Hey Everyone,
O2 Treehouse has some updates for all of you! Some of you
are new to the O2 idea and some of you have supported us for a while now, we
appreciate all of you and hope that you continue to be a part of our story! We
could actually use a lot of your support right now. At the moment we are
participating in an online social networking site called Changents; we were
chosen as a Change Agent and Earthkeeper. The site is dedicated to people
heading up innovative social and environmental projects. There is the
opportunity for us to win a $5,000 grant to fund our project abroad. We are
asking all of you to take a quick jaunt to the site and "back us". The more
backers we have the better chance of winning. There are many inspiring projects
on the site that you should also look at, but make sure to back us!
Here is the Changents website:
http://changents.com/o2treehouse
In case you aren't aware of what our project is…
We are continuing our mission to create a cooperatively
owned eco-tourism business in the community of Aira, Ethiopia. The O2 Treehouse
will of course be the focus of the business as visitors and volunteers will
stay in the treehouses which will be made from bamboo and other local
materials.
The idea behind all of this is that the revenues generated
from the eco-tourism business will be reinvested in community projects such as
water conservation, health, agriculture, small business development, and
technological advancement. The most exciting part is that all who visit this
diverse community will participate in reciprocal learning initiatives. While
people (hopefully you someday!) will enjoy all that the area has to offer they
will also get to know the culture intimately as the community will be your host
along the way. In return you have the opportunity to share your knowledge and
skills with this community. These communities are full of children who are
eager to learn so they can become world-savvy individuals. Their need to become
self-sufficient and provide their basic needs keeps most of these communities
from reaching their potential.
How can you support us in all of this? Your words of
encouragement are always appreciated! Visiting us on Changents to see our
pictures, read our blog, and learn more about us. Also any other way you want
to get involved let us know. We are always open to new ideas! If you want to
help build the treehouses too, we might have a need for you on the team for our
next build…