NOVEMBER 20-28, 2009
High Clouders will travel to India over Thanksgiving to work with
children in New Delhi and Kolkata. We'll be implementing Clouds of
Knowledge, Sports and Nutrition. In these communities, children often
work to support their families, so they must neglect their education.
Come along to help High Cloud give these children what they need. To
find more information, or to donate to the cause click HERE.
Contact for this trip:
xiao.liu@highcloud.org
Go to India with High Cloud!
High Clouders - Sunday, September 13, 2009
Almond Butter: A healthy PB&J alternative
High Clouders - Sunday, September 13, 2009
By High Cloud's Nutritionist Lorie King, CHHC
Tired
of the old PB&J standby? One way to create a new taste bud
sensation is to use almond butter in place of peanut butter. Not only
will it give you sandwich variety, but almond butter has some
impressive stats: six times more calcium than peanut butter, three
times the amount of vitamin E and twice the iron. Peanut butter has
slightly more protein than almond butter, but not enough to outweigh
the healthy benefits of almond butter. Additionally, peanuts are more
prone to mold and thus, for individuals with candida or mold
sensitivities, peanut butter may aggravate the symptoms.
I like to use raw, unsalted almond butter. For a treat I enjoy
spreading it on whole grain, gluten-free crackers with a little
blackstrap molasses drizzled on top. Another favorite is to stir a
spoonful of almond butter into a warm bowl of quinoa (talked about in a
previous newsletter). Top this off with a sprinkle of cinnamon and
your favorite sweetener (e.g., raw honey, blackstrap molasses, stevia,
100% pure maple syrup) and you've got a tasty meal. It reminds me of a
warm cookie. Almond butter is also a great dip for apples, celery, or
carrots. I found the best place to buy raw almond butter is at Trader
Joe's. They have the best price of any of the health food stores I've
visited in the area.
Now you can make yourself an almond butter and jelly sandwich and
you can tell your friends you're eating an AB&J and see what kind
of response you get. Enjoy!
'Grand Old Marathon Man' runs for High Cloud
High Clouders - Sunday, September 13, 2009
Written by Megan Zingarelli
"What exercise could be more natural for a human being?" asks Dr. Ashis Roy.
He says no exercise could be more natural than running. However, this High Clouder has turned running into something a little unnatural -- running almost 100 marathons in the past 25 years -- all at older than 50.
He says no exercise could be more natural than running. However, this High Clouder has turned running into something a little unnatural -- running almost 100 marathons in the past 25 years -- all at older than 50.
The 77-year-old doctor and India native will finish his
97th marathon in October when he runs with High Clouders in the Marine
Corps Marathon.
Roy joined High Cloud after a friend told him of the work the
foundation does in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). He said that because
he was already running so much he wanted to start running for a
charity.
"It is a great honor for me to work with High Cloud, which is
working to alleviate the sufferings of millions of poverty-stricken
children all over the world, including my own motherland India," he
said.
Roy will join High Cloud on its upcoming humanitarian mission to India in November.
Roy is known as 'The Grand Old Marathon Man of India' in his home
country. This distinction has led to many news articles about him, as
well the publication of Roy's book The Joy of Running, which sells in India.
He filled the work with advice for runners of various abilities,
and he intends the book as an ode to the sport. Roy himself started
running at age 52.
"You can start running any time," he says. "Running is the best exercise because it's most natural for a human being."
Birds fly for exercise, he says, and crocodiles swim, so why shouldn't humans use their legs?
He urges new runners to begin on soft surfaces, such as soccer
fields, to avoid joint aches. He instructs beginners to run a few days
a week, gradually increasing by half a mile every two weeks. Runners
should shoot for 40 miles per week when training for a half marathon,
and even more when working toward a full marathon.
Roy has only been living in the U.S. since April, but he says he
has long admired how Americans popularized the sport. He hopes to move
more people in India to run.
"I'm an unusually fit man in my country, and I look youthful because of the exercise," he says.
To learn more about Dr. Roy's life and career, check out Wikipedia . This article even includes a breakdown of his marathons by country.
High Cloud battles on through Kenyan drought
High Clouders - Sunday, September 13, 2009
Written by Megan Zingarelli
High Clouders in Kenya are continuing to implement educational projects despite a severe drought. We reported a few months ago that many children have forsaken their education to follow the cattle that constitutes families' livelihoods. Rachel Herbers, High Cloud's liaison to Africa called the situation "a matter of survival for both the livestock and the family."
The UN's World Food Program reports four million Kenyans face hunger because of the drought. The dry conditions cover most of the country, including the Rift Valley where High Cloud is working. The drought is threatening Kenya's economic necessities of tourism and agriculture. Lack of rain has felled crops and forced cattle -- and the families that manage herds -- to stay on the move.
Despite these conditions, the MAGSA Good Salvage Outreach program, High Cloud's partner, has been solving many problems that Masaai children were already facing. These include providing lunch, learning about the environment, securing clean drinking water, and getting kids who lack tuition money into school.
MAGSA Outreach reports, however, that scarce transportation and spotty Internet service need resolution. The program is requesting more funding, especially for motorbikes to get food, teachers and volunteers to and from project sites.
With food prices and political tensions rising, these tasks could be harder. High Cloud will continue to send updates on this situation.
High Clouders in Kenya are continuing to implement educational projects despite a severe drought. We reported a few months ago that many children have forsaken their education to follow the cattle that constitutes families' livelihoods. Rachel Herbers, High Cloud's liaison to Africa called the situation "a matter of survival for both the livestock and the family."
The UN's World Food Program reports four million Kenyans face hunger because of the drought. The dry conditions cover most of the country, including the Rift Valley where High Cloud is working. The drought is threatening Kenya's economic necessities of tourism and agriculture. Lack of rain has felled crops and forced cattle -- and the families that manage herds -- to stay on the move.
Despite these conditions, the MAGSA Good Salvage Outreach program, High Cloud's partner, has been solving many problems that Masaai children were already facing. These include providing lunch, learning about the environment, securing clean drinking water, and getting kids who lack tuition money into school.
"It gave children from poor families [a chance] to be shown
concern and to learn that they are loved," noted a recent report from MAGSA
Outreach.
MAGSA Outreach reports, however, that scarce transportation and spotty Internet service need resolution. The program is requesting more funding, especially for motorbikes to get food, teachers and volunteers to and from project sites.
With food prices and political tensions rising, these tasks could be harder. High Cloud will continue to send updates on this situation.
To learn more about the conditions in Kenya,
take a look at this article from The New York Times.
High Cloud brings structure to Peruvian school
High Clouders - Sunday, September 13, 2009
Written by Megan Zingarelli
When High Cloud started working with Rayito del Sol school, children's safety and education concerned the community. But just a year into this Lima, Peru-based project, and after much help from interns this summer, the school stands more secure.
When High Cloud started working with Rayito del Sol school, children's safety and education concerned the community. But just a year into this Lima, Peru-based project, and after much help from interns this summer, the school stands more secure.
"I believe High Cloud has had a very positive
impact on the school, Rayito del Sol, as well as the surrounding community,"
said Noelle Hilmer, a summer intern at the school. "The community seems to
really embrace and trust the organization, and they're eager to work with High
Cloud."
Noelle and partner David Bratton, both students
at Notre Dame University, spent most of the summer volunteering in Lima and
Cuzco. While there, the two worked with the communities and partner organization Peru's
Challenge to alleviate the poor facilities in which children from
five to 18 years old learn.
"These are very, very low income families," said
Maribel Ramos, High Cloud's coordinator for Peru. "A lot of times these
families make a hundred dollars a month or less, and it's amazing the
involvement they've put in with High Cloud."
The pinnacle of their project was construction
of a retaining wall at the school, which sits on a hill. David said
building the wall improved the children's safety. In an area with
frequent earthquakes, the structure needed extra support. He said the
project also offered an opportunity for parents to engage with their children's
education. Parents took turns each week working with a professional bricklayer
to build the wall.
"Building the wall of contention this summer was
very important to the parents of the children because it ensures the children
will be in a safer environment," said Noelle. "The parents were more than
willing to help with the construction of the wall, and even held a fundraiser
while we were there."
Along with this project, David and Noelle
presented English language, health and environment programs. Maribel stressed
that educating the children about the environment is key in South America.
"Especially in a country where the pollution
level is really high, communities are starting to focus on environmental
issues," she said. "We need to make sure as they grow older that it's a big
focus because it will affect them and the communities."
Along with the education and construction
work, David and Noelle spent time getting to know the children and their
families at outings and fundraisers. David said this part of the internship was
the best for him because he wanted to immerse himself in the culture and community. The Peruvians impressed him.
"The families didn't have much, but they were
extremely generous and loving, and they brought us right in," he said.
Noelle said that she felt the same way, and she
even has plans to return to Lima to visit the children in October.
"I absolutely love working with children, so it
was very important to develop relationships with the children while I was
there," she said.
The community around Rayito del Sol will have to continue its work,
according to David, Noelle and Maribel. The children need a school building
that is firmly constructed, as well as a real bathroom.
"Right now the building is made out of not-quite
cardboard, but it's getting there, and the bathroom is just a hole in the
ground," said David
Noelle concurs.
"The small school, only about 8 meters by 8
meters, is constructed out of a very thin, warped wood, with a tin roof that
just doesn't seem to hold very well anymore. Building another classroom that is
more sustainable, possibly out of brick, would help the teacher immensely, as
well as last for many years to come," she said.
A High Cloud August!
High Clouders - Sunday, September 13, 2009
"Philanthropy
derives from Ancient Greek, meaning 'to love people.' Philanthropy is
the act of donating money, goods, services, time and/or effort to
support a socially beneficial cause, with a defined objective and with
no financial or material reward to the donor." (Definition from Wikipedia)
When our personal passions are combined with our innate ability to give back to others, we fulfill our hidden potential and harness our capacity to make a difference. In the world of humanitarian endeavors, we all have a transformative power that can cross any language, religion or culture.
In August, we received beautiful reports from our children in Africa where, thanks to your help, the High Clouders gave the life-transforming power of education to many children of the Masaai Community and Nairobi, Kenya. Our High Cloud children around the world continuously acquire critical thinking skills to read with joy and understanding and learn about the world by interacting with the High Cloud Ambassadors from Australia, the United States and Canada. The High Clouders have successfully provided classes and workshops on English as a second language, environmental topics, math and sports. These have helped the children to develop a true sense of self-achievement and allowed them to excel at all of their classes. Because of the High Clouders' determination, high spirits and commitment for helping the children and the global community, our children have seen outside of their limited worlds. At this moment we invite you to join us on our journey. Every day we engage in multiple initiatives and projects at home and throughout the world.
Join the High Cloud Ning site at http://highcloud.ning.com where you can chat with High Clouders and post questions and comments ranging from philanthropy, sports, social life, and business to anything that matters to you! You can also share your expertise or benefit from others' experiences so that together we can achieve extraordinary things.
When our personal passions are combined with our innate ability to give back to others, we fulfill our hidden potential and harness our capacity to make a difference. In the world of humanitarian endeavors, we all have a transformative power that can cross any language, religion or culture.
In August, we received beautiful reports from our children in Africa where, thanks to your help, the High Clouders gave the life-transforming power of education to many children of the Masaai Community and Nairobi, Kenya. Our High Cloud children around the world continuously acquire critical thinking skills to read with joy and understanding and learn about the world by interacting with the High Cloud Ambassadors from Australia, the United States and Canada. The High Clouders have successfully provided classes and workshops on English as a second language, environmental topics, math and sports. These have helped the children to develop a true sense of self-achievement and allowed them to excel at all of their classes. Because of the High Clouders' determination, high spirits and commitment for helping the children and the global community, our children have seen outside of their limited worlds. At this moment we invite you to join us on our journey. Every day we engage in multiple initiatives and projects at home and throughout the world.
Join the High Cloud Ning site at http://highcloud.ning.com where you can chat with High Clouders and post questions and comments ranging from philanthropy, sports, social life, and business to anything that matters to you! You can also share your expertise or benefit from others' experiences so that together we can achieve extraordinary things.
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