A World We Dare to Imagine Part 3

Breaking Borders Boarding School

Breaking Borders’s mission is to provide a safe and collaborative environment for children to gain both strong academics and a broader view of the world. The project involves the establishment of a private boarding school fully funded by donations. The program begins in elementary school and extends throughout high school with children returning home for breaks. There will be students from a variety of different countries including some who have certain disabilities.

I believe that the diversity in cultures and abilities will not only heighten the children’s academic environment, but also allow for a greater development of compassion for one another. The children will come from different regions, will have faced different challenges, and each one will have their own story to share. 

This organization is unique in that it is creating an intangible resource, empathy. Although its effects will not be immediate, the long lasting impact that schools like this can have across the world is unlimited. This issue is especially important to me because as a psychology minor I have learned how lack of empathy and bullying, can bring long-lasting detrimental effects. I have also seen through volunteering at the Los Angeles Blind Children’s Center that when students with different capabilities and different backgrounds are put together, they develop a new appreciation for one another. Different perspectives bring greater critical thinking. Challenges taken on together and individual victories are celebrated collectively.

Anima Mundi Development Partners should support this organization because some of the biggest problems surrounding global justice today stem from a common denominator, a lack of empathy. This lack of understanding of one another is what keeps people from reaching out and helping others in need. This project has the potential to bring a change in mindset, how we think about each other, and how we react to the struggles of others.

Humanity Built by Empathy

My Better World 

I believe that the biggest problems involved in global justice today stem from a common denominator, a lack of empathy. The average person living in the U.S. cannot begin to imagine the everyday struggles that someone may be dealing with in Africa. This is also true even for those living within the U.S. A wealthy man living in San Francisco does not feel the same hardships of a man who just lost his family in Hurricane Katrina. As the world has grown, expanded, and become more diverse we have grown disconnected from each other. I believe this disconnect is what keeps people from wanting to reach out help others in need. My first step in making the world a better place would be to work to shorten this gap and establish a sense of global unity.

The project I propose involves the establishment of a private boarding school that would be fully funded by donations. The schools would begin in elementary school and extend throughout high school with children returning home for breaks.

 The schools would allow for students from a variety of different countries to all learn in one place. I believe that the diversity in cultures would not only heighten the children’s academic environment but also allow for a greater development of empathy. The children will all be coming from different geographies, different cultures, different religions, and each one will have their own story to share.

I got the idea for this project while volunteering at the Blind Children’s Center here in LA. Although the school was established to cater to the visually impaired, many families opt to send their children to the school who are not visually impaired in order for them to develop a better sense of understanding and compassion. I believe that this project could later expand to also include children with disabilities once enough resources were acquired. Although it would be a small step that may not be directly saving lives at the start, I believe this project has the potential to bring a change in mindset, how we think about each other and how we react to the struggles of others.

Spring Break Trip to Hawaii

A Hui Hou Kakou Hawaii 

I like to actually relax on my spring break rather than go on one of the wild and crazy Cabo "vacations." Lucky for me my roommate at school is from the peaceful and tranquil island of Hawaii. I went with some of my friends from school for a little over a week to visit my friend's hometown on Oahu as well as the island of Kauai so that it could be an adventure for her too. 

Our first stop was on the island of Kauai, where we stayed in Poipu. The main thing we wanted to do while we were in Kauai was hike so we made sure to go to the Hanakapi'ai Trail. Lucky for us there was an amazing rainbow the morning we were there that was absolutely breathtaking. 

There was also an amazing view of a canyon where a lady persisted in yelling at us for getting too close to the edge. We didn't all share her fear of heights so thankfully she didn't follow us as we made our way to the much riskier waterfall. 

The best part about Kauai was by far the food. I tried poke for the first time which is pieces of fresh, raw fish that can be paired with various sauces and avocado. I also tried shave ice for the first time at a famous food truck on the island called Wishing Well. The shave ice comes in various different flavors from guava to coffee and can be paired with ice cream and condensed milk. 

While on Kauai we also made our way to Hanalei Bay. It was there that I was able to attempt to surf for the first time. Normally there are very few waves in this spot but during the winter months the surf can be pretty strong. Although I didn't have much luck catching waves it was definitely still a fun time with some amazing views. 

After Kauai we made our way to Oahu. On a rainy morning we took another hike to a trail called the Pill Boxes. This name was given to this trial as there used to be an army lookout points at the very top of the trail. We went early in the morning to see the sunrise but unfortunately the weather was too cloudy to see it. We realized on our way down how muddy the trail had gotten from the rain and were covered in it after slipping and sliding all the way to the bottom.

On our last night we went to a super touristy bar called Cuckoo Coconuts that served drinks in full pineapples. Although it may not have been an authentic Hawaiian experience it was extremely entertaining. The live musician (in the back of the picture) was by far the best I have ever seen, he even got me up to do the twist in front of an entire audience. 

Being from the East Coast I never made it out to Hawaii as a kid, the plane ride was too long for my parents. I am so lucky to have been able to experience such a unique and beautiful island during my time here at USC. If you have never been to Hawaii I highly recommend it. There is so much to do with beaches, hikes, and city life. Not only are there tons of activities but the culture itself is worth the trip. I will definitely be back but for now A Hui Hou Kakou Hawaii (until we meet again Hawaii). 

A Little Saturday Night Culture

My First Visit to Art Shows in Chinatown 

Last night I went to Coagula Curatorial to see the work of Abel Alejandre. Abel Alejandre was at the event talking about his artwork and the inspiration behind it. This particular exhibit contained artwork inspired by conspiracies and secrets, those of the world, his friends, and even some of his own. I was particularly fond of his work involving snapback hats, as a more functional form of art. I was surprised that there were not many roosters in the artwork as they were such an integral part of the work displayed on his website.

I popped in some of the other art shows. One of the shows had a live band playing right outside with a lot of artwork inspired by British culture. 

In another showroom there was artist in the middle of working on some pieces. 

Another showroom outside the alley had artwork that I was really fond of. At first the paintings seemed pretty simple but with a closer look you could find little hidden surprises that really added depth to the art. The artist also included some sculptures like the mushrooms featured below. 

Overall the trip to Chinatown was a really awesome experience. I have never been to an art show opening before and it was interesting to experience the art community scene. It seemed to me that a lot of the people in attendance were artists themselves and that it was a pretty tight knit community. It was also great to talk to the artists themselves as knowing the meaning and inspirations behind the artwork made seeing it that much more enjoyable.