Kim Clune Dot Com

Archive for November, 2008

Returning from Ghana with too many fond memories to list, what made the greatest impression upon me was visiting the children at the local school. It was hot, about to rain, and when moving their classroom benches from outside into a mud streaked classroom with dissintegrating walls and no power for light, these children were filled with joy. They broke into song to celebreate my visit and every single one put their hands on me. This moved me in a way that drove my determination to rebuild this school. I produced this video to show others how much more these children deserve and how little it would cost to achieve.
 

Village Volunteers, with just one e-newsletter under their belt, has recently accepted my offer to give the piece a fresh look and voice. The initial e-mailing, created by volunteer Devon de Lena, proved that roughly 4,000 supporters were eager for news about the people in African and Asian village programs that Village Volunteers strives to empower. That same audience suggested several ways in which the publication could improve.

Taking the publication’s starting point, reader suggestions and future organizational goals into account, the result is Volume 1, Issue 2 of 2008. This is the first publication in which I have had the opportunity to design, author, edit and include a bit of my own photography. (The original is on the left. The new version is on the right. Click the images to download the respective PDF files.)

In this Issue you’ll find the following articles:

• Lillian Tasur Goes to College
• A Note from Founder and Executive Director, Shana Greene
• Have’s Community Library Complete
• Meet VVQ’s New Editor, Kim Clune
• NEW: Village Volunteers Social Network
• Tyler Belgrave: What One Person Can Do
• Get Connected: Online Resources

Protesting Prop 8, I made my sign and headed out to Albany’s City Hall today. I stood, listened, marched and chanted in support of those whose rights are being infringed upon. The Troy Record covered the story, labeling all protestors in attendance either gay or lesbian. This certainly did not account for the many straight people rallying in support of our gay friends.

It seems, according to The Record, this is not our fight – even if it means we support equality for all - regardless of whether or not we are directly affected. I swear, I’m not bitter because they posted the worst picture of me in existence. I just find it poor reporting to misrepresent a group with generalizations when heterosexual support adds an important component in this fight for rights denied to a select portion of the population. Gay or straight, segregation simply isn’t legal.

In order to communicate with Village Volunteers alumni and share experiences with future volunteers, I created a social network at VillageVolunteers.Ning.com. Those who have volunteered in Ghana, Kenya, India and Nepal can now post pictures, videos, blog posts, chat, host forum discussions, events, create action groups and more. I look forward to announcing this project in Village Volunteers Quarterly, the newsletter I’m now writing, editing and designing for publication later this month. In preparation, I have posted my own writing and photography on the network, eager to see what others bring to the table.

Village Volunteers' Social Network Screen Shot