping up right now thanks to Rosetta Stone (love this system). I feel that the better command I have of the local language, the richer my experiences will be and the more I will be able to contribute to the communities I serve. I’m not ruling out non-Spanish speaking countries by any means; the volunteer projects are ultimately what will determine the destinations. I just want to be as useful as possible.
Can you describe the exact moment you decided to do the project (sensational, where were you, what were you doing)?

I’m a bit of a night owl (always have been). I keep late, vampire-esque hours and get my best writing done between 6 p.m.-3 a.m. I also have a tough time turning off the wheels that constantly spin ideas in my head, so I suffer from insomnia when I’m feeling especially creative – which is often. I was working late one night at our dining room table, drinking a glass of cheap Trader Joe’s white wine (don’t tell anyone, my boyfriend is a sommelier) asking myself “What do I love about my career and travel?” and “Why am I in this funk?” I scratched down lists and words and ideas (I’m a list girl), until it clicked that there’s nothing wrong with my career or travel, really. Sure, the unpredictable pace and timing of taking 150+ flights per year (24-hours in Cozumel here, 48-hours in Florida there, oh, and Australia on 18-hours notice) finally caught up to me. But, when I thought about what it was about travel that really sparked my enthusiasm, it came down to the people and places whom (by our standards) live simply, yet they’re hardly poor. It’s a different reality than what we’re accustomed to and often times, their simple contentment is enviable.

Here’s a link to a story I wrote about the impact of a trip to Peru:

http://globalcitizenproject.blogspot.com/2009/11/river-real.html

9) What do you plan to do when you come back from finishing the project?

First and foremost, I want to make a difference in 12 communities. Ideally, I’d like to write a book that would convey the stories of the peoples, places and projects I’ve experienced in each of the 12 destinations, but also promote volunteer travel and responsible tourism via my editorial outlets. I cannot recommend the value of travel enough (the world is one big classroom/opportunity for learning in my opinion), but believe I’ve taken so much pleasure from my travels/experiences/interactions over the years, that’s it’s time to give something back to those who’ve inspired and made me think. If TGCP is a success, who knows where it will segue? The idea of two weeks at home and two weeks on the road volunteering sounds like a mighty fine way to live, and compared to the past few years, definitely more stable (if you can believe that).

10) Do you have any tips or recommendations to travelers wanting to do service abroad?

I’m basically a virgin when it comes to volunteer travel. When it comes to travel in general, I can hold my own (my friends dubbed me, Global Girl Scout, because of my travel preparedness). I’m doing my best to research the organizations I want to volunteer with and keep an open mind (read: realistic) about what the experiences could be. I know this a far cry from covering 400-thread count sheets for a destination wedding article, but I’m a fearless traveler who’d swap a fancy five star hotel for the cultural experience of a home stay any day.

11) Are you traveling alone?

As of right now, I’m flying solo. Several people have expressed interest in joining me for specific projects (including a travel writer from Texas that I met via Twitter and a friend’s 17-year old daughter) and I’m more than game for some inspiring co-traveling/volunteering company.

12) What kind of services will you do abroad? Is there one you will most likely focus on or is of special importance (ie, conservation).  If so, are there any specific ways you know you can help?

I just posted this yesterday about nailing down the specific projects:

http://globalcitizenproject.blogspot.com/2009/12/making-commitments.html

All of the areas I’m planning to volunteer with have been given  considerable thought, talked through with people who’ve had first person experiences or with people with ties to the actual communities/causes. If you were to list the areas of volunteer service available around the world, it would be never-ending, so I did my best to narrow the areas down to the 12 that are personally most important to me, and that I feel I can best serve.

On a side note: Several people have asked me why didn’t I decide to just volunteer with one project for a longer term. I feel that I can bring skills to and successfully serve all 12 projects and use my platform and far-reaching network as a writer/blogger to raise awareness for 12 different causes and communities versus limiting myself to just one. I’m kinda of a “Go big or go home” kinda gal and I always tend to take the ambitious route in life. I’m well aware of the fact that it’s impossible to save the world with bite sized stints of service, but I think I can make 12 small dents and hopefully raise awareness and create interest for others to follow my lead.

As for the skill sets I can bring to these projects: An eagerness/extreme curiousity to learn more about the chosen causes and cultures, openmindedness, flexibility, familiarity with underprivileged communities, marketing/outreach savvy to help raise awareness about the causes and communities, compassion, writing/blogging/social media skills (again to help raise awareness about the causes and communities), teaching skills (I’ve guest taught travel writing classes on numeroous occasions), listening skills, enthusiasm, desire to serve, extensive travel experience, extensive volunteering experience, etc.

Location: Barnes and Noble Newsstand in Miami, FL

Executed on: November 28. 2009 at 21:00 Eastern Time

Mission: 7 Post-Its in 7 different magazines.

Objective: Create smiles and the occasional chuckle.

The idea was simple: put encouraging words on post-its that enforce healthy self-images.  In my mind, I paraphrased this to mean: cause someone to feel they are sexy. I got this idea by reviewing the articles written on Matadornetwork.com-I am taking their Travel Writing Course. I read the title: “Call for Submissions: Show Us the True Meaning of Beauty“. It piqued my interest so I clicked on the link which led me to the article written by Candice Walsh-Matador’s editor and fellow Travel Writing student. By the end of the article, I could only think of four words: “What a great idea!!!” So I quickly got out my neon pink post-its from my husband’s backpack (don’t ask) and took out my multi-colored marker set from the closet. At first I thought of my location: Miami.  Since most of the people here speak Spanish, I thought putting some of their words on the note would reach them on a more personal level. If I use the word “bonita” inaccurately, even more reason to laugh right? Also, I thought of putting phrases that were similar to cheesy pick up lines (c’mon ladies you know you like them).

I went up to the second floor and chose a spot to squat where there were no lovers displaying their affections. I looked around me about every 2 seconds to make sure no one knew what I was doing. I pretended to take out a book from the shelf as people walked by. At every snapshot, I felt a rush of adrenaline immediately followed by a sense of triumph. I constantly thought: “Was all this worth the potential humiliation of people thinking what the heck is this girl doing?” YES, the potential perking up of someone’s day would make this mission a success.  So here’s pictures of my seven post-its in seven different magazines.  Notice I make no discrimination in gender, view, or womb status:

As you can tell, I used my favorite line a lot: “You’re Bonita Mamasita!” I also tried to put the post-its on pages where there were images of air-brushed, seemingly perfect people.  The post-its are strategically placed to remind the reader they are just as beautiful. So, as your reading this article, it is also a reminder that…

“You’re Bonita TOO!!!”

Operationbeautiful.com

Disclaimer: I’m unaware if I broke any privacy laws but if I did…sorry.

Picture I took in Little Farm, Miami FL

Have you ever heard of “Slow Food”? Most Americans know all too well its arch nemesis-the evil “Fast Food” Darth Vader. So we can compare the liking of Slow Food to Luke Skywalker or even the angelic Jar Jar Binx? For a more sensible explanation, I give you the Slow Food USA (www.slowfoodusa.org) definition:

“Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.”

Therefore, food should be more than those mass-produced corn dogs stuck in the back of your freezer or a quick drive-thru pick me up after work. I understand that with today’s American society, “faster is always better”. However, it is better to live longer than to die…well faster. Also, with the growing concern of today’s environment, it is important to think about how we can preserve land for future generations. This is important in many ways-culturally, historically, and ecologically. A main idea of this movement is to eat food that’s in season, a food tip you can see on any TV food network show. In season food is much tastier, easier to find, and cheaper! Also, according to practicallyedible.com, Slow Food, “Promotes the idea of reducing the number of miles that food travels to reach a consumer. To the foodie wing, this means that the food is fresher and better; to the environmentalist wing, this means reduced energy emissions.” The Web site also points out how the idea was formed by Carlo Petrini who opposed a McDonald’s opening of the first McDonald’s in Italy in March 20 of 1986. You will also see opposing views of Slow Food on the Web site.

So I encourage you to visit that local farmer’s market! You’ll be glad you did. You’ll see fruits and species of people you’ve never seen before. You’ll be able to taste different types of honey from around the world-cheaper to spend as much money on gas to the farmer’s market than plane tickets around the world. Therefore, I think it’s about time the United States becomes a Slow Food nation.

For more information you can go to these organizations:

Slow Food International: www.slowfood.com

Slow Food USA: www.slowfoodusa.org

-My personal favorites are Slow Food LA (slowfoodla.com) and

Slow Food Oahu (slowfoodoahu.org)

Slow Food Nation Book by Carlo Petrini- Founder of the Slow Food movement

Courtesy of babble.com

By Joannaline Casasola Young

Theories of Asia on raising a diaper-free baby can help the environment here.

“Diaper-Free Newborn Babies”. This was the headline I feverishly read as I did my daily scanning of the ABC News home page. As a mother who had a poop phobia ever since my baby was born, I wanted to know more about this topic. I saw the quick two-minute video of Linton who has been potty trained since he was four months old. The Birth Ways studio in Berkeley teaches students theories from Asia in which you listen and observe babies for “cues”.

In TLC’s “Bringing Home Baby” series there was an episode entitled “Sara Comes Home”. I saw a family who adopted a baby girl named Sara from China. The new father told one of the children that came to visit that in China, the babies do not wear diapers. He said that there is a hole in the baby’s pants and, “They just hold them up when they need to go.” I later learned they do this when they notice a certain cue from the baby that they are about to go #1 or #2. Many call this form of cuing “Elimination Communication” or simply abbreviated EC. Supporters of the practice claim that as early as the day babies are born, they have this ability to communicate their needs. Therefore, parents can look out for this communication to see when the baby will need a diaper change.

In my last article, “China Pollution”, I wrote about the current environmental issues facing the country. For this civilization, it was necessary to live without “luxuries”, such as not having diapers. In a way, this is more environmentally beneficial for a community to live without the waste of diapers. As seen from the photos, their lands have already been flooded so much waste that having diapers would only add to their polluted conditions.

Connected to this idea of elimination communication, babies have been also through to communicate other needs such as when they are hungry. My baby was just born and I had seen a video on iVillage called “What your baby’s cries mean”. According to the video, a linguist had decoded a baby’s cries into 5 basic meanings.

1. Hungry (neh)

2. Sleepy (owh)

3. Burp (eh)

4. Gas (eairh)-I don’t know about you but this one means to burp

5. Discomfort (heh)

Before I had a baby, I was like any normal person. I generally thought a baby does not have a high cognition and they are just eating, pooping machines. However, I learned that a baby is a lot smarter than we think. From first hand experience, I know that a baby can sense if a person is a stranger, how someone feels, or the general “aura” of a person. So in many ways, a baby is even smarter than me. I have now decided that I will try using this “Elimination Communication” to be more environmentally conscious and we’ll see how it goes.

Too many years without clean air

Recently I have come across shocking photos, by photographer Lu Guang, of the current state of China.  These human beings seem to be living on a different planet where the waters are yellow and the skies are black.  The United State’s dependence of cheap Chinese goods have created this environmental issue.  I recall one comedian’s set included a reference to how the United States should be renamed “Made in China”.  Very funny “joke” and very true.  Legislation on consuming from local markets and fair trade products is one way we may help the situation. Many Chinese imports are made by cheap labor, often done by young children (as seen in the photos).  I couldn’t help but feel reverence for this cherub face covered in ash.  One photo that especially struck me was the man who could not sleep on his back because of sores.  This shows that even when they’re resting, they are still suffering.  In the United States, we see the elders in retirement going on luxurious vacations.  However, in China, they are just sitting in a dark polluted room awaiting death.  Most of the photos are of the toll China’s pollution takes on children, many born deformed or with mental disabilities.  These children are born into a country that just sees them as another burden of China’s growing population crisis.  Since the images are more powerful than anything I could ever write, please follow this link:

http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/

[poll id="8"]

In the wake of the recent fatal floods in the Philippines, my husband  sent me a link to a youtube video that I highly suggest you watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1bOteXhwrw&feature=player_embedded#

As a Filipino American, I felt a strong connection to the people in the video.  Also, October is Filipino American History Month so I thought this topic would be fitting.  The Philippines is a highly stratified nation with there only being rich and poor.  Oddly enough I have family members of both conditions where the rich will not help the poor, even if they are family.  Many times I have sat at a restaurant seeing people order food that they later leave uneaten.  At a sushi restaurant, a couple had ordered a $100+ dish and left the rice on the plate.  I quickly thought why didn’t they just order the sashimi (no rice)?  I see everyday the wasteful habits of people like these.  The subject of the video is something I have always thought about.  Why can’t we give the poor the food that others pay for and later not eat?  Sanitary reasons?  How sanitary is it that they’ll be getting it out of a dumpster anyway?  Please think about this video as you go about your daily lives.

[poll id="8"]

By Joannaline Casasola Young

courtesy of Dagobychocolate.com

I’m at the local store for my weekly grocery shopping. On my list are healthy items such as lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots. I pick up these vegetables first because they are right in front of the store entrance. I can’t help but feel relief as my shopping has started in a good and conscientious way. Then I go further down the list: meats and milk are my next stop. I’m feeling a little off track with my nutrition but still in good shape. I pick up a carton of organic milk and a crate of eggs. Then comes the next aisle and straight above me I see those dreaded words printed in bold, large font: Candy and Baked Goods. I stare at the dark colored chocolate boxes as if they are seducing me. They taunt me with words like “smooth” and “creamy”. Then I look around me and see others looking at the same packages. I could not help but notice their bellies hanging over the top of their pants. I let out a huge sigh then continue rolling my shopping cart to the next aisle. Have you ever felt the guilt of even contemplating whether you should buy chocolate? Well what if I could tell you some of that guilt can be appeased with a few facts about certain chocolate companies? What if I was to go further and say that chewing that chocolate bar could save the world? This might be a dramatization of the effects of organic and fair-trade products, however, many be unaware of the magnitude of benefits that result from purchasing these items. I have recently decided to embark on studying food writing when I stumbled on a great article about a company called Dagoba Organic Chocolate.

A couple weeks ago I read one piece published by The New Yorker called “Extreme Chocolate” by Bill Buford. It was the first feature essay of an anthology called the Best American Travel Writing, 2008 edition. The guest celebrity editor was Anthony Bourdain (the host of No Reservations on the Travel Channel and brutally honest guest judge on Bravo’s Top Chef) and the series editor being Jason Wilson. I was interested to see what Anthony Bourdain selected primarily because of his image on TV as being difficult to please. The story is of the adventures of Bill Buford and the founder of Dagoba chocolate, Frederick Schilling. The story is fairly recent being that the company was formed in 2001 (now Hershey has bought the brand that has made millions but Schilling remains a consultant).

The story begins with how Schilling started the business with practically nothing, “Dagoba had no employees and no orders. It had a lease for a ground-floor industrial space in Boulder, Colorado (the “factory”), and an investment of $20,000 (borrowed from Schilling’s mother and an uncle), which, after flights, a hotel, and a fee for the smallest possible booth, against a dark wall in the basement of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was gone.” This changed when he arrived at New York’s Fancy food show with this girlfriend to present the company.. Buford sees Schilling at a following Fancy food show where they sample different booths. As Schilling converses with Buford, we begin to unravel Schilling’s obsession with everything chocolate, including the origins and wrapper. He even explains how chocolate’s flavor is like a “woman’s breast when on her back”. The analogy is a little extreme for me but I guess chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Buford then summarizes the processes of chocolate like “dutching” which revolutionized the bitter drinking chocolate into a smooth, sweet chocolate. Then Schilling said something to Buford that started a jungle adventure: “You will never understand cacao until you see it in the tropics” so off to Brazil they go.

Diego Badaró owned a cacao plantation called “Monte Alegre” in Brazil. On Buford’s trip, Badaró gave him several fresh cacao to eat, the pulp sweet but the seeds bitter. Through his travels, Buford was told that a fungus called “witches’ broom” attacked many of the cacao plants of Brazil-causing them to look like what their name entails. $5 billion was lost and many people whose business was the cacao plant became homeless. Buford then goes to the Market of Sao Joaquin in which he again tastes several fruits. The locals believe the fruits are remedies for conditions like unwanted pregnancies and brain injury. Such fruits include caja-jumba, caza (which is a berry). He also saw catuaba that is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Buford also learns that tobacco is nature’s most effective insecticide after getting sick eating it. He also tastes Kola nuts that are used in making Coca Cola, which he is told has a caffeine effect thus making him alert. Also, like caffeine, the nuts make him urinate frequently. A fun scene in the story is when the author jumps in a big pot of wet cacao beans with Schilling and Badaró. When Schilling came home from the trip, he had a dream of the goddess of cacao, Xochiquestzal. They “flew” over West Africa where 80% of the world’s cacao comes from, namely the Ivory Coast. Their business relies on cheap labor and where the trees are hyper-productive because of the intense light. Schilling remembers as a child he did not like chocolate that came from West Africa because of the flavor. He also flew over Sri Lanka, Bali, Java, Malaysia, and the Philippines where child labor and slavery exists. He saw the barren land, so he promised the goddess that he would replant them. Schilling broke up with his girlfriend at the time because he was “married to chocolate” and he sold his company to Hershey. His explanation for this was: “How could I make a difference at Dagoba, working on such a small scale?”

Now Schilling makes sure his chocolate completes the “Full Circle Sustainability” in which he focuses on Quality, Ecology, Equity, and Community. Along with his re-forestation efforts, he ensures green power for manufacturing plants. The packaging of the products is also recycled and the inks are soybased. According to their website, Dagoba chocolate is made to “benefit the land and the farmers who harvest it” with many of their products being Fair Trade.

Just to name some of the interesting flavors of Dagoba:

-Superfruit (acai, goji, currants)-antioxidants!!!

-Brasilia (coconut, brazil nuts)

-Chai (chai spices, crystallized ginger)

-Xocolatl (chilies, cacao nibs, maca, nutmeg)

-Seeds (seeds from hemp, pumpkin, sunflower)

-Roseberry (dried raspberries, rosehips)

-Mint (peppermint oil, rosemary)

-Lemon-Ginger (crystallized ginger, lemon)

-Lavender (blueberries, lavender oil)

-Lime (lime, macadamia nuts)

Did that make you salivate with delight?

Even with all the appreciation of this chocolate I have yet to taste it. For me, the global and community efforts alone are reasons to purchase this confection. In the future, I would like to see other companies use their revenue in such humanistic ways. However, that may be wishful thinking and I know that such acts must start with me. Someday I may positively affect the world in such a unique way that everyone can enjoy. But for now I must run to the nearest grocery store with a health section to satiate my foodie obsessions. Who will join me?

For more information on Dagoba chocolate and its ecological efforts, please go to www.dagobachocolate.com .

[poll id="8"]

The sex slave industry has been a large concern in almost every country in the world.  This crime is on a level far greater than any other crime as these young children are forced to give up their innocence.  However, what happens when sexual workers are willing participants?  What if these people are just working for a little extra cash?  Furthermore, what would you think of the notion that they do not see themselves as prostitutes?  For awhile, I’ve been catching up on the media’s representations of these workers.  Tyra Banks did a show on those who worked on the Bunny Ranch in Las Vegas, Nevada.  ABC News did a special on “True Confessions of a Sugar Baby”. Lisa Ling did a story on sex trafficking in India.  Memoirs of a Geisha showed the ancient practice enjo kousai.

However, recently I’ve come across a story of young schoolgirls who have sex with men for shopping money.  They call it “compensated dating” which has a much less harsh connotation than prostitution.  It was interesting in the fact that it seemed to occur because of a trend-similar to having the latest apple product or wearing the newest name brand clothes.  Most of the girls I have mentioned before, work in the industry to make ends meet (even though there are many ways to work legitimately).  Before we look down on these girls let’s take into consideration their environment.  These girls feel they must conform to live a normal life.  Yes many of the girls who could afford expensive clothing go on to be the queens of homecoming and prom.  However, in the long run what do material goods like these give them? Does it give them better jobs?  More loving husbands?

As an Asian myself, in high school I struggled with my image because I could not have the latest trendy clothes or designer shoes.  The people who did were the most popular.  However, prostituting myself to get those items was never an option because of my beliefs.  Contrarily in Hong Kong, compensated dating is a norm and everyone in “your class is doing it so why shouldn’t you”?

I believe that in the case of the Hong Kong sugar babies, the government should intervene based on the fact that these girls are underage.  What does the general public think? Did this article change the way you view prostitution?

[poll id="8"]

Little is known about Burma to the degree that many of today’s public would answer that they have never even heard of the country.  After much research I found Burma to be one of special interest.  Not just because of the country’s unfortunate economic status and militaristic government but also for their culture and resources. When you think of dictatorships, chances are you think of countries like Cuba or Germany.  However, Burma has had the longest dictatorship in history, for over four decades. Their government’s unwillingness to improve conditions has put them at odds with the Assocation of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and also caused the country to be on many “only country in the world” lists.  Here are some examples:

In 1997, the Secretary of State Albright’s statement to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) informed the association of how Burma’s government fails to cooperate with any ASEAN legislation.  Here are the Secretary’s words:

Burma is, “The only member of ASEAN singled out by UN General Assembly for refusing to honor election results, the only member where the state and society are fundamentally at odds.  Burma is the only nation in ASEAN where it is illegal to own a fax machine, where the public schools are routinely closed to prevent political unrest. Burma is also the only member of ASEAN where the government protects and profits from the drug trade. In fact, Burma’s top traffickers have become leading investors in its economy and leading lights in its new political order. Drug Money is laundered with such impunity in Burma that it taints legitimate investment.  Because of its government actions, Burma is also the only member of ASEAN and the ARF subject to international sanctions and consumer boycotts, the only member that is denied multilateral lending, the only member where foreing investment is stagnating.”

Therefore, you may see Burma in the news as:

- “the only country in the world left on money-laundering blacklist”

-“the only country in the world that keeps its population uneducated”

-“the only country in the world where the defense budget is greater than health

and education combined”

-“the only country in the world were the cars are older than in Cuba”

-“the only country in the world where the International trade union movement

calls for disinvestment”

-“the only country that is not marketed by responsibletravel.com”

These “only lists” has caused Burma to be the only country in the world where Beri Beri, a vitamin deficiency, occurs.  This deficiency has caused a high mortality rate among Burma’s infants.  Also, the story of Aung San Suu Kyi has created Burma to be the “only country that punishes a homeowner for having her own house broken into”.

On a lighter note, Burma is also known for their precious culture and resources.  For example, they are the only country where Theravadda Buddhism still thrives today. Pali Athakathas and Tikas completely published are a rare find.  In addition, they are the only country where top quality rubies can be found. The blood color of these gems have been associated with the country’s “bloody” business practices. Lastly, Burma is also the only country that exports teak.

Closing remarks: This article is meant to enlighten the reader about what is going on in the other side of the world.  This is not to preach the common cliché of “be grateful for what you have” but to be aware that conditions you thought only occurred in the past still occur today.

For more information on Burma and other Southeast Asian countries you can check out The Irrawaddy website at: www.irrawaddy.org and the Democratic Voice of Burma at: www.english.dvb.no.

[poll id="8"]