It's Blog Action Day, TODAY: 15 October

Blog Action Day is Today: 15th of October and they asking everyone with a blog to discuss poverty. Their hope is to raise awareness through conversation on the topic. Perhaps talking can lead to ideas and perhaps some ideas will lead to action and that action is what we need.

I can't really say much about poverty without sounding facetious as I have never experienced it, first hand. I am one of the fortunate ones who were not born into it. I know that most of my country faces the pains of poverty daily and while I can't do a lot, I am obligated to do something.

Talking about it is easy. Asking people to contribute to the conversation is another thing. It seems to illicit some strange uneasiness. They seem to shy away from the physical action of THINKING about OTHERS. Now try getting them to DO something!

Whether you're too shy or just haven't given it another thought, here are some easy (you don't have to get off your arse) way's of contributing. I have already blogged about Google's Project 10 to the 100th If you have an idea (any idea) to help dispel poverty, then please submit it before the 20th of October!

I have found another online project, this time by Trip Advisor. 

On the 12th of November they will be donating $1-million to 5 chosen causes. The money will be divided up amongst the causes according to how many votes they receive. 

All of them very worthy causes and all you need to do to vote is click a button! 

On today's topic of poverty, there is more than 1 cause you could click for. Vote Here 

As if you need a little incentive; your vote also gets you a free Green Travel Guide - Vote to find out more! (Image borrowed from Trip Advisor)

If you are one of the more motivated people in our population and you feel that you have skills, but don't know how you could possibly apply them assist your poverty stricken, fellow South Africans why not have a look at the Greater Good SA website for lots of ideas and notices of what you can do or give (or both!). 

Greater Good SA organised 'Do it Day' in September, which was a stunning success! See my posts in September for more info on what we got up to.

Project 10 to the 100th

As part of their 10 year anniversary, Google is committing 

$10 million towards: Project 10 ¹⁰⁰

If you have an idea that can change the world, save an environment or simply make a person's life a little easier or a lot better then you should submit it at "Project 10 to the 100th". 

Google is asking anyone and everyone who has ideas to submit them by 20 October 2008 at: 

http://www.project10tothe100.com/submit_your_idea.html

Categories for your ideas should fall into any one (or more) of the following:

• Community: How can they help connect people, build communities and protect unique cultures?
• Opportunity: How can they help people better provide for themselves and their families?
• Energy: How can they help move the world toward safe, clean, inexpensive energy?
• Environment: How can they help promote a cleaner and more sustainable global ecosystem?
• Health: How can they help individuals lead longer, healthier lives?
• Education: How can they help more people get more access to better education?
• Shelter: How can they help ensure that everyone has a safe place to live?
• Everything else: Sometimes the best ideas don't fit into any category at all.

They have set out a few guidelines to consider:

• Reach: How many people would this idea affect?
• Depth: How deeply are people impacted? How urgent is the need?
• Attainability: Can this idea be implemented within a year or two?
• Efficiency: How simple and cost-effective is your idea?
• Longevity: How long will the idea's impact last?

We send our submission and we vote for our favourite ideas. From the top 20 ideas voted by us, an advisory board will select up to 5 final ideas.

Voting for the best idea begins on 27 January 2009. You can set a reminder to vote by following this link.

This is another great opportunity for people and companies alike to make a difference. In South Africa there are so many ideas we could come up with to help our people. Let's get our thinking caps on and get submitting! Google's slogan for this project is:

May Those Who Help The Most Win

You can check out their details at: www.project10tothe100.com