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*Note: This post will be continuously updated and will always be the first post. For other new personal posts, please read below.*
Help me to change the world one smile at a time:)
What is The Smile Train?The Smile Train is an organization that is focused on changing the world one smile at a time. It literally does this by repairing facial deformities specifically cleft lips and palates. A cleft is a split or separation on the lip or the palate or both. This condition is a major problem in developing countries where millions of children suffer from unrepaired clefts. Most cannot eat or speak properly. They aren't allowed to attend school or hold a job and face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache. For a glimpse about The Smile Train, you can click here.
My involvement:
When I read that there is a way to change the world- and through increasing the number of smiles- I felt that this is the best way possible to make that change where I can do something.
I have decided to run a donation drive to encourage all Malaysians to contribute to this cause. I'm currently working on a banner where Malaysians who donate to this cause can put their signatures down on it. I've arranged for a trip to the Charles Pinto Centre on June 2010 and will personally hand the banner to the centre during my visit.
To reach more Malaysians, I'd be giving speeches in public and private organisations.
Updates: for previous updates, please refer to the sidebar
- Received permission from Dr Hirji Adenwalla of Charles Pinto Centre in India to visit the Cleft Lip Department in June.
- Wrote to The Star newspaper to ask for aid in promoting the cause by running the story in their publication.
- Wrote a letter to my college CUCMS asking for support- now the Student Service Committee is aware of it.
To do:
- 16th January: Practice speech at MIM KL Toastmasters Club
- Design and print Banner for donors to sign
- ...
==========Smile Train Project ongoing===========
4 comments:
Sponsors/donors (especially big big companies) usually would want benefits from their donations, hence you should explain to them what would thy get from donating.
e.g - should do :
1)classifying sponsors into different categories (main, official, others)
2)putting their logos on your banner (sizes differ)
3)making them your official(only) broadcast/newspaper
4)ensure that their names are mentioned in your speeches
*give a shot on the morning shows like Malaysia Hari Ini (tv3), The breakfast show (ntv7) or even hitz.fm and Ikim.fm who knows thy might make free cool adverts for ya or feature ya on their shows. Make a standard letter and send to all broadcasting n publication companies. Thy will ring you up if thy are interested.
Liaise with NGO's and educational institutions and perhaps celebrities. Remember, sometimes you cant do it alone since this is your first big project. Co-organizing and establishing liaison will certainly help ya a lot.
These things are crucial as it determines how fast you can get ppl to donate for this cause and also the amount that thy would chip in. Note, it all depends on how big you want this to be. And for me I think this could be a huge project. Now you decide.
I bet you know this already but just in case you have missed it out. Hope that helps. Thank you.
hi alia! this is victoria and Kiki, you emailed us on tips to help raise money. This is a beautiful website that you ahve created and you have many beautiful ideas. We would love to give you ideas. You can contact us at smiletrainmtl@hotmail.com
keep up the great work!
-victoria & Kiki
Give a Child With a Cleft Palate a second Chance at Life <3
Alia, when u r ready, I can help connect u with the TV/radio stations (bfm, etc) and local papers (NST, Berita Harian ...). Things might move slowly at first but as long as you work on it steadily, it will gather momentum. Love and hugs
Anon, thank you soo much for your lengthy and extremely helpful suggestions! Wow that's really amazing! I've taken a few into account. Honestly speaking when the plan first started, I didn't think it would get so big; now I'm really not so sure how big it would get because it's more or less a one man show. But I'm doing the best I can right now and hope that it'll all work out. It's a trial and improvement, this project:) Do drop by my blog from time to time and share your other invaluable suggestions.
Kiki and Victoria, thanks for dropping by. I'll be updating my blog with my progress.
Ummi, your support and encouragement means a lot to me. You'd know that the most:)
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