As  of  May 15, we are still accepting applications for:

• Dining Hall Host
• Janitorial & Support Services

Looking forward to hearing from more global citizens who want to part of our summer team!

our Iraqi participants are coming 12 cities in Iraq

In many cases, there can be a great deal of diversity within a single country. This is very true of countries like Indonesia and Iraq. This year, unlike previous years, our Iraqi participants will be coming from 12 different cities in Iraq! As many know, the north of Iraq differs greatly from the south of country  in many ways-ethnicity, culture, topography etc. Our Indonesian participants will be arriving from new locations as well: the cities of Madura and Palangkaraya (in addition to Jakarta). Participants from Madura and Palangkaraya were intentionally selected due to their relative lack of contact with  the rest of the world.

Indonesians in 2012 are coming from Madura, Palangkaraya and Jakarta

As Iraq works to rebuild itself after years of war, it’s important the young Iraqis who attend the Global Youth Village come from different locations in Iraq; it is helpful for young Iraqis to appreciate the different ideas and perspectives that exist within their own country. In a nation that always seems to perch on the brink of civil war, youth who are aware, united and appreciative of the diversity within their own country can only be an asset.

Participants harvest tomatoes in the organic garden

This weekend, millions of people around the world will gather to celebrate Earth Day with the goal of educating and mobilizing people about environmental issues. The first Earth Day celebration was held on April 22, 1970 and was pretty much responsible for giving birth to the modern environmental movement. At Global Youth Village, every day is Earth Day and since the beginning of our program in 1979, there has always been an emphasis on educating youth about  our environment and green living.

In 2012, we will be offering a Green Your World workshop which will get youth out of the classroom and into the natural world. Participants will enjoy nature hikes, work on stream monitoring projects, learn to identify  birds and plants  and enjoy harvesting vegetables form our organic garden.  For the past two summers, youth have also had the opportunity to build models of eco-friendly homes and make pizza using a solar oven! Hands-on projects make the program dynamic. Energy  and energy conservation have been  important discussion topics and with gas prices hitting $4, they will definitely be a key discussion topic for 2012 as well.

Participants begin to realize that small actions like turning the tap off when you are brushing your teeth and turning off lights you are not using can make a big difference. They also being to realize the interconnectedness of everything. For example, the toxic fertilizers that are used on lawns or on farms ends up polluting our ground drinking water and killing fish in rivers and streams when it washes off the soil during a heavy rain.  So, when wasteful and irresponsible behaviors, attitudes and habits shift to become positive ones, every day becomes Earth Day.

HAPPY EARTH DAY EVERYONE!

The recent bloodshed and violence in Syria is heartbreaking for Lama and for many around the world who empathize with the Syrian people.  Today, an agreement between the Syrian government and was finally reached to ensure safety for peace observers  between the U.N. and the Syrian government.  However, the situation remains quite fragile.  Lama shares her poignant thoughts on the dire situation in Syria.

“The situation  in my homeland is certainly complicated. There are many critical questions still in the midst of debate. For instance, is it primarily an internal issue or is it an external influence? Is it secular or is it religious? Is it for democracy, power, or self-interest? As a Syrian-American, it is difficult for me to obtain accurate information on the situation in Syria to help answer these questions.

However, while the arguments continue, it’s time for the people to realize that although one person may believe the color of the stars on the Syrian flag should be red, while another says they should be green—the color of bloodshed is one. I believe that there needs to be more coordination and support for Syrian civilians through providing humanitarian aid. Also, the most influential powers should come to their humanitarian senses and help to repair the damage that’s been done, improve the conditions that the people are living in, and alleviate the pain and fear that humanity sees each day not knowing whether they will see the sun rise tomorrow.

This is what some of my family in Syria is experiencing… more than twenty million of them. I care equally for people experiencing similar hardship in all other countries and I can tell you one thing they all agree on. Every human being deserves the right to live in safety and peace. Destroying, killing, and occupying are not going to solve anything. So as a Syrian-American and GYV alumni, I would like to conclude by saying that the Syrian people are one, and the only thing we ask for is safety and peace for all.”

Name

Nationality: USA

Years participated: Participant 1986, 1987, 1988

Education: I studied Physics and Computer Science at the University of Washington (Seattle)

Occupation: Program Manager, Speech Recognition Platform, Microsoft

Most interesting country visited: South Korea

Favorite GYV Memory: There are too many to list, but some that jump out are:
·        Spending lots of time with Alan Larson learning about amateur radio and getting my license (I actually earned three different levels of radio license over my years at Legacy).

·        Putting up a large water storage tank with Gavin Dock as part of an “Appropriate Technology” session (1988)

·        Rock climbing and repelling as part of an “Adventure” session (1986)

Volunteer experience since GYV:
Over the years I’ve volunteered for many different local organizations. Most recently I brought my oldest daughter along when we used an XRF analyzer to help test donated toys for heavy metals and other toxic substances before they were given to children in need.

Biography:
I was born and raised in Stony Brook, NY (on Long Island). For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for technology; I was a tinkerer and loved to understand how things worked. My time at Legacy gave me a better understanding of the world and allowed me to explore my passion while I got my amateur radio license (my first year there I earned my Novice radio license).

I graduated from High School in January of 1991 and in June I moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.  A few weeks after arriving in Seattle, I was introduced to computers and the internet (the internet was a bit smaller in 1991) where people were communicating with each other from around the world (much like ham radio).  I studied Physics, but I always found myself focusing on the computer programming assignments.  In 1993 I met Kasey (who was also a student at the UW) and in 1995 we were married.

As students, we struggled financially so in early 1996 I  left school to work doing web development. By early 1997 I found myself working full-time at Microsoft as a Program Manager in the developer tools division. Kasey and I had always wanted three children; one adopted and two natural.  In 1999 we adopted our first child; Clara (she was 11 months old at the time).  In 2000, I moved into the Speech Components Group and became the Program Manager for the speech platform (SAPI).  In 2001, I moved to the newly formed Tablet PC group and became the Program Manager for the tablet platform. Our second child, Alice, was born in 2004 and our third, Jack, arrived in 2006. I moved back to the Speech group in 2007 where I work today as the Program Manager for the speech platform.

It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since I was last in Bedford.  I still have many fond memories of my time at Legacy and hope to send at least one of my children there in the coming years.  In the last few years I’ve gotten back in touch with several friends from Legacy and would love to catch up with more; please contact me at arin@thegoldbergs.org or http://www.facebook.com/aring.

Arin's kids from left to right: Alice, Jack and Clara

In your peace-building workshop today, you are practicing mediation techniques and learning how to improve your listening skills.  You are amazed at how much you learn each day.  The facilitator is never boring and she is always using fun teaching methods like games and simulations.  You are beginning to understand what leadership is all about and you get lots of opportunities to practice being a leader.

Time flies when you’re having fun because it’s already lunchtime! A traditional Indonesian dish, gado gado,  is being served for lunch.  You’re still getting used to the vegetarian meals and discovering that they are pretty good.

After lunch, you unwind in your cabin and listen to your i-Pod for a bit.  Next, it’s time for electives. This session, yoga, rock-climbing, African dance and pottery are some of the electives being offered. You can’t wait to try pottery for the first time!!! At 4:15, the camp store opens and everyone can help themselves to an organic cold drink, chips or an ice-cream. Just what you need to cool off on a hot summer day. You sit next to your new friend from France and ask him what typical school day is like and discover it’s a bit different from yours. It’s free-time now, so you choose to play ping-pong with another friend from Nigeria and you win! The daily schedule seems to offer a lot of variety.

At dinner time, you offer to teach the group how to say ‘Thank you’ in Chinese before the meal. You make it back up the hill for a rousing game of soccer before gathering time. This evening program is Wacky Olympics and the staff have put together a cool program: a watermelon eating contest, cracker-whistle game, bean-bag obstacle course and  a dress-up relay!  Your team loses the relay but wins the watermelon eating contest!!  It’s already 11 PM and time to head back to the cabins.  You’re tired but happy. It’s been another typical yet amazing day at the Global Youth Village!

Nationality: African American

Participant during: 1985

Education: The American University

Occupation: Event Manager/Promoter

Most Interesting Country Visited: Egypt

Favorite GYV Memory: Middle East Visit, cleaning up beaches at the Red Sea!

Volunteer/Civic Engagement Activities since Global Youth Village: Community volunteer at local nursing facilities with youth

Biography: I live in Maryland and I’ve been married now for 15 years! My son is now 13 years old and will be entering high school in the fall. Time flies! I am an event manager/promoter for for Diet to Go.  We push healthier lifestyles and diets primarily at Health Fairs. I have a real passion for everything healthy, a natural diet and natural healing and medicine. I’m also a supporter of PETA.

In Iran

In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the two-week Persian New Year celebration, or Nowruz, always begins on the first day of spring.  On that day-which may occur on March 20, 21, or 22 - Nowruz celebrations include many traditions and wonderful foods.

Nowruz ceremonies consist of a series of symbolic actions dating back to ancient times, including:

• Cleaning of the environment, cleansing of the self, confession of sins, the exorcising of devils, or divs, from the house and the community.
• Forgive yourself and your enemies and a time for making up relationships.
• Dowsing and re-lighting the fires.
• Processions to borders, seas, and rivers.
• Disruption of the normal order of things with boisterous parties.
  

  Haft-Seen is a traditional Iranian table setting for the spring festival

In Ethiopia

Enkutatash is the spring festival that is celebrated on September 11.  Enkutatash means the “GIFT OF JEWELS.” Legend has it that when the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her back by replenishing her treasury with enku or jewels.

Ethopians have many unique celebrations to mark the arrival of spring/New Year. On the eve of enkutatash, many people light big bonfires made of twigs in their yards.  In the morning, the floors of houses are strewn with freshly cut tall grass (kaytema). Families will often attend church and then slaughter a sheep or a chicken for an evening feast. Later in the day, young girls donning new clothes, gather daisies and present friends with a bouquet, singing New Year’s songs. They often receive a small gift in return, usually either money or bread. Young boys paint pictures of saints to give away and also receive a small token in return.

 In Peru

The  international spring festival in the city of Trujilo, Peru takes place during early October.  Trujilo is known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ due to its very pleasant year-round climate.  One of the main features of the Festival is the spectacular Spring Parade with music bands, dance groups and a colorful parade of floats, competing in beauty and originality. During this festivity, homes lining the streets of Trujillo are decorated for the passing of the parade of floats which is led by a beauty queen:  the Queen of Spring.

You see leadership programs everywhere, but Legacy’s program is one of the oldest and most respected in the world.

For the past 33 years, our curriculums have emphasized learning by experience.  Activities teach about such concepts as the value of cooperation over competition through simulations. They emphasize community mindedness.  It’s not all talk;  it is about action and living by example.  Add to it the intercultural and international components and it is truly unique.

In addition to training young adults, Legacy has also trained thousands of business professionals and government officials.  We use very specific leadership development methods that give proven results.   Our work has been noted and admired by officials at the U.S. State Department as well as by partner organizations operating all over the world!  To observe leadership training and community building at GYV, watch   Mary Helmig’s video.