Monday, May 2, 2011

Summary :)

Summary



The Capstone Project “Hope for Children” was a marvelous project, not only did it teach us various lessons of life; it helped us connect to a global issue of child abandonment. When we first choose this project Fatima and I started with a vision of creating long lasting friendships with abandoned children.

Many people think that once a child is given a home, or a shelter such as an orphanage or a foster home, the child will feel safe and forget its hurtful past. In reality, many of these children are self insecure, fearful and emotionally hurt. We sought to be able to volunteer in at least two orphanages and become friends with the children in order to help them regain their social life and self esteem.

Sadly things didn’t go as we had hoped so; many orphanages denied us for volunteering because of our age. We continued trying for several months, sending emails as well as volunteering applications to local foster homes in the Houston area. We contacted several foster homes such as; The House of Hope (Casa de Esperanza), Byrd’s Foster Home, DePechin Children’s Center, Boys and Girls Harbor, and Presbyterian Children’s Home. We continued calling multiple times, and although we were quite insistent many foster homes did not let us volunteer.

In March 2011 Gracewood showed a positive feedback, seeing our great enthusiasm in their project, they set up a volunteering opportunity for us. Our first visit to Gracewood was on March 8, 2011; we were greeted very nicely and introduced to everybody. However, we found out that Gracewood was not a foster home of CPS (Child Protective Services); it was a residential home for single mothers. We were very surprised and wondered how it was confused with an orphanage, in the internet’s search engine it was listed under foster homes. We were told these single mothers were at risk of becoming homeless, and giving their children for adoption. These children were not abandoned, but their mothers needed help taking care of the kids as well as giving them some extra love and attention. The mothers were exhausted after a long day of work, and had group meetings on Tuesdays, this is where we came in and helped take care of the children. The home we were assigned to resided three boys; two 3 year olds and a 2 year old.

We had a great experience at Gracewood although it might not have been what we had expected, the children were very nice and heart taking. We were not able to take pictures of our first visit, since we thought it would be very disrespectful to start taking pictures. On our second visit April 21, 2011 we were able to capture some pictures of the kids watching a movie and dancing. On this visit we also decided part, or perhaps half of the money we fundraised would be donated towards anything Gracewood might need.

This gave our project a whole turn around, since we wanted to donate the money towards an orphanage, but the people at Gracewood were very kind to us and we fell in love with the kids. We wanted to help the children and the mothers there who are going through a lot of struggles on a daily basis. We were very proud of these mothers, since they continue to work every day to provide for their children. They are women who struggle and fight for their children. There are many mothers who do not have the same opportunities these women have such as having a shelter like Gracewood, and are forced to live in the streets with their children and might not be able to sleep or eat for days. This is an issue which also leads to child abandonment since mothers are not able to feed their children, and forced to abandon them. Many people are unaware of this, but it’s a sad reality. We were glad that we could help Gracewood, and we will continue to visit them as often as we can, or as they require our help.

In April 2011 we received a call from the foster home Boys and Girls Harbor; we finally had a foster home in which we could volunteer. After a background check and various phone calls to verify our information and recent addresses we set up a volunteering date for April 28,2011. The volunteer coordinator Jonathan told us our age was not a problem and we could bring along other people as long as they submitted their information for a background check. A background check was required to volunteer, to be able to keep the children safe with people who were reliable and had no criminal record.

On our first day volunteering we were given a tour of the foster home. The living conditions were very decent, and the environment was very peaceful. It was a wonderful yet nervous experience. Our projects main purpose was achieved we were finally at an orphanage; our Projects main purpose was achieved. We were shocked on the diversity of children in this orphanage. Some of the children were very quiet and isolated, in the other hand most of the children were playful and got along well with the rest of the children.

Seeing many children who are less fortunate, made us realize the severity of this issue. There are so many things materialism objects this children lack such as; clothes, toys, shoes. Many of things cannot be provided to the children, because there is insufficient money to provide for all of them. We will donate the rest of the money we fundraised towards this foster home, it will not be a big amount of money but we are sure it will be help.

A stop must be put to child abandonment, and raising awareness in the community might help the numbers of children abandoned decrease, as well as give knowledge to people who are unaware of this issue. We learned so much from these few visits to Gracewood and Boys and Girls Harbor, and applied it to the knowledge we gained from studying this subject.

We as well became more open to children needs and learned to communicate with them, while taking care of them and making sure they felt comfortable being with us. Our main priority was to make the children feel safe and protected with us, although we were complete strangers to them. We observed many of them children and they were in need for attention. Many of the children were fighting to grab our attention; we were shocked at this because we having younger siblings had never seen such scarcity of children needed for love. We tried connecting to most of them by providing attention to all the children; they were wonderful children who were able to capture our hearts.

We will also be returning to Boys and Girls Harbor on May 4, 2010 and will take pictures as well as record a video that we can show our teachers, classmates and to the community. We hope this video and pictures will show people a better view of child abandonment, and raise knowledge so people are more aware of this subject. These visits were a great experience, and we are looking towards all our next volunteering visits in the future.

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Weekly Reflection on Capstone Project :)

Capstone
GPS Leadership Outcomes
Reflection
Name: Maria Ramirez and Fatima Ramirez
Date: April 18, 2011
Project: Hope for Children
What is the goal of the project? How has it changed over the course of Capstone?
The Goal of our project was to volunteer at a local foster home in Houston, Texas and raise a minimum $400 to donate to at least 2 orphanages/foster homes. Our goal was to spend time with abandoned children that need affection and support, becoming a friend to them and helping them by giving them Hope in life. Our Goal has now changed since, we Unfortunately have not been able to volunteer at two orphanages, the money fundraised might no longer be donated towards two foster homes. Although this is still in question, we will continue to contact foster homes seeking both volunteer and donation opportunities.
This past week we recieved a call from Jonathan volunteer cordinator at tThe Boys and Girls Harbor foster home in La Porte,Tx , he scheduled a volunteer visit for Fatima and I on thursday April 14,2011 .

As i had said we were scheduled to volunteer at an orphanage, but we had some changes and will be volunteering some day this upcoming week April 18,2011-April 30,2011.


Your Capstone Project is a tool for you to demonstrate your college readiness and global competency. Use the GPS Global Leadership Performance Outcomes to evaluate your college readiness and global competency. Developing
Investigate the World: Produce New Global Knowledge. Students investigate the world, including their immediate environment.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
Child abandonment is a global issue, happening in several diverse countries. As we research this topic, we are gaining knowledge about this global impact. We have read several articles of this subject affecting both developing and undeveloped countries. We are also promoting awareness of this subject in the International School, as we introduce our project to our peers. This is a social issue that should be known, in order to decrease the amounts of children being abandoned in the world.
We are currently researching more about abandoned children effects, and statistics in order to make an informational booth.

Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
The strengths in this area we have achieved, is Producing New Global Knowledge. We consider this strength because we are raising awareness in our school, and in our community. We have displayed our Project in social networks such as Facebook and, MySpace. Many lower classmen consistently ask us about our projects success, they also help us we buy purchasing the food items we sale throughout the school day. We also plan to have an informational Booth in School, as well as a guest speaker. We would really love all our school, to learn about this issue. Many people are unaware of this because only media sources such as television tend to remind us about this issue.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weaknesses is developing a well designed argument about this issue, we have not been in this position to understand this issue as well as we hope we did. We try to understand, but we still do not have enough information that can establish a well argument.
Recognize and Weigh Perspectives: Apply Cross-Cultural Understanding. Students recognize their own and others’ perspectives.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project? I have seeked understanding about this global issue, and have tried understanding this phenomena occurring globally.
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone? My strength
Our strengths in this area is understanding the magnitude, and the issue being a global issue affecting people all over the world. This is strength, because we are connecting out project globally, not only regionally.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weakness in this area is not being able to understand the reason of child abandonment; although it is a global issue we cannot fully understand the reasons for parent's decisions on abandoning their children. Some reasons are teen pregnancy, poverty, and immature fatherhood/, motherhood, but they appear to be factors that can be worked with and be able to take care of their children. We would like to understand why this factors and values that cause parents to choose to abandon children. We plan on correcting this weakness by doing more research and observing different people’s values about this issue.


Communicate Ideas: Connect & Collaborate Across Boundaries. Students communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse audiences.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
We have selected appropriate media and technology, to communicate with diverse audiences.

Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
Our strengths in this area, is being able to communicate this subject. We are able to speak about our topic, to a diverse audience. This is demonstrated in our capstone, by peers making questions about our project.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses? Our weakness is perhaps not being able to participate with other individuals from around the world, whom goals are similar to ours.
Take Action: Enact Global Solutions. Students translate their ideas and findings into appropriate actions to improve conditions.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
Improving conditions on this particular subject.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weakness in this area is not being able to volunteer at the orphanages.

Rating for this week: Our rate for this week is an 8 1/2 because we have been trying to volunteer, and were not going to give up. We have also been fundraising and will host some major funraisers in order to collect the rest of the money we need.

Most Updated Methodology

Methodology

There were several steps in our projects development; and many obstacles were encountered. Our project’s goal was to be able to reach abandoned and neglected children through volunteering and donating money at a local foster home.
The first step we took, was contacting many organizations seeking volunteer opportunities. As the weeks passed, we continued to both email and call several foster homes; unfortunately we did not receive such positive results as we had hoped so. Many organizations required the volunteers to be at least 18 years of age and have CPR training. Another reason for our impediment in volunteering was that the CPS (Child Protective Services) has control over most of the foster homes, and therefore was very strict about volunteering. We did not meet the requirements for volunteering, however we kept trying and continued calling and emailing foster homes. We contacted most of the local foster homes in the Houston area.
Our second step was to collect a minimum of $400, and donate the money towards two foster homes. Although this is not much money it could be really useful for any minor necessities the children might need. We decided to sell small food items throughout the school day, in between classes, and during lunch to fundraise the money. Some items we sold were: muffins, Gatorades, candy and McDonalds. Surprisingly, many students seemed to buy muffins; the Gatorades took more time to sell and were not sold as much. We also sold candy such as; Mexican candy, airheads, and sour extremes. The candy sale went very well, many students from all grades in our school 9-12th bought candy from us. This was a big joy for us because we were able to collect more money by selling candy.
We then decided to sell McDonalds burgers hot and spicy's and cheeseburgers during lunch. We were sure this would help us raise the money we needed faster, since many students do not enjoy the cafeteria food and were likely to purchase the burgers. We encountered a major problem since we only sold one day and the next day were informed we could no longer sell during lunch. HISD no longer allowed food selling during lunch, only food given by the district was allowed to be given to the students. This sadly delayed our project fundraiser back; since it was our only hope to raise the money faster, the small food items made a good amount of profit but took more time to sell.
However this did not stop us from selling McDonalds, we decided to sell breakfast burgers before school. Many students in the International school, do not eat breakfast because of the food that is served in the cafeteria, or because they arrive at a time that wont allow them to get breakfast. We thought that selling breakfast at an affordable price would be a great idea. This also had a positive result; we sold 25 burgers in 10 minutes. Although this was a success, we were not able to sell again because it took too long to order the breakfast and get to school by 7:20 the time students start arriving.
After trying to sell McDonald’s, we decided it was not the best choice and went back to selling the small food items we had sold at first. Our fundraiser took place from Week 2 throughout Week 16. Throughout the whole semester, we never stopped trying to reach foster homes. We continue calling and recorded all the calls made, as well as the status of the calls in a call log.

This is just an idea of what type of multimedia i will be creating.I will combine music with pictures from the orphanage along with data and statistics.

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Weekly Reflection on Capstone Project

Capstone
GPS Leadership Outcomes
Reflection
Name: Maria Ramirez and Fatima Ramirez
Date: April 9, 2011
Project: Hope for Children
What is the goal of the project? How has it changed over the course of Capstone?
The Goal of our project was to volunteer at a local foster home in Houston, Texas and raise a minimum $400 to donate to at least 2 orphanages/foster homes. Our goal was to spend time with abandoned children that need affection and support, becoming a friend to them and helping them by giving them Hope in life. Our Goal has now changed since, we Unfortunately have not been able to volunteer at two orphanages, the money fundraised might no longer be donated towards two foster homes. Although this is still in question, we will continue to contact foster homes seeking both volunteer and donation opportunities.
This past week we recieved a call from Jonathan volunteer cordinator at tThe Boys and Girls Harbor foster home in La Porte,Tx , he scheduled a volunteer visit for Fatima and I on thursday April 14,2011 .

Your Capstone Project is a tool for you to demonstrate your college readiness and global competency. Use the GPS Global Leadership Performance Outcomes to evaluate your college readiness and global competency. Developing
Investigate the World: Produce New Global Knowledge. Students investigate the world, including their immediate environment.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
Child abandonment is a global issue, happening in several diverse countries. As we research this topic, we are gaining knowledge about this global impact. We have read several articles of this subject affecting both developing and undeveloped countries. We are also promoting awareness of this subject in the International School, as we introduce our project to our peers. This is a social issue that should be known, in order to decrease the amounts of children being abandoned in the world.
We are currently researching more about abandoned children effects, and statistics in order to make an informational booth.

I am wraping up my display board :) I have done researching this week & have learned so much that i did not know about abandoned children .
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
The strengths in this area we have achieved, is Producing New Global Knowledge. We consider this strength because we are raising awareness in our school, and in our community. We have displayed our Project in social networks such as Facebook and, MySpace. Many lower classmen consistently ask us about our projects success, they also help us we buy purchasing the food items we sale throughout the school day. We also plan to have an informational Booth in School, as well as a guest speaker. We would really love all our school, to learn about this issue. Many people are unaware of this because only media sources such as television tend to remind us about this issue.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weaknesses is developing a well designed argument about this issue, we have not been in this position to understand this issue as well as we hope we did. We try to understand, but we still do not have enough information that can establish a well argument.
Recognize and Weigh Perspectives: Apply Cross-Cultural Understanding. Students recognize their own and others’ perspectives.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project? I have seeked understanding about this global issue, and have tried understanding this phenomena occurring globally.
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone? My strength
Our strengths in this area is understanding the magnitude, and the issue being a global issue affecting people all over the world. This is strength, because we are connecting out project globally, not only regionally.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weakness in this area is not being able to understand the reason of child abandonment; although it is a global issue we cannot fully understand the reasons for parent's decisions on abandoning their children. Some reasons are teen pregnancy, poverty, and immature fatherhood/, motherhood, but they appear to be factors that can be worked with and be able to take care of their children. We would like to understand why this factors and values that cause parents to choose to abandon children. We plan on correcting this weakness by doing more research and observing different people’s values about this issue.


Communicate Ideas: Connect & Collaborate Across Boundaries. Students communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse audiences.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
We have selected appropriate media and technology, to communicate with diverse audiences.

Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
Our strengths in this area, is being able to communicate this subject. We are able to speak about our topic, to a diverse audience. This is demonstrated in our capstone, by peers making questions about our project.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses? Our weakness is perhaps not being able to participate with other individuals from around the world, whom goals are similar to ours.
Take Action: Enact Global Solutions. Students translate their ideas and findings into appropriate actions to improve conditions.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
Improving conditions on this particular subject.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weakness in this area is not being able to volunteer at the orphanages.

Rating for this week: Our rate for this week is an 9, we Will volunteer next week and our fundraiser went well this week we sold food items on tuesday & wednesday.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Capstone Reflection # 3 04/01/11

Capstone
GPS Leadership Outcomes
Reflection
Name: Maria Ramirez and Fatima Ramirez
Date: April 1, 2011
Project: Hope for Children
What is the goal of the project? How has it changed over the course of Capstone?
The Goal of our project was to volunteer at a local foster home in Houston, Texas and raise a minimum $400 to donate to at least 2 orphanages/foster homes. Our goal was to spend time with abandoned children that need affection and support, becoming a friend to them and helping them by giving them Hope in life. Our Goal has now changed since, we Unfortunately have not been able to volunteer at two orphanages, the money fundraised might no longer be donated towards two foster homes. Although this is still in question, we will continue to contact foster homes seeking both volunteer and donation opportunities.
We are organizing a volunteering team to volunteer at Boys and Girls Harbor on week 10-11. We have also started on our display board that will be displayed to raise awareness around International High School.

This week we contacted two new foster homes, but we have not yet heard from Boys and Girls Harbor on the day we can volunteer.
Your Capstone Project is a tool for you to demonstrate your college readiness and global competency. Use the GPS Global Leadership Performance Outcomes to evaluate your college readiness and global competency. Developing
Investigate the World: Produce New Global Knowledge. Students investigate the world, including their immediate environment.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
Child abandonment is a global issue, happening in several diverse countries. As we research this topic, we are gaining knowledge about this global impact. We have read several articles of this subject affecting both developing and undeveloped countries. We are also promoting awareness of this subject in the International School, as we introduce our project to our peers. This is a social issue that should be known, in order to decrease the amounts of children being abandoned in the world.
We are currently researching more about abandoned children effects, and statistics in order to make an informational booth.

I am wraping up my display board :) I have done researching this week & have learned so much that i did not know about abandoned children .
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
The strengths in this area we have achieved, is Producing New Global Knowledge. We consider this strength because we are raising awareness in our school, and in our community. We have displayed our Project in social networks such as Facebook and, MySpace. Many lower classmen consistently ask us about our projects success, they also help us we buy purchasing the food items we sale throughout the school day. We also plan to have an informational Booth in School, as well as a guest speaker. We would really love all our school, to learn about this issue. Many people are unaware of this because only media sources such as television tend to remind us about this issue.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weaknesses is developing a well designed argument about this issue, we have not been in this position to understand this issue as well as we hope we did. We try to understand, but we still do not have enough information that can establish a well argument.
Recognize and Weigh Perspectives: Apply Cross-Cultural Understanding. Students recognize their own and others’ perspectives.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project? I have seeked understanding about this global issue, and have tried understanding this phenomena occurring globally.
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone? My strength
Our strengths in this area is understanding the magnitude, and the issue being a global issue affecting people all over the world. This is strength, because we are connecting out project globally, not only regionally.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weakness in this area is not being able to understand the reason of child abandonment; although it is a global issue we cannot fully understand the reasons for parent's decisions on abandoning their children. Some reasons are teen pregnancy, poverty, and immature fatherhood/, motherhood, but they appear to be factors that can be worked with and be able to take care of their children. We would like to understand why this factors and values that cause parents to choose to abandon children. We plan on correcting this weakness by doing more research and observing different people’s values about this issue.


Communicate Ideas: Connect & Collaborate Across Boundaries. Students communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse audiences.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
We have selected appropriate media and technology, to communicate with diverse audiences.

Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
Our strengths in this area, is being able to communicate this subject. We are able to speak about our topic, to a diverse audience. This is demonstrated in our capstone, by peers making questions about our project.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses? Our weakness is perhaps not being able to participate with other individuals from around the world, whom goals are similar to ours.
Take Action: Enact Global Solutions. Students translate their ideas and findings into appropriate actions to improve conditions.
How have you incorporated this element of the GPS into your Capstone project?
Where are your strengths in this area? Why are they strengths? Where is this demonstrated in your Capstone?
Improving conditions on this particular subject.
Where are your weaknesses in this area? Why do you consider these to be weaknesses? How do you plan on correcting these weaknesses?
Our weakness in this area is not being able to volunteer at the orphanages.
Week 10- We have finally gotten another foster home to volunteer at, The Boys and Girls Harbor, this foster home will let us volunteer even though we are underage, and will allow us to bring along more volunteers.

Week 11- Still hear no response on Boys and Girls Harbor on the day we can volunteer, the volunteer coordinator told us they were back on the background check they were doing on us. Another week has passed now and still no foster home to volunteer at.

Rating for this week: Our rate for this week is an 8, weve contacted & emailed many foster homes this week , and hear no response. This is very frustrating , and sad because our goal was to volunteer at foster homes throughout the whole semester. It is now April, and yet have not progressed on being able to volunteer. We will not give up now though, we will continue trying .