Changes for New Hope Humanitarian Magazine March/April 2019 issue

Ch anges f or New Hope Humani tari an M agazi ne Bringing Compassionate People around the World Together March/April 2019 Vol.3 Issue 3

Wel c o me Bac k

Edit or 's Cor n er

Jim Killon

Recipient of the David Chow Humanitarian Award

Did you miss me? We have decided to make this publication a bi-monthly issue which will give us more time to connect with people we think you will enjoy reading about, write articles that are motivating and inspirational and still be able to continue our humanitarian work here in the Peruvian Andes. This year Changes for New Hope will reach 10,000 children with anemia and parasitic micro-organisms.

In this issue you will find articles that inspire, move you to a higher place in your life and sometimes we need to growl a little bit and have done so in an article about volunteer placement organizations and dabblers. I believe that we have the obligation to set a few things straight and keep them that way when necessary.

The big news is the launching of the Jim Killon Humanitarian Awards. After almost dying last July in a violent robbery attack, I felt I needed to create something which will outlast me that will recognize other humanitarians and altruistic people who share the values, vision and dreams that I have embraced over the last decade. Legacy not ego.

Those of you who have been following us through these magazine articles and have shared your thoughts and appreciation, I thank you sincerely. While the television distractions cloud what a wonderful world we actually do live in, I try to bring to you the "other side" and highlight many of those whose lives are fulfilled by selflessness and compassion. I hope you find yourself inspired enough to step out into your own vision of your true purpose in life.

Live large my friends, live deliberately. ~~~~

Jim Killon

Here is What You Will Be Enj oying in This I ssue Announcing the 2019

Article

Jim Killon Humanitarian Awards Ego or Legacy?

You Hold The Power of Change

Spoiler Alert.. Legacy

by Zack Comm

Reflections

Volunteering in the 3rd

Small Mementos

World and the Selling of

Sitting On My Desk

Moral Licenses

We Rise Up By Lifting Others Article by Kristin Van Busum

Doing Good Feels Great !

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

In your "The Final Thought" you mentioned that time is our most valuable asset. So true! It is the only thing that we all get the same amount of no matter who we are. Thanks for sharing how we can use it best by helping others, hence our true purpose of living is revealed.

"Don't Be Boring" was a real uplift for me. Enough of the 9-5 grind for me. I still have to go to work everyday but I now look forward to being my best at whatever I do and whoever I happen to be with. Quality of life is my choice and starts within myself. ~~ Jennifer A. Barstow, California

~~ George J. Lisbon, Portugal

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

I just finished your newest book, "Silver Linings.

Words of encouragement, love and being limitless" It is now my coffee table book. I read something out of it every morning now and go to work feeling like I can accomplish anything. I hope there is a sequel that follows.

I live in such a state of gratitude as a result of reading the articles in your magazine each month. A simple "thank you" for what so many take for granted makes the difference between ordinary living and a wonderful life.

~~ Myungsook R. Seoul South Korea

Thank YOU! ~~ Pamela H. Oslo, Norway

Send your letters to the Editor at cnhmagazine@gmail.com

What we ar e accomplishing wit h t his magazine?

1. To recognize humanitarians and like minded individuals for their selfless work in the field.

2. To raise awareness for their projects by sharing their stories and projects with the world. Hopefully this will encourage fund raising efforts and support.

3. To draw corporate sponsorship to our program for mutual benefit. Corporate PR can be enhanced by their association. Funding will support the projects throughout the world that meet criteria we believe is critical.

4. To develop an alliance among individuals to share ideas, challenges, "how to" support and stories of progress. To be there for each other in good times and bad.

We are no longer alone.

5. To provide independent credibility to individuals leading projects for their further development.

6. To give you a platform and a forum for your ideas and thoughts. What you have learned, you can share.

7. To provide transparency for NGOs so that donors and sponsors understand that each partner is fully vetted and contribution can be sent with confidence.

8. To melt the indifference and apathy in the world that enables suffering in 3rd world countries to continue.

9. To present nominated NGO leaders with a humanitarian award for their selfless service toward the disadvantaged, under-served and destitute.

10. To ultimately alleviate the desperation, the destitution and suffering that countless thousands endure which we encounter each day and restore human dignity, compassion in action and well being for everyone.

Th e 2019 Jim Killon Hu m an it ar ian Aw ar ds Ok, let me beat everybody to the punch and respond to what I know you are probably thinking; I am not a narcissist. I wanted to create this humanitarian award out of a deep concern for so many dedicated and compassionate people around the world who are making incredible inroads to find solutions to human suffering where they serve. I looked up humanitarian awards available around the globe and found that there were many however they were either very specific for a narrow group of individuals or awarded to people who are already famous and world renown.

Those who have followed our magazine each month know that I am passionately engaged in solutions. This humanitarian award is another one of these solutions I endeavor to create.

Why should there be a humanitarian award for the obscure and nearly hidden altruistic individuals? a) It is a gesture of gratitude for their compassion in action. Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools available to the human race. b) It is a tangible expression of recognition for those who have set aside their own personal ambitions to alleviate the suffering of others. c) The credibility afforded by such an award opens doors for humanitarians as they seek grants, co-operation from government agencies for assistance needed to accomplish objectives and fund raising efforts. Small NGOs and other non-profits are notoriously anemic in their funding because they are either unknown or donors prefer to give to well known and well advertised charities. Case in point Catholic Charities USA received $858 million last year compared to Changes for New Hope that received less than $5000. Of course the number of people served is a contrast in the millions to be fair.

Let 's Tal k About That 800 Pound Gor il l a in t he Room Why is this being called The Jim Killon Humanitarian Award? Was I not breast fed as a child?

It has nothing to do with having an uncontrollable ego. Last year in July, 2018, I was viciously attacked by two thugs in front of my home who beat me so severely that I nearly died and needed months to recover. I was left unconscious in a pool of my own blood and I believed that death was certain to soon follow from the internal injuries. Two things happened.. One, when I regained consciousness, I was smiling, knowing that I was one of the rare individuals that found my purpose in life as a humanitarian and if I died, I was going to die on empty, having completed the goals and objectives that I came to Peru to do. Of course, unless I am writing this from the grave, I did not die. I could continue my work of love and reach thousands more disadvantaged children here in Peru's Andes.

I decided to jettison the obstacles that either intentionally or unintentionally had blocked me from accomplishing an even wider range of objectives. This experience definitely showed me who my friends were, and were not. Over two hundred people reached out to me to share their outrage about the attack and concern for my safety and condition, for which I am grateful.

The second awareness was that, had I died that night, there would have been some slow walking and low talking but a year later, conceivably, Changes for New Hope and the name Jim Killon would be an ever fading memory and whatever I had been to people would be buried under the daily life that consumed everybody and forgotten. Now at age sixty two, how many tomorrows do I have anyway? I believe I need to create something that will outlast my physical existence. I want the sense of altruism and compassion in action to continue to grow and reach out beyond merely here in Peru, beyond people's temporary notion of giving, sharing or doing for the disadvantaged beyond any holiday season or the time it takes to stroke a check at the office. >>>>>

The Jim Killon Hum anit arian Award is a Legacy I Want t o Leave Behind.

I believe that people will Google this award and ask "Who in the hell is Jim Killon?" I want people to read about who I was (but still am because I am still on this side of the grass) I want people to understand the motivation for recognizing some great people who no one would ever know about otherwise. I hope that people would be inspired to emulate and step into a project, wherever they can and for as long as they are able. I believe small changes make for great advancements that benefits thousands. Consider a commitment of 1% of your day to be dedicated for the benefit of someone else' (someone who does not have your last name) which is only fourteen minutes. Imagine if half of the people in your office or school decided to join you in that effort. What a wonderful world! Try it!

So many people, nearly everyone, will pass through this life from the cradle to the crypt without leaving as much as a footprint here to let people know that they ever existed. Think about it. Go to any cemetery and look around. Would you see anybody there that you would recognize by their legacy and accomplishments during their lifetime? Realize that you are going to occupy a grave just like that one day. Call it whatever you like but when it is my time, I don't want to be Jim who? but Jim You-Know-Who. I believe that greatness is within us all.

Who do you know t hat deserves t o be recognized for t heir selfless act s of kindness and com passion?

Let me know at CNHmagazine@gmail.com. In time I hope to make this an event where award winners will receive a plague at a ceremony that will publicly recognize their achievements in a manner that is well deserved and long overdue. ~~ Jim Killon

" I h ear babies cr y, I w at ch t h em gr ow , Th ey 'll lear n m u ch m or e, Th an I'll ever k n ow.

An d I t h in k t o m yself , Wh at a w on der f u l Wor ld" ~~ Lou is Ar m st r on g " Wh at a Won der f u l Wor ld"

Wr it e For Us Wh et h er you ar e a special per son ... or an aver age per son ...

Ever ybody h as a st or y t o sh ar e, som et h in g t h at you k n ow t h at ot h er s w ou ld ben ef it f r om h ear in g.

So let 's h ear it !

Wr it e t o u s an d sh ar e you r br illian ce...

Sen d you r t h ou gh t s, com m en t s, you r f eelin gs or r an t s t o u s at cn h m agazin e@gm ail.com

Small Mementos Sitting On My Desk In my work area at home, I keep small reminders in front of me. Mementos of events that I want to remind myself about that reinforces my reasons for being here in Peru. I reflect on those mementos and consider what actions to take, toward to betterment of the children whose numbers in our project continue to grow, as well as how to stand against the inhibitors of good things happening.

My wall is covered with drawings and pictures made by the children. I am proud of their creativity and it makes me smile to have those in front of me. I have a poster that says "No Te Rindas" which means 'Don't Give Up'. It is a reminder that successes are built on the rubble of negatives, long forgotten. Tenacity, shining in the face of all adversity is what makes average men, great men. I have a map of Ancash, the department of Peru where we are, and highlighted in yellow marker, where we want to be established in the near future. I am never more than arm's reach of a pen and paper to jot down ideas which come to me by our dedicated volunteers or that buzz about in my own head. There are several lists I have written,

ideas, plans, people that I want to talk to, sponsors to thank, and solutions to adversities that will be soon neutralized.

Sitting side by side at the front of my desk are a small pair of baby shoes and a spent tear gas cannister that was fired by the police at a rioting crowd during the December 2010 protest strikes.

In glaring contrast to each other, I wonder if the child who will wear these shoes will grow up in a society that believes that violence is the response to anything objectionable, or will those of us who believe in peaceful change somehow instill a more intelligent way to bring about change.

The clock is ticking and I do not have more than a few years to create something positive in these young minds. Then it is social pressures that will have their turn. The absolute value of education, values and concepts and a creativity to make a better life for themselves and each other must be available so that the regression into violence, hostility and "the evil that men do" is not their sole option. ~~ Jim Killon

We Ris e Up By Lif t ing Ot her s Because more than half of the women reading this will experience assault, abuse, and violence in their lifetimes. Because nearly all women reading this will experience gender discrimination or harassment. Because every minute a young girl, somewhere in the world, becomes a child bride against her will. Because girls are more likely to be malnourished than boys, and women are more likely to be illiterate than men. Because 8 out of 10 of us dislike our bodies. Because girls in Nicaragua don?t understand that saying ?no? is their choice. Because our periods are taboo, and our bodies are objectified. Because it was called the Monica Lewinsky scandal, not the Bill Clinton scandal. Because when we speak loudly our voice is too shrill. Because when we are prepared and knowledgeable, we are less relatable. Because we represent 50 percent of the world?s population and are considered a minority. Because we still qualify the word ?woman? with unnecessary

adjectives

like

?strong?

and

?beautiful.?

Because

woman-founded companies have better outcomes but receive less than 3 percent of venture capital dollars. Because women and girls across the world are at higher risk of rape and domestic violence from men and intimate partners than of cancer, accidents, war, and malaria. Because being a a single mother puts you at high risk of poverty in the United States. Because the world tells us to compete with each other to make it to the top. Because we?re bossy, not leaders. Because we?re too prudish or too slutty or too thick or too thin. Because we will spend over $230K on beauty products in our lifetime. Because social "norms" limit women's agency and justify unequal power dynamics. Because today, March 8, we pause to honor the brave women who have fought for more just and equitable societies. We have a long way to go, but we're in this together. ~~~ Kristin Van Busum

Kr ist in Van Bu su m Humanitarian Social Advocate and Founder of Project Alianza in Nicaragua

Apat h y is Hu m an it y 's M ost Pr of ou n d Hu m iliat ion

But Wh at?

VOLUNTEERINGINTHE3RDWORLD ANDTHESELLINGOFMORALLICENSES I believe that the world is a beautiful place. Challenges and all, even with 785 million hungry people on the planet, I believe that the world is a beautiful place and getting better. I know too many great humans that have selflessly served in places most of us couldn't find on a map. Names, that you may never hear, are doing the seemingly impossible purely out of a sense of compassion because it needs to get done.

What is the difference between humanitarians and what I came to call, "The Dabblers"?

Though they might serve shoulder to shoulder in some remote Ugandan jungle or Andean mountainside, one will look around and ask themselves, "What else can I be doing here to help?" the Dabbler asks, "Has anybody seen this Instagram photo of my dog's new puppies?"

One came to leave a piece of the world a better place, the other is padding a resume and counting the days before they are back home sitting in a Starbucks. The 3rd world villages will never hear from them again. The humanitarian stays in touch, continues their support with letters of encouragement and if possible, financial support as well. A humanitarian understands that a two month stint in a 3rd world environ will not change the world nor qualify them for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Dabbler is already checking where to post the photos on social media. The difference between a hero and a hack.

Ironically, the blame needs to be shared with those who profit from the volunteer opportunities that they advertise and promote. Fees run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on services offered. Based on the enormous profit to be made

by NGOs and volunteer placement organizations, there might be the teensiest fudging of accurate information and the verification of where these placement organizations are sending these check writing naive ones.

I have referred to some of these volunteer placement organizations "Glorified Puppy Mills for Humans." It didn't make me a lot of friends among those selling what amounted to "Moral Licenses." The NGO groups believe that the inbound volunteer was sufficiently vetted by the placement organization and the potential volunteer believes that the partner NGO was checked out before being recommended by the placement organization. Much like a puppy mill, the placement organization's concern for what happens to them next stops after the check cleared.

One such organization's CEO responded to my concern about a Dabbler that they sent me by saying "I am agnostic concerning the issues between you and your volunteer." The same person received multiple letters from another young woman and her mother about one of his partner organizations claiming that she and other women were sexually harassed, placed in living quarters that were unsafe and the fees charged were being misappropriated. The CEO of the placement organization and his staff chose to completely ignore the complaint. According to my sources, it wasn't the first complaint of its kind, or the tenth. The check cleared and they are "agnostic". as to the issues surrounding the NGO that still is in operation.

If volunteers, the Dabblers, are just trying to pad a CV or resume, and the 3rd world locale is a virtual Spring Break with an altruistic kicker, then a hasty call to a placement organization that parks them wherever a pin will fit into a map becomes a turnkey operation. The real victims are the children, or villagers that they go to camp out with for a few months. To make an analogy, we despise the Bernie Madoffs of the world for taking cold advantage of his victims but a little onus needs to be accepted by the victims that thought 47% returns were not "Too good to be true."

Eyes Wide Open. The world needs humanitarians. Volunteer placement organizations need to remember their goal is to do their part in making the world a better place, via these volunteers.

If there is a charge for their services, fine, earn it! Volunteers need to realize they do more harm than good to show up at a 3rd world location and expect their every whim and whimper supersedes the suffering around them. NGOs need to have the integrity to be that hub for the betterment of the humanity. Anything less than that gives us all a bad name. Like, Puppy Mill.

Join u s in ou r pr ogr ess an d devel opm en t to br in g sol u tion s to th ose wh o wou l dn 't h ave a ch an ce with ou t u s.

W e can al l be h er oes..

Now is your tim e.

Th is is a Social M ovem en t!

Lear n h ow at www.ch an gesfor n ewh ope.com

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Comment ar ies, Ar t icles That Will Rebuild Your Life, Phot ogr aphy Fr om Places You Need To Know About , Feel Good St or ies and Her oes I n The Field Ar ound The Wor ld That Ar e Making Your Wor ld Bet t er .

You Hol d Th e Pow er To Ch ange

You underestimate your ability to modify the person you are. While humans are spiritual and complex creatures, they are also simple machines, and everything about us can be parsed down to a one or a zero. Your being is a collection of points of data that you are free to manipulate to a large degree, and if you are dissatisfied with yourself, it?s likely that the power to change is entirely within your hands.

Anything about your person which you lack, but which is demonstrably obtainable by human beings, is obtainable to you. Confidence? You can build it.

Defy the voice that says ?I can?t?or ?I?m too inexperienced?or ?I?m useless?. This voice lies to you in an attempt to convince you that the ability to change is beyond you, when in fact, you are capable of banishing this voice entirely.

Strength? Intelligence? You can earn it. Exercise your mind or your muscles. Flex them, and they will build with use. Wisdom? You can ask for it. God loves to help us build virtue, often by giving us opportunities to develop it.

It?s difficult to stress this enough- You can be exactly the kind of person you wish to be, even if that person is a polar opposite to the person you are now. If you doubt this for reasons excepting physical limitation (you can?t decide to grow wings and fly), then it is because the voice from before has convinced you of its greatest lie: you are powerless...

By Zack Comm

Humans are insanely powerful creatures. We bear such incredible malleability, but all too often are content to allow our circumstances and our peers to mold us instead of the other way around. You have the power to get a better job. You have the power to get into the career you want. You have the power to achieve the things that you only dare to dream of, simply because the obstacles before you appear insurmountable. Most significantly, however, you have the power to change yourself.

Developing control over this power turns you into a different person by nature. You start to realize that new obstacles are just old adversity wearing a different face.

The stumbling blocks in your path cease to be forces of nature, and begin to be challenges. The signs given to you by your circumstances stop saying ?You can?t,? and start saying ?I dare you.??I dare you.?I dare you.

Dare to infuse this truth into yourself. Dare to become the person you only wish you could be. Dare to work and sweat and succeed. Dare to take the opportunity, make the speech, get the interview. Dare, and whether you immediately reach your goal or not, you have realized a fraction of your power. You have begun to understand that the data you hold can be modified, and that the idea that ?your dreams are unrealistic?is just the opposite.

Dare, and the beautiful truth will become a part of you that you can do anything.

Dare.

This article was originally published in Inspire Me Today e-magazine.

Luck is a subjective term depending on who you are. Consider the luck of the early bird... and the early worm. Make your own opportunities, luck is for the birds.

What would you do with a car with 8 cylinders that only hit on 3 cylinders?

What should you do with your life if you only live to 40% capacity?

Where you are at the moment has no bearing on where you can be a month from now. Limitlessness has nothing to do with circumstances but how far you can dream...how far you care to reach and do what needs to get done.

The silence between the notes is part of the music too. Embrace your ups and the downs equally. It is still a beautiful world and especially so with you in it!

The extraordinary becomes ordinary. There are over 2000 transatlantic flights everyday.

No one celebrates it because it is so ordinary. When Charles Lindburgh did it for the first time in 1927, it was extraordinary. Be extraordinary today so that 1000s tomorrow can follow your example and make great things ordinary.

Doing Good Feels Great

It is the holes in the wall, not the wall that is most useful being the doors and windows. It is the center of the bowl, not the outside that holds the soup. Without the dirt underneath the tree would fall over ~~ Tao, Eastern Philosophy What you may consider inconsequential becomes the greatest gift you may be able to share with someone today.

Changes for New Hope is a registered NGO, non-profit organization with the Peruvian government since 2010. Our focus is to help children living in destitution and inadequacies in the Andean region.

This magazine is expanding that focus to partner with other NGOs and their leaders around the world.

The project creator is Jim Killon, an American born humanitarian, author/writer, exhibited artist, and life enhancement speaker.

His writings, articles and publications can be seen on The Good Men Project, Living in Peru magazine, Inspire Me Today, as well as self publishing: "A Gringo in Peru-A Story of Compassion in Action," "Living Large- Living Deliberately" "The Changes That You Deserve" .

and the recently published "Silver Linings Words of encouragement, love and being limitless" Jim Killon is a 2017 recipient of The David Chow Humanitarian Award .

He is available for speaking engagements and interviews.

For more information, contact him through our email at cn h m agazin e@gm ail.com Changes for New Hope is a 100% donation supported NGO project and is not affiliated with any religious or political organization.

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved.

Photo: Cecilia Falco Hirt

The Fin al Tho ught

Never confuse a small accomplishment as being insignificant. Small wins matter. Small steps add up to miles and therefore journeys that can take you to some amazing places. Do whatever you can to make this a better world. Remember, a short walk from where you are right now is someone that can use your help.

Ch anges f or New Hope Humani tari an M agazi ne

Be sure to check out our website at w w w.ch an gesf or n ew h ope.com