Now that the global outbreak of COVID-19 has been realized, we find ourselves traveling unfamiliar territory and experiencing the many ways in which our lives and sense of being in the world have been forever altered. As a result, we are tasked with creating and shaping our “new normal.”
The immediate response around the world has been to “shelter in place.” Millions of people are staying home while schools and businesses are closed and public gatherings have ceased. What does shelter in place look like and how does isolation affect individuals, families, local communities, and global connections?
At Yours Humanly, we continue to focus on educational access, but now with an urgent focus on what access means in the time of COVID-19.
What we know:
- Schools represent far more than a place for learning: They are primary places for childcare, nourishment, and community. With most schools closed, many children have lost their source of daytime meals and safe shelter, and resources for social and emotional health.
- Despite the world’s vast technological advances of the last 50 years, childhood education is primarily conducted in person, face to face with teachers and students in groups, completely reliant on social contact, interaction, and interface.
- While inroads have been made to expand and enhance the educational experience, the existing infrastructure for distance learning is small, and in many cases non-existent. Significant resources will be required to adequately move current education standards and protocols online.
- Distance learning requires digital connectivity, yet millions upon millions of children and families have no access to internet or digital devices.
What We Do:
Yours Humanly works to serve immediate needs, especially during disasters. Due to this crisis, we are implementing a
COVID-19 Aid Initiative
and urgently raising funds to support local and global efforts to provide:
- morning and midday meals for children who need food.
- distance learning tools for teachers and children, such as laptops and Chromebooks to use at home, and internet hotspots for families without internet.
During the coming weeks and months, we will be working with existing and new partners to champion these efforts, shed light on emerging critical issues, and provide solutions where we can. But we cannot do it alone.
What You Can Do:
- Participate as a Global Citizen. Follow disease prevention guidelines from your local health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Embrace social distancing and self-quarantine when necessary.
- Support Yours Humanly’s COVID-19 Aid Initiative. Give today. We need your help to continue to bring food and essential distance learning educational resources to children in need during this time of crisis.
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IMPACT: Computer Education for Children in Cambodia
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Despite the current worldwide focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, Yours Humanly was able to complete a much-needed project in early 2020 in Kampot, Cambodia. Kampot is a province in Southern Cambodia, best known for its pepper and durian fruit agriculture. The populace is largely comprised of farm workers and lower income families who live in impoverished neighborhoods with little access to a proper 21st century education, much less computers or internet resources.
Thanks to your support, Yours Humanly was able to fund the purchase and placement of computers at a local community center in Kampot, providing hundreds of children free computer and internet access, as well as enhanced educational resources. We are honored to be a part of this effort and hope to continue to positively affect the lives and futures of children in the Kampot region.
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Thank You for Making Our Annual Gala a Success
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Thank you for joining us at the 2020
Gift of Schooling Gala
®
! Your attendance and participation in the evening’s activities helped make our annual gala a huge success. While some registrants were unable to actually participate in the event, we sincerely acknowledge everyone’s support, donations, and pledges.
With your generous support, we raised more than $120,000 for our local and global programs that provide underprivileged children in underserved communities access to educational programs and resources.
Thank you to our 2020 Yours Humanly Honoree, Kristi Yamaguchi. We were pleased to recognize her with our
Leading with the Heart
Award for her vision and leadership on behalf of children. Thank you to guest speakers Dr. Robert Martinez, Miss California Eileen Kim, Celeste Graybill, and emcee Betty Yu, who lent their passionate voices to the Yours Humanly story. Special thanks to all our generous sponsors for supporting our mission and helping to make our fundraising event possible.
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Congratulations to
Children Have the Power to Empower
®
Award Recipients
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We are pleased to announce that Owen Jassak (Sauquoit, NY), Devin Moore (Bay Shore, NY), and David Lauritzen (Katy, TX) are recipients of a 2020 Yours Humanly
Children Have the Power to Empower®
Award.
Congratulations to Owen, Devin, and David!
Learn more
about the Yours Humanly
Children Have the Power to Empower®
Award recipients and their work.
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Educational Tools & Resources
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At Yours Humanly, we have already begun to see the damaging effects of school closures as a result of COVID-19. As we navigate these difficult times, our goal is to help in any way we can.
We are honored to be connected with creative, innovative, and like-minded partners. Our relationships with aid organizations, government agencies, school districts, teacher associations, and parent clubs have allowed us to compile a far reaching list of tools and resources that will help our communities cope with the unprecedented challenges and overcome the major obstacles we are facing.
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Michael Kovalich
Redwood City, California
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"Our children make up 20 to 25 percent of our population but they are 100 percent of our future. Under Sunny Singh’s leadership, Yours Humanly, continues to invest in the future by providing children in need with the necessary tools to enhance the learning experience whether across the globe, the nation, or in our own local communities. Yours Humanly gives us a vehicle to participate in building the foundation of future societies. We all hold a responsibility for our communities yet to come and Yours Humanly’s vision is an important vehicle to realize that purpose to participate in building the foundation for future societies, made up of well informed and educated citizens, no matter from what background. Only then can all our children meet the challenges they will face as adults and as leaders. By supporting Yours Humanly you can be gratified in knowing you are a participant in building societies yet to come. Hopefully, you will gain a sense of fulfillment in knowing you are part of the success of many in being productive, with strong families, and achieving a level of happiness that would not exist had you not been involved."
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Shannon Watson
Ocoee, Florida
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"When it comes to doing good in the world, sending off a check to a large non-profit organization feels...impersonal. As a donor, you might even wonder sometimes if your contribution is actually accomplishing anything. Yours Humanly stands out as a grassroots organization where donor and volunteer support is recognized, appreciated, and greatly needed - and the impact is visible and immeasurable. Yours Humanly is effectively reaching underserved communities throughout the world and changing lives one at a time, often in ways that larger organizations can't accomplish. Every night when I go to bed, I ask myself, "Have I done any good in the world today?" Supporting the work of Yours Humanly is an easy way to fall asleep with a solid "Yes!" to that question and a smile on my face."
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Are you passionate about helping underprivileged children around the world gain access to quality education? Our volunteers drive the change that is at the core of our mission. If you are interested in becoming a committed volunteer and making a difference in the lives of children, please contact:
volunteer@yourshumanly.org
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Please support our
COVID-19 Aid Initiative
. Give today. We need your help to continue to bring food and essential distance learning educational resources to children in need during this time of crisis.
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