A Google Alert (to keep current on research for a book I’m writing) let to your blogging entry

I’m a retired middle school teacher and before No Child Left Behind, we had time to engage in community-based service activities, which led me to discover a plethora of books about service learning, directories of NGOs, and the push to require H.S. students do some community service as a graduation requirement. Great idea, but once again, far too much for most teachers to squeeze into what was already a 60-hour week, especially for those who had second jobs. (One criticism of the proposal was that non-profits might pocket the extra funds made available.)

With your great talent (I’m also an artist, so recognize your skill (composition, color, engaging photos), a visual, visceral graphic (book or documentary) of world issues and those engaged in finding solutions could serve as a teaching text for students and businesses or a fundraiser. I cannot imagine NGOs passing up an opportunity to share photos of their volunteers’ work, especially if rewarded with a portion of the profits. Promotional pamphlets also provide insight into current needs and future goals. Add your eye for storytelling and travel experience and you’ve got a task that is timely, relevant, rewarding, and right up your alley. Invite you photographer colleagues, interns, communication companies like those you suggested (Kodak, Fuji, Canon, T.V. news organizations, etc.), and you could end up with books, documentaries, and lead the way to global cooperation.

If you think it can’t be done, give me a call. I taught my students about Canada by getting nearly two thousand Canadians to write to my class about their community; a four-year project designed to teach 9-year olds about state government led to the legislation of the Colorado State Insect (okay, a bit silly by adult standards, but not to the kids because they learned people CAN make a difference).

Here is fodder to fuel your wonderful idea:

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1240076643/ref=sr_st?keywords=%22service+learning%22+&rs=&page=1&rh=n%3A%211000%2Ci%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3A%22service+learning%22+&sort=relevancerank

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%22service+learning%22+In+action

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?search-alias=stripbooks&unfiltered=1&field-keywords=&field-author=&field-title=poverty+issues+world&field-isbn=&field-publisher=&node=&url=&field-feature_browse-bin=&field-binding_browse-bin=&field-subject=&field-language=&field-dateop=&field-datemod=&field-dateyear=&sort=relevancerank&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=0

Good luck in whatever you choose to do with your life!