Visions Global Empowerment

Construction Continues on the KVLC in Colombo

2009-09-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

Visions Scholarship Program Relaunched!

2009-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Visions is very pleased to announce that the Visions Scholarship Program has been officially restarted. In February 2009, the first of the new scholarship recipients has been identified. A former Visions student from Jaffna, Anantharosa is a very deserving young man in need of assistance to pursue his career goals. We first came to know Anantharosa in 2004 when Visions held its second ever camp at the children's home where he was staying. Visions Director Greg Buie was able to meet with Anantharosa last month in Colombo to discuss the details of his scholarship. We believe this is just the start of a much larger program we are committed to in order to support other young people just like him. We wish him all the best!

New Visions Leadership Education Program Launched: 13th & 14th Visions Leadership Trainings

2009-02-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

After much work went into further developing and refining the Visions Leadership Education Program curriculum, our new materials were put to the test this last month in Sri Lanka. Two more Visions trainings were held in Colombo this January/February at Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College), the school with which Visions is partnering on the Kalagam Visions Learning Centre project. 50 young women and 26 teachers benefitted from an intense training program designed to develop personal leadership skills, encourage critical thinking and questioning, teach generally about human rights and past influential leaders, and look analytically at the major issues shaping our world today. Visions has now directly trained over 725 individuals across 3 countries! Overall, theses trainings were an incredibly successful start to our newly revamped leadership training program. Valuable feedback was obtained from the participants in order to continue to better this program, but all who joined us were grateful for the opportunity.

Prior to departure, Visions put together teacher supply kits for all teachers participating in the leadership training. In addition to the general training, teachers were shown various creative teaching techniques and activities that they can employ in the classroom at little or no cost. To get them started on a few of those which require some basic supplies, each teacher was given a supply kit, as well as other basic classroom resources. All participants, both students and teachers, are always able to keep the Visions Leadership Handbooks we put together. These written materials have now been divided into 3 separate books (all of which the participants may keep): Guide to Leadership & Life Skills, Guide to Human Rights & Citizenship, and Guide to Global and Local Issues.

Here are some photos from the teachers training:

School Book Drive Collects 7,800+ Books for Schools & Libraries

2008-10-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Last week, students at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California held a book drive for Visions and collected over 7,800 books! It was an exceptional effort organized by ASB student leaders, Yvonne & Mignotae, and supported by the entire school. Approximately 2,300 culturally-appropriate academic textbooks, children's books, fiction and nonfiction works, and other books were sorted and will be shipped to local schools in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The remaining 5,500 books were donated to four grateful local libraries in Placentia, Anaheim, Orange, and Yorba Linda, California. Thank you to all who supported this fantastic effort. The books being shipped to Sri Lanka will serve Visions youth for many years to come.

It took Visions staff 3 days to sort through the thousands of books, which will be shipped to Sri Lanka and are due to arrive in Colombo on December 14, 2008. The books have been donated to Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College), a school based in Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo which now serves over 2400 children, including many recently displaced youth. The school is run by Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam, a nonprofit organization which Visions is partnering with on the Kalagam Visions Learning Centre (KVLC--due to begin construction shortly). The books will be added to the school's library and incorporated into the KVLC once it is complete. The teachers and students are very grateful to receive this generous donation.

Photo Shoot Fundraiser held in San Diego

2008-06-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

San Diego professional photographer Anouk Vashe (www.anoukvashe.com) held a fundraiser for Visions on June 14th at her studio in North Park, San Diego. Anouk planned and organized the fundraiser, drawing upon her own talents and skills. This is a perfect example for how YOU can get involved with Visions too...be creative and do what you're best at, what you're passionate about. This photo shoot fundraiser raised a small amount of money for both Visions and Anouk's program fee in Kenya this summer when she volunteers with Visions. Congrats, Anouk, and thank you for your support!

Anouk at her studio in North Park, San Diego, CA

You too can organize your own fundraiser or event. More and more people are getting behind our organization in this manner. We encourage you to think of what you can do to help us help youth in Sri Lanka, Kenya, and (as of this summer) India. We look forward to working with you!

Visions Photo Shoot Fundraiser: June 14th

2008-06-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

In just a few days professional photographer Anouk Vashe will open up her studio in San Diego (North Park) for seriously discounted prices in order to raise money for the Visions Leadership & Empowerment Camps in Kenya this summer. On Saturday, June 14th from 1:00-6:00pm Anouk will be holding private photo shoots at significantly discounted rates. The money will benefit the Visions summer camps (50% of the proceeds), as well as Anouk's trip to Kenya to work directly with the youth this August.

For the entire day Anouk will be scheduling people interested in taking professional photos of themselves, their family, their friends...you decide! There is NO sitting fee. Pricing is $25 for 3 shots, $50 for 10 shots, or $75 for 20 shots. All images (corrected & edited) will be burned on a CD and given to you then and there. We would love to have your support in this unique fundraising effort. To sign up, simply email gtbuie@gmail.com. All the details of the event, including location, will be mailed to you.

We would appreciate it very much if you could please share this unique opportunity with your friends and contacts as well. Thank you very much! Hope to see you there~

Local Volunteer Organizes Supply Drive

2008-06-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Special thanks are due to Elaine Lin, a junior at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, CA, for organizing a supplies drive for the Visions Leadership & Empowerment Camps in Sri Lanka & Kenya this summer. By reaching out to other student organizations on campus, friends, and local businesses, Elaine was able to raise roughly $700 in supplies and money for Visions. Elaine took the personal initiative to contact Visions and organize this effort independently, as she was simply interested in get involved and helping others who have so little. With her help most of the items on the Visions Wishlist have now been removed, as we are near our goal of getting all the supplies for the summer camps donated. There are, however, a few items left, including many books. So if you would like to help, please visit our Wishlist here (Visions Wishlist 2008) and help us help the youth in Sri Lanka & Kenya have a meaningful educational experience this summer. Thank you, Elaine, and all those who took part in this drive. It is heroes like you that drive our organization...

We want YOU to join Visions!

2008-05-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

The growth of Visions over the past few months has been incredibly exciting (and challenging) for those of us behind the organization. And we need your continued support to help build this nonprofit into something even better! This is an open invitation to ANY & ALL persons who are interested in getting involved in the nonprofit field, in helping disadvantaged youth & orphans, in building communities & local capacity so that we may one day live in a more equitable and prosperous world. Whether you have a ton of experience or none at all, you are welcome to join us. Visions relies heavily on the support of volunteers (locally and abroad) and could not function without the generous support of committed individuals who share our passion to change the world.

You can help by offering your professional services (particularly IT, website, financial, legal, marketing, nonprofit, etc.), by volunteering your time either locally or abroad for any amount of time, by helping Visions to network and reach out to as many people as possible, by planning and organizing your own event or fundraiser, by starting your own local chapter of Visions in your city, by attending a Visions event or fundraiser, by getting a corporate contribution from your company or encouraging them to participate in an employee matching program, or by simply making a donation. The possibilities are endless. But we need your help. We are growing, and we want you to be a part of it. This is such an exciting time for us. Please join us and help us to make a real, lasting impact on the lives of young people in Sri Lanka & Kenya!

‘Fashions at the Cove’ Raises $2,721.47 for Visions Summer Leadership Camps

2008-04-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

The 1^st Annual ‘Fashions at the Cove’ Charity Fashion Show to benefit Visions was held on Thursday, April 17^th at the La Jolla Cove Suites in beautiful Downtown La Jolla. Over 120 guests attended the event, which raised $2,721.47 for the annual Visions Summer Leadership Camps in Sri Lanka and Kenya. With the help of many volunteers, including 15 gorgeous models, a DJ, an MC, a few former Visions summer volunteers, and several others, the event went incredibly well. The setting and weather could not have been more perfect either.

The event was planned by Trent Holland, a graduating senior at UC San Diego who is volunteering in Kenya this summer, and Visions Co-Director Greg Buie. Special thanks are due to the La Jolla Cove Suites for generously donating the incredible venue with picturesque views of the ocean and beaches, professional photographer Anouk Vashe for her beautiful photos at no charge to Visions, Chillers Clothing, LF La Jolla, Dreamgirls Boutique, all the models and volunteers, and all who came to the event and/or donated to the cause. We are extremely grateful for your
support!

Upcoming Visions Events--Get Involved!

2008-04-05T15:35:00.001-07:00

There are several new Visions events coming up soon. Learn about our efforts--get involved--support important initiatives to help give opportunities to underprivileged youth. We need your help! For more information on any of the events listed below or to RSVP, please email gtbuie@gmail.com. Thank you!

'Fashions at the Cove' Charity Fashion Show
Thursday, April 17th
5:00-7:00pm
La Jolla Cove Suites rooftop, La Jolla, CA
Tickets: $15-students; $25-Community
**Tickets are still available!**

Social Fundraiser
Friday, May 23rd
5:30-8:30pm
New York City, NY

Sri Lanka Young Professionals Conference:
Education & Development in Sri Lanka
Sunday, May 25th
9:00am-3:00pm
Columbia University, New York City, NY

'Going Global in an IT World':
Workshop for 2 proposed IT Institutes in Sri Lanka
Saturday, June 21st
9:00am-5:00pm
Moore Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
**We are looking for speakers and participants who are
knowledgeable in the realm of IT & computers**

'Fashions at the Cove' Charity Fashion Show: Fashion, Fun, Philanthropy!

2008-03-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

Come support Visions and efforts to help uplift disadvantaged youth and communities in Sri Lanka & Kenya, by attending 'Fashions at the Cove', a Charity Fashion Show to be held on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 from 5:00-7:00pm on the rooftop of the La Jolla Cove Suites Hotel in La Jolla. Come enjoy the fashion, music, food, presentations, and beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and La Jolla beaches during sunset, while raising money for a good cause!

You are officially invited to attend this event, and we encourage you to bring as many family or friends as you like. Tickets will be $15.00 for students and $25.00 for all other community members.

As you may or may not know, one key element of Visions is the Visions Leadership Camp, a number of which take place annually during the summer time. The funds of this charity fashion show will go towards funding this summer's camps—1 large one in Sri Lanka and 2 smaller ones in Kenya. In total, we will be directly training approximately 220 youth and 20 teachers across both countries.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, you are most welcome to do so. Donations to Visions are tax-deductible [Tax ID code #95-3504080]. Please make checks out to "Operation USA" (Visions' fiscal sponsor) with "Visions" written on the subject line at the bottom left, and mail them to: 1861 Chalcedony St. #C, San Diego, CA, 92109. All donations are very much appreciated!

If you have any questions or would like to purchase/sell any tickets, just let us know. We can get those out to you ASAP. Email gtbuie@gmail.com or fashionsatthecove@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Map to La Jolla Cove Suites: click here

*Parking is not available at the hotel; please park at the La Jolla Financial Building (click here for a map) or find public parking on the streets or at a nearby lot.

*Confirmed Participating Designers/Boutiques:
Naomi Hwang & Jeremiah (Otis College)
Dreamgirls Boutique in Ocean Beach (shopdreamgirls.com)
LF Stores in La Jolla (LFstores.com)
Eric, Chillers Clothing (www.chillersclothing.com)

Apply Now! Visions 2008 Summer Leadership Camps!

2008-02-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

Dear all prospective Visions volunteers,

Thank you all for expressing interest in Visions and in bettering the lives of disadvantaged young people in Sri Lanka and Kenya! We thrive on passionate and ambitious volunteers who want to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children who have faced hardship and adversity. After months of planning and preparation, we would formally like to invite you to apply to volunteer with our Visions Leadership Camps this summer in Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Please send us an email and we will be happy to send you the following documents that explain our organization, the summer camps, and the application process:

1. A letter of introduction about the Visions organization and the summer leadership camps for 2008.
2. A general explanation of the Visions summer camps, curriculum, daily schedules, and overall plan, which gives more insight into exactly what you will be doing by volunteering with Visions.
3. The Visions Application & Release for prospective volunteers, which should be filled out and returned to us along with a $35 application fee.
4. An update on the Visions summer 2008 camps in both Sri Lanka and Kenya, which contains pertinent information about planning and applying for the Visions camps. Please read this, as it covers very important information about the tentative nature of the scheduled dates and camp locations.

If you would like to request a printed copy of these introduction and application materials, we will be happy to mail you a copy if you provide us with your mailing address. Otherwise, please print and read over the attached information in full, and send your application back to us as soon as you are ready. If you have any questions or concerns, please email or call us, and we will be happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you!

All the best,

~The Visions Team

Greg Buie
Visions Co-Director
gtbuie@gmail.com
714.315.0518

www.visionsforthefuture.org

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."--Gandhi

Kalagam Visions Learning Centre (KVLC)--We Need Your Help!!

2008-02-18T21:31:00.000-08:00

Introducing the Kalagam Visions Learning Centre (Colombo)...

Working in partnership with Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam, a Sri Lanka-based nonprofit, construction and development of the KVLC will begin in early 2008. This multistoried learning center will house a Visions office, ample space for student groups and activities (including aesthetics) from the adjacent school (Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam), halls for special trainings and English, a computer lab, a multimedia room, and a Montessori nursery. Over 400 refugee children from the Northeast will benefit from this project, as well as countless other disadvantaged and deserving youth and teachers!

Financial Estimates for the KVLC

Land: US $400,000
*12 perches of land in Colombo already donated by Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam as their initial contribution
*Location: 22 Rudra Mawatha, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka

Building: US $320,000
*Cost is approx. US $80,000 per floor x 4 floors (Phase 1)
*Visions/Operation USA donated the first 2 floors of the building with US $160,000
*Private donations have so far amounted to US $10,000

Total Estimated Cost: US $720,000

Donations Received to-date: US $570,000

Amount Still Needed: US $150,000

We need your help—please donate to this important project today! Please send donations to either one of the following:

Hindu Women’s Society
23, Rudra Mawatha
Colombo 06
Sri Lanka

**Please make checks payable to: 'Hindu Women's Society'

Visions
1621 Barry Ave. #PH1
Los Angeles, CA 90025
U.S.A.

**Please make your tax-exempt donation (in USA) by sending a check payable to ‘Operation USA’ [Tax ID#95-3504080], specifying ‘Visions—KVLC’ on the subject line.

"Lighting the Way" Event in Pasadena was a success!

2008-01-28T21:54:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, January 26th in Pasadena, California, Visions held an event to share exciting news about the Kalagam Visions Learning Centre and the growth of our organization in general. "Lighting the Way", the theme of this event, was inspired by the work of Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam (SMK), a nonprofit women's society in Sri Lanka. SMK is committed to bettering the lives of young people in Sri Lanka through education, including culture and language, and general student support. The main focus of SMK is their all girls school located in Colombo, which has recently absorbed more than 400 internally displaced children.

Mrs. Sivanandini Duraiswamy, President of the organization, traveled from Sri Lanka for this inauguration event to establish a partnership between Visions (visionsforthefuture.org), Operation USA (opusa.org), and Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam(mangaiyarkalagam.org). These three organizations will be working closely to develop the Kalagam Visions Learning Centre in Colombo. This new learning centre will house a nursery, Visions office, computer lab, multimedia room, large hall for special events and training sessions, and rooms for students activities and music/dance. It is an exciting project that will benefit disadvantaged Tamil youth in Colombo, many of whom have fled the Northeast or will be brought to Colombo, for years to come.

We thank those of you who came to learn more about Visions' continued efforts to provide education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment to disadvantaged youth! If you would like to donate to the Kalagam Visions Learning Centre fund, please send checks (made out to 'Operation USA' with 'Visions--Learning Centre' written on the subject line) to:

Visions
1621 Barry Ave. #PH1
Los Angeles, CA 90025

"All good things we build end up building us."--Jim Rohn

Visions Camps in Sri Lanka, December 2007

2007-12-11T04:02:00.000-08:00

A 5-day Visions student leadership training camp was held in Colombo from December 3-7, 2007 at Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College). The students established an SLC (Student Leadership Committee) and are eagerly planning events already. They will also be involved in the implementation of the Visions Learning Center project during this next crucial year of development.

The first ever (!) Visions teacher training camp was held in Colombo from December 8-9, 2007, also at Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam (Hindu Ladies College). The teachers were very pleased and grateful; it was also a great opportunity for Visions to begin to develop its teacher training programs. Lessons were held in how to teach leadership, human rights, and citizenship, as well as how to foster personal character development within all students. Special sessions in creative approaches to teaching and Visions Learning Center support were also conducted. We hope to engage the teachers at this school more in the near future and branch out to many more teachers throughout the island.

To view the complete album from these latest Visions camps, please click on the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2201153&l=24999&id=3309175

Clarification about Summer Trip Dates & Expenses

2007-11-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a more detailed description of the trip dates and activities for the Sri Lanka and Kenya trips:

SRI LANKA:

Activity	Dates	Location
Training & Orientation	July 29-30, 2008	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Leadership Camp 1	August 1-9, 2008	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Day of Rest & Exploration	August 10, 2008	Around Colombo, Sri Lanka
Retreat	August 11-13, 2008	Kandy, Sri Lanka

KENYA:

Activity	Dates	Location
Training & Orientation	August 14-16, 2008	Nairobi, Kenya
Transit to Campsite	August 10, 2008	Near Nairobi, Kenya
Leadership Camp 2	August 18-23, 2008	Kenya
Day of Rest & Exploration	August 24, 2008	Kenya
Leadership Camp 3	August 25-30, 2008	Kenya
Day of Rest & Exploration	August 31, 2008	Kenya
Retreat	September 1-3, 2008	Masai Mara, Kenya

There is also a correction about pricing. I forgot to take account of certain expenses and need to update the projected cost of the trip. The new figure I am working with is $1295 per person (exclusive of airfare) for Sri Lanka and $1395 per person (exclusive of airfare) for Kenya. This amount will cover you for the entire 2.5 weeks in Sri Lanka OR the entire 3 weeks in Kenya. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Email me with any questions or concerns you may have (gtbuie@gmail.com).

Visions Holiday Wishlist

2007-10-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

The new Visions Amazon Wishlist is now up for any and all who wish to donate to Visions during this holiday season. Please help Visions by giving the gift of education to disadavantaged youth in Sri Lanka & Kenya during this season of giving. All the supplies we need for our upcoming teacher and student training camps in both countries are available for purchase on the Amazon Wishlist. Help ensurethat these needy children receive a quality education by contributing to the Visions organization and visiting our Visions wishlist:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/ref=wlem-si-html_viewall/104-5430587-2367964?id=3S7WEXZB1KQOS

We thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion!

Sincerely,

Greg & Meera, Visions Co-Directors

Mother Teresa Speaks on Poverty & Giving

2007-10-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

Let us all learn a lesson about giving from 1979 Nobel Peace Prize Winner & humanitarian leader Mother Teresa, who during her lifetime gave herself entirely to the cause of alleviating the suffering and despair of countless persons in India and providing a source of inspiration to persons worldwide. Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying in Calcutta, India offered a place of final respite for the homeless, sick, elderly, and neglected persons that she and her colleagues literally rescued from the streets. She provides an example of true moral leadership and self-sacrifice in the name of chairty and compassion. We cannot stand idly by as so many in this world suffer; we can no longer pretend to be ignorant about what is going on in the world today; the time for us ALL to make a difference is NOW.

2007-10-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Visions Blog!

While waiting for the Visions website to be entirely redone, I thought it might be a good idea to start a blog and keep people updated on the latest Visions news. I will periodically post any new information about Visions, including current efforts, fundraisers and events, and future volunteer opportunities, etc. Welcome to the Visions blog!

Visions 2006 students Iresha, Ayesha, and Nayana proudly display their Visions certificates upon completion of a 9-day Visions Leadership Camp in Keliyapura, Sri Lanka.

2007-10-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

Proudly Announcing: Visions 2008 Summer Volunteer Opportunities!!

After much thought, I have decided to go ahead and set up more Visions camps this coming summer (July/August 2008) in both Sri Lanka and Kenya! I am planning 4 Visions Leadership Camps for 2008, the most camps we've ever held in a single summer since our beginnings in 2003. This summer we will be working with many more teachers than ever before, giving them direct training alongside the students. They will participate in special sessions while still joining the students in many activities & lessons, as well as assisting the volunteers and students throughout. We are also planning our first ever Visions follow-up Leadership Camp for past Visions students who have already done the basic training and are hoping to participate in something more advanced.

*Special follow-up session/camp with past Visions students #1 (SRI LANKA--COLOMBO):
July 23 (Wednesday) -- July 26 (Saturday)

*Leadership Camp #1 (SRI LANKA--COLOMBO): July 28 (Monday) -- August 3 (Sunday)

*Leadership Camp #2 (KENYA--KISUMU):
August 11 (Monday) -- August 16 (Saturday)

*Leadership Camp #3 (KENYA--AHERO):
August 18 (Monday) -- August 23 (Saturday)

***All volunteers will undergo a mandatory Visions training prior to transiting to the campsites. We will stay at a hotel, do the training there, and get to see a bit of the capital city. All meals, transportation, training materials, hotel fees, etc. will be covered in your program expense. The training sessions are:

~July 21-22, 2008 (SRI LANKA--COLOMBO)
~August 8-9, 2008 (KENYA--NAIROBI)

***Sri Lanka volunteers will go on a mini-vacation to a destination yet to be determined after their service. This will provide time to relax, do a little sightseeing, and enjoy the local culture and traditions.

***Kenya volunteers will go on a 2-day safari to the Masai Mara Reserve in Southern Kenya after their service. This will provide time to see the amazing Great Migration, relax, and enjoy the beautiful sights and culture of Kenya.

***Expected program costs will be $995 (exclusive of airfare) for approx. 3 weeks in Sri Lanka OR approx. 3 weeks in Kenya. If you wish to attend all camps in both countries, the cost would therefore be roughly $1990 for approx. 7 weeks (exclusive of airfare). The cost of this year's trip has been heavily reduced (50% off from last year) due to early and active fundraising efforts.

***You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you would like, in either or both countries. Costs will be adjusted accordingly.

If you are interested in volunteering with Visions this summer, then I need the following things from you, the sooner the better (to reserve your spot):

1. An email to let me know you're interested and applying (or thinking about applying)
2. A completed application and waiver of release form, along with $25 non-refundable
application fee (which will go towards your total program fee, if you do committ).
3. A non-refundable $350 deposit by April 10, 2007.

4. A decision whether you'd like to book your own airfare or let me do it for you (sending me your flight details, in case of the latter).

To express interest, to reserve a spot, or to ask a question, please email gtbuie@gmail.com.

"The highest prayer in this world is service,
the greatest devotion is loving the people around us:
and the noblest character trait is divine compassion for all living creatures."

--Swami Chinmayananda