| This section demonstrates that stories have the power to inspire and create change.
| |
“Your magazine is a blessing, a true testament to the world that there is inherent good. It’s not often, maybe never before, that a magazine has brought me to tears. But the article on the Mother Bear Project turned my eyes into fountains in a magically positive way. Thank you for inspiring me to do more, touching the depths of my soul, and highlighting the incredible work of one and many. Thank you for what you do.” —Devan D. |
|
| |
“Your magazine will bring change as we all roll up our sleeves and work together for a better world.” —Koffi M. |
|
| |
“More magazines and other forms of media should focus on the positive as much as NEED does - I think the world would be a better place.” —Tyler H. |
|
| |
“You have helped me realize that I too can make a difference in the world.” —Tracy L. |
|
| |
“Our class has been so inspired by these articles that we are now trying to put together a benefit to raise money for charities. It is a magazine like yours that will change the world, even if it is just one classroom at a time.”—Brittany W. |
|
| |
“Every page is an inspiration. … You’ll be proud of and amazed by your fellow man.”—David A. |
|
| |
“Thank you for taking action. Your magazine has inspired my whole class. … The stories keep us grounded.” —-Kris H. |
|
|
Socially Responsible Textiles | Issue 3
kumari lama (right), 23, has been working in the factory for a year with her husband. photo | yan seiler
| |
“We’ve been inspired by NEED’s model — this idea of using imagery to connect consumers to the people halfway around the world who are impacted by their purchasing decisions.” |
|
| |
—Nina Smith, Executive Director of RugMark |
|
Since RugMark’s work was featured in NEED magazine, there has been a noticeably higher demand for certified rugs. RugMark was able to use the article as a tool to increase awareness. Smith says, “The NEED article was fantastic. … It told the story in a poignant way that people could relate to, and [raising awareness] is the core of what we need to do here.” Sales of certified rugs are up by 20 percent, and 17 more companies have signed up as licensees.
>> read the RugMark feature article |
In the Crossfire | Issue 5
javier arrango was paralyzed when a bullet hit his spine. photo | steve floyd
| |
“My feeling about the piece and the work we do is so positive that the money [Youth Alive!] raises becomes less relevant.” |
|
| |
—Deane Calhoun, Co-Founder of Youth Alive! |
|
When a NEED writer and a photojournalist traveled to California for a story on Oakland’s youth, they didn’t realize the effects they would have. Calhoun says that the article has made telling Youth Alive!’s story much easier. She mailed copies of Issue 5 to all donors, board members and friends of the agency. “I’ve found that people are so touched by the story and the pictures — they love it! And marketing is often about education and inspiration, not just raising money,” Calhoun says.
>> read the Youth Alive! feature article |
WORK | Issue 2
eng sokhai puts on heavy protective gear. photo | claudia janke
| |
“MAG is already well-known and well-regarded within its field, but we’re keen to introduce ourselves to a wider audience, and this article plays an important role in that process.” |
|
| |
—Tom Morgan, MAG Regional Information Officer Southeast Asia |
|
Undertaking clearance in six villages in the Battambang province, MAG continues its work in Cambodia’s most highly mine-affected communities. Since the article was published, the MAT 12 all-female team has cleared an additional 135,600 square meters of land, finding and destroying 136 anti-personnel mines and 25 items of UXO. This work has directly benefited 11,809 people.
>> read the MAG feature article |
Transforming Education | Issue 4
a young student studies at the academy. photo | john abernathy
Jorge Chojolán started the Miguel Angel Asturias Academy (The Academy) for Guatemalan children in need of an education. Since his story was featured in NEED magazine, The Academy has undergone some significant changes.
Steve Mullaney, The Academy’s director of development, explained that since the publication of the article, the school has received great publicity. Due to increased awareness, The Academy will have its first ever graduating high school class this year, and more students are enrolled than ever before. The waiting list is full for the 2009 school year.
The Academy was also able to start this school year fully funded. Mullaney attributes this achievement to Chojolán’s promotional tour of the US. NEED supplied Chojolán with magazines that he was able to distribute for free wherever he spoke. As a result, Mullaney explained that being able to start the year fully funded “gave [The Academy] more time to focus on our mission.”
| |
“The ideas are spreading — it looks like more young projects
are able to get support easier because we are so visible.” |
|
Not only is this school encouraging students, but it is also inspiring other educators in the area. The innovative teaching methods that define The Academy are catching on. “The ideas are spreading … it looks more like young projects are able to get support easier because we are so visible,” says Mullaney.
>> read The Miguel Angel Asturias Academy feature article |
13-Year-Old Humanitarian | Issue 3
aisling and siobhàn reynolds play at the hoops of hope event. photo | john wright
When Austin Gutwein started Hoops of Hope, it inspired people across the nation. Aisling Reynolds and her daughter Siobhàn are two people who decided to take action.
| |
“I thought, ‘You know what? Here’s a kid doing something …
and I have a kid and she can help other kids.’” |
|
After first reading Austin’s article in NEED magazine, Aisling knew she wanted to help. “I thought, ‘You know what? Here’s a kid doing something … and I have a kid and she can help other kids.’ That’s really all it was, it seemed like such a heartwarming and uplifting story, and something that was so relatable. So we chatted about [hosting a basketball shoot-out], and Siobhàn was gung-ho for it right away,” explains Aisling.
After getting Siobhàn’s school involved, hanging posters and spreading the word, the mother and daughter hosted Hoops of Hope at the Marcy Open School gym.
The night was a success. Prizes were given, and upbeat music encouraged everyone to make more free-throws. The Marcy Open School gym was buzzing with excitement. Volunteers counted and retrieved balls at seven baskets, and everyone left with NEED magazine in hand.
“In the end we met our goal, ” Siobhàn declares. She went on to proudly explain how they met their initial goal of 1,000 USD in only two hours. By the end of the night people had shot over 6,000 baskets and raised $2,711 USD. Aisling and Siobhàn were told that the money they raised helped build a medical clinic in Zambia.
Aisling and Siobhàn hosted another Hoops of Hope event on December 6, 2008, in Minneapolis, MN. To improve fundraising for the next event, Aisling is focused on getting the school’s PTA involved. “That’s my goal this year, to get more of a widespread involvement,” Aisling says.
When asked why they decided to start their own Hoops of Hope event, Aisling says, “You know, it’s just one of those little things that you try to do, to make things better for everyone.”
>> read the Austin Gutwein, Hoops of Hope feature article |
ONE | Issue 1
preschool and kindergarten students in rabondo used to study outdoors due to overcrowding.
photo | candice towell
Before Timon Bondo’s article was published in NEED magazine, his nonprofit work was difficult to start. “We used to not know where to go … but now people have learned; that’s why I think the magazine is doing a lot of humanitarian services,” he says. Two years since the article’s publication, The Rabondo Community Project USA has made remarkable strides.
| |
“The article has had a lot of impact. … We have had many volunteers who want to come and visit or just come to talk to us about what we need and how they can help.” |
|
“The article has had a lot of impact. … In other words it’s raised awareness of what we are doing and the need. We have had many volunteers who want to come and visit or just come to talk to us about what we need and how they can help,” Bondo explains. This past September a group of volunteers visited Rabondo to explore options of providing clean water for the community. In addition to volunteers, the project has also received monetary gifts, donations and plenty of ideas.
Bondo explains that the project’s newfound credibility has led to more funding, which in turn will help 10 children go on to university at the end of this year. “I’m very thankful for the people who have given us resources to do the little we have done. It’s not that much, but for [Rabondo] it has made a difference.”
The readers’ response to the article has inspired Bondo as well. He says “You know, I like Americans. They want to be a part of something – to help move it and make a difference. That kind of spirit people have is good. … It inspires me more. [That spirit] is rare in many people.” Bondo explains that this inspiration has caused him to see success where he used to think it was impossible.
Kelly Abernathy met Timon Bondo at a neighborhood Halloween party. He explained how the party would benefit children in Rabondo, and showed Abernathy his article in NEED magazine. As she leafed through the magazine and discussed The Rabondo Community Project with Bondo, Abernathy was excited at the possibilities ahead.
Not long after the Halloween party, Abernathy and Bondo started working together on The Rabondo Community Project’s first fundraiser. In September of 2007, the Rabondo Village Party took place in St. Paul. The fundraiser featured live entertainment, traditional Kenyan food and a silent auction. All of the proceeds from the night went directly toward a new classroom in Rabondo.
In January 2008, Abernathy joined the Rabondo Community Project’s board of directors. She focuses much of her effort on the importance of education for girls and women’s health issues.
"I've always wanted to get involved with a program that helped others in need in Africa. After getting to know Timon and learning more about The Rabondo Community Project, I was inspired to get involved. He is very dedicated and passionate about the work that The Rabondo Community Project is doing and I know that all our time, efforts and any funds raised go directly to helping better the lives of the people in Rabondo," Abernathy concludes.
>> read the Rabondo Community Project feature article |
|
|
|
|
|
