The story of 365 Days of Lent
@365Daysoflent is a challenge set up to help orphans in Nepal. I realise that living in one of the greatest cities in the world has led me to taking things for granted. Is there something you take for granted? Through my challenge I want to raise awareness and funds for orphans in #Nepal. If you would like to help out, please do so by making a small donation please click on the link donation page. All the funds raised will be donated to the EcoFarm orphanage in Nepal.
The challenge of 365 Days of Lent is to give something up. I have chosen 10 things:
1- Coffee
2- Hot Showers
3- Dairy
4- Movies
5- Beef
6- Dating
7- Shaving the Beard
8- Alcohol
9- Sweet & Cakes
10- Personal Facebook
You are welcome to join me on my quest. Choose a comfort to give up for 1 week and at the end a small donation to the link above. I would also love to hear about how your 1 week challenge went. Please get in touch via the facebook page to tell me your story.
To find out more about the EcoFarm orphanage please read below.
Why the orphans of #Nepal
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Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world.
It ranks 145th out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index.
With a population of 27 million, more than 1 in 3 people live in extreme poverty - subsisting on less than USD 1 per day.
Children are the most vulnerable victims: the lack of proper nutrition and education hampers their opportunities for a better future. Malnutrition affects 47% of children. More than 50% of primary students do not enter secondary schooling.
The orphanage urgently needs:
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Support to educate the chidren for 2015/16 (school fees, tuitions, stationaries...)
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Healthcare and medical check ups
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Clothing for winter and summer
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Maintenance and upkeep of the orphanage, including the 6 child caretakers
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Nepal’s first self-sustaining eco-farm home for orphaned children
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Presently, the orphanage hosts 18 orphaned children from the ages of 6 to 15 (6 are girls and 12 are boys) and has a total capacity of 40 children
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The eco-farm home is located 35 km east of Kathmandu. The location is in a green, serene and natural environment
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The orphanage aims to be fully sustainable, with systems including:
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Solar powered water heating system
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Rain water harvesting system
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Mini bio-gas facility that saves a third of the cooking gas expenses
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An organic garden that uses compost prepared from the bio-degradable waste products from the orphanage
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The orphanage has an existing successful relationship with 4 organizations bases in the United Arab Emirates: the Rotary Club of Jumeirah, Gulf For Good Charity, English College Dubai and Al Ain English Speaking School
ECO-FARM
The story of Michael
"I believe that if we teach a man to build a house, he will shelter his family. If we teach a child to build a house, as a man he will build a village and shelter a community."
I was raised in South Africa and spent my teenage years in Dubai before completing my studies back in England. Through the frequent moving I realised that education is important to a child. After many years of moving, I finally finished my studies having attended schools across 3 different continents.
My studies consisted of Sports, Art, Business and Character Management. After completing my studies I decided to get out and explore the world- after all, travelling was already in my roots. I began in Europe and later continued in Southeast Asia and Australia.
As I travelled, the most important skill I acquired was the ability to adapt. From languages to houses to transport to work, I was learning a lot. I started off protecting beachgoers as a lifeguard; as I progressed, I realized that I really enjoy helping people. Next, I taught swimming and later scuba diving.
Instructing is where I really began to learn that I had a skill, this skill was to help people. Combining my diving skills with my sports skills, I realized that I was changing peoples’ lives. I was helping people conquer their fears. Whether it was a fear of the sea or self-consciousness about being overweight, I would work my hardest to use the skills I had learned to help people. I learned these people skills from people I had met along my travels. These people were setting my path.
As I continued travelling around the world I was fortunate enough to learn a few languages along the way. Sometimes I would help to teach English in places where I had to learn Spanish. Thus turning me towards teaching English. I was becoming a full round people’s person.
After finally returning to Dubai in 2014 I decided I should get back into what I had studied in school: health, fitness and character management. I now use all the skills I have learned through my nomad lifestyle to help people here today.
Michael A.J. Roper
With special thanks to my supporters
Michael A.J. Roper | Inspirational idea
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Michael had a vision: he wanted to help those in need by making a one year sacrifice of things all of us take for granted.
He formulated the list of comforts he would give up and set out to raise awareness.
Michael inspires others with his daily challenge.
Federico Alvarez
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Federico was inspired and moved by Michael's idea and set out to build Michael's campaign.
Forming a team of Rotaractors, Federico coordinated between Michael and the Rotary Club of Jumeirah to furthur support his campaign and connect him with the eco-farm orphanage.
Davide
Davide Carpin
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Davide was quickly engaged by the idea and wanted to help. As a designer, Davide brought his expertise to generate the aesthetics of the campaign.
Cassidy
Cassidy Hazelbaker
Cassidy was also moved by Michael's challenge. She supports the team with editing and helps the team manage the campaign.
Athar
Athar Ali Khan
Athar brings his previous experience fundraising and volunteering for schools in Nepal through the Dreambuilders project.
Rotaract Club of Jumeirah | Dubai, UAE
Rotaract is the youth arm of Rotary International. The Rotaract Club of Jumeirah is based in Dubai, UAE, and participates in a variety of community service initiatives, locally and abroad.