Project 18
I have Twitter to thank for bringing this cause to my attention. It was founded by Cate Bolt – a mother of 9, a Buddhist, a humanitarian, a photographer and a writer. Her dream is to build a small village on Sumatra which will be made up of 18 homes with 3 bedrooms each to offer a new life to some of the countless orphans in Indonesia. Tied in with this will be a conservation area, primarily aimed at helping the orangutan which is being forced into exinction. The hope is to tie the children’s education into conservation and by this saving our future.
You can learn more about Project 18 at www.project18.org.au and more about it’s founder Cate Bolt at www.catherinebolt.com but here is a brief summary:
The founder of Project 18 is Cate Bolt, a mother of 9, a humanitarian and a woman trying to achieve something amazing. She has been called into action by her desire to change a situation in Indonesia where over half the population have to make do with US$2 every day, and 1.8million children are forced to sleep on the streets.
Project 18′s mission statement is:
“To increase the quality of life of underprivileged and orphaned children through family placement, housing, education and emotional nourishment. And to lead the children to a life of compassion and understanding of the environment by creating sustainable lifestyles which enable them to live in harmony with the planet.”
The long term plans are to establish an orphanage in Sumatra based on the ideal of a village with 18 3-bedroomed houses, each with a house mother to create a family-like environment. The village will include a medical centre and a school. It will also be surrounded by a conservation area with conservation playing a role in the children’s education. It will also act as a refuge for injured orangutans, which are critcally endangered due to palm oil.
I think this project deserves as much support as it can get. It was begun by one woman determined to fit in changing the world into her already hectic life. I’ve followed Cate on Twitter for a year now and seen the highs and lows she has experienced both in her personal life and with Project 18. She already has some amazing supporters, but truly deserves so many more.
Cate has recently returned from Indonesia where she has overseen the purchase of a building that is currently being used as an orphanage and she has rescued 3 children.
Remember, great things come from small starts. We can all be a part of what I’m sure will be an amazing and literally life changing project.
There are many ways you can help Project 18.
Treat yourself and your family to one of these beautifully made items:
For other wonderful goodies, check out their online shop.
For other ways you can get involved please visit here.
Why not subscribe to their newsletter and keep in touch with all the latest here.
Project 18 is a great idea and worthy of support. Please do what you can to support them. If any of you feel that you want to help those poorest in the world, but worry about how much money gets caught up in administration, agencies and governments, rest assured your money will go directly to those in greatest need.
