Another guest post. I am currently in Melbourne in a state of overdrive. After months of drifting around the world, eating, biking and visiting friends at a leisurely pace, its now time to enter the real world. And I seem to be entering it in with a bang and a sudden rush of inspiration and ideas that make it hard for me to concentrate for more than about 36 seconds.

But it has made me appreciate when good ideas and projects should be supported and Patrick Shepard, a fabulous and incredibly talented Scot who can basically claim to be a Kiwi now if he wants, is in the process of implementing one. This is what he is up to:

“It’s called the Good Karma Project and it sees myself and a friend heading to Thailand, near the Burmese Border, to volunteer with a charity called Children on the Edge. For six weeks, we will work with Burmese refugee children, teaching them photography, writing, and art. At the same time back home, we will commission Kiwi artists to create works of art based on the stories, photos and artwork of the children. This work (along with the children’s) will be exhibited and sold in Wellington next year at a kick-ass exhibition. All proceeds raised from the event will be sent straight back to the children to provide crucial welfare aid and supplies.

The Good Karma Edition of Exposure Lifestyles will showcase the trip, the children, and similar creative advocacy work being done across New Zealand. There will also be a documentary made and screened at the exhibition opening.

We need your help:

1. Donate: “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” Check out our donation suggestions below. Every bit pushes the project forward!
2. Share: Please forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested in this project. Knowledge is power people.
3. Other projects: If you know of other advocacy projects going on in New Zealand, we’d love to feature them in the Good Karma Edition! Check out this example for the types of projects we’re talking about, King Kapisi and Teremoana Rapley are working as ambassadors for these guys: http://www.tinytoonescambodia.com/

DONATION DIET

We realise it’s a recession and we understand that sometimes it’s hard to give a little elsewhere when you’re struggling to make ends meet. That’s why we thought we could suggest some ‘donation diets’ where you sacrifice a few of the creature comforts you’re used to for just one week. We will be forever grateful!

The $10 Donation Diet

INSTEAD OF: Catching the bus every day to and from work when you live near the CBD. ESTIMATED COST = $10

HOW ABOUT: Setting off 20 mins earlier and wandering along Queens Wharf to and from home. You’re sure to happily bump into someone on the way home that you’ve wanted to catch up with. ESTIMATED COST = Priceless.

GOOD KARMA DONATION: $10

The $30 Donation Diet

INSTEAD OF: Dinner for two at that nearby restaurant ordering Tortellini and Lamb Shanks plus a bottle of wine to share. ESTIMATED COST = $61 dollars

HOW ABOUT: Takeaway pizzas and a six pack of Pilsners to share under the setting sun on Oriental Parade. ESTIMATED COST = $31

GOOD KARMA DONATION: $30

The $40 Donation Diet

INSTEAD OF: Getting wasted at a local restaurant/bar and buying those rounds of drinks nobody needs at 3am. ESTIMATED COST = $68

HOW ABOUT: Bring back the house party that weekend, cook cheerios and nuggets and consume a sophisticated dozen+ and legitimately dance on the tables. ESTIMATED COST = $28

GOOD KARMA DONATION: $40

An ENORMOUS thank you to all those who have already given a little! Check out our Give A Little site to donate by credit card and spread the Good Karma love. If you’re not a fan of the plastic or would like to donate a larger amount, please email me back and we can tell you other methods.