Rescuers: Teaching Empathy and Resisting Violence
- Behavioral issues
- Child exploitation
- Child soldiers
- Education
- Girls' development
- Youth development
- Youth leadership
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
Leora
Kahn
PROOF: Media for Social Justice
, NY, Larchmont
Other.
Other
1‐5 years
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Operating for more than 5 years
The pathway to peace is within each of us. PROOF teaches empathy, compassion + righteous actions and promotes peacebuilding in us all.
PROOF is helping unearth and promote peacebuilding through media. We help locate the good in others and spread that light.
The solution has been activated in two countries. Here is an update:
I. Cambodia:
a. Three workshops held with 25 youth participants attending each workshop.
b. Creation of exhibition of Rescuer photos in Cambodia.
c. Executive director of PROOF gave two lectures at University in Cambodia, reaching more than 200 students.
II. Bosnia:
a. With a local partner, PROOF organized a symposium on Rescuers that was attended by 200 college students.
b. PROOF gave lectures on Rescuers to more than 500 participants at six different locations in Bosnia.
c. Public exhibition for Rescuers created, viewed by more than 1,000 people.
Return to Cambodia and Bosnia to run more workshops and host more lectures on PROOF's approach and its impact. PROOF will also work in Nepal and Colombia, co-hosting workshops for high school students with locale partners, collecting rescuer testimonies and organizing public exhibitions of rescuer stories and photos.
300 students participate in PROOF workshops in four countries. Four PROOF public exhibitions, viewed by 2,000 individuals.
Identify local partners in Cambodia, Bosnia, Nepal and Colombia
PROOF spends 2 weeks per setting, working closely with NGO partners and students
PROOF and local partner host 3 workshops per setting with 25 students each, workshops are 3-days each
1,000 students participate in PROOF workshops in 8 countries. Eight PROOF public exhibitions, viewed by 8,000 individuals
Identify local partners in eight countries
PROOF spends 2 weeks per setting, working closely with NGO partners and students
PROOF and local partner host 3 workshops per setting with 25 students each, workshops are 3-days each
I have always been an adventurer and traveler. When I was in Rwanda, I met Regan, a Hutu. Regan walked me through the village, showing me the path he takes each day to tend the farm, to visit family and friends in neighboring huts or to drink a beer with a buddy at a local tavern. While sharing with me his life today, he also retraced his steps and recounted the days leading up to the Genocide and what motivated him not to fight, but to help.
His bravery amazes me to this day. As I reflect upon Regan and others like him, I am struck by the thought that as much as we thank and elevate these individuals’ actions, I do believe that within each of us, sits a rescuer.
PROOF relies on strong partnerships to further its work. Whether a partner be like the River Kids in Cambodia or the U.S. Mission in Bosnia, PROOF leverages the unique point of view and expertise of its partners to collect and share stories of Rescuers.
PROOF relies heavily on student interns to help with research, outreach and fundraising. To date, there is only one paid staff member; an administrative assistant. PROOF's board is very involved in operations through fundraising and technical assistance. PROOF needs more paid staff. The Executive Director has yet to take any salary, routing all donations into program activities. With paid staff (e.g. fundraiser, workshop coordinator), PROOF could manage current goals, sustain and grow its operations and reach more individuals.
PROOF has managed to do so well to date because of the executive director's persistence and her network. PROOF recognizes the value of networking and is ready to share that strength.