Projects

The Pangaea Project

Our mission is to provide youth from low-income families the opportunity to experience personal growth, to build a global perspective, and to become leaders in their own communities by participating in local and international service learning projects that share a common theme.

Our Philosophy
The founders of The Pangaea Project chose the name Pangaea to inspire an image of a reunited world. We believe in the innate capacity of all youth, regardless of socio-economic status, to be contributing members of both their own communities and the broader world. By inspiring low-income teenagers to become engaged in activities that will positively impact the world, they will feel awakened, valued and hopeful, which we believe will result in compassionate, empowered, and globally competent citizens.

Our Program --The Pangaea Project is a yearlong, theme-based program for low-income teenagers that combines international service work with localized volunteer projects. Each Project is based on a specific social or environmental theme that will provide the framework for the year such as water pollution, homelessness, or animal rights. Groups of 12 participants will study how the issue affects both their own community and the one that they will be visiting overseas through participation in service-projects that address the topic.   Each yearlong Project has three components, including:

Phase 1: A five-month local training period from January-June:

•  an in-depth, cross-cultural study of the theme

•  cultural practices, political and historical background, gender roles, and religious beliefs of the host country

•  mediation and diversity trainings

•  relevant field trips

•  guest speakers

•  team building exercises

•  basic language training

Phase 2 : A six-week overseas Volunteer Project:

•  Participants will spend six weeks together in a non-Western country living with host families and working alongside community members on a service project that addresses the theme.

•  A week-long trip will take place after completion of the Volunteer project

•  Cultural immersion will include-ongoing language training, attending religious, music, and arts festivals, educational presentations from community members, and group processing activities

Phase 3 : Return to Home Community  

•  Students will volunteer on a local service project tied to the Projects' theme

•  Educate the community through presentations in schools, congregations, and relevant organizations

•  Collaboration on a creative, final multi-media fundraiser/celebration

Our International Projects:

**Summer 2006** -Mali, West Africa with a focus on Deforestation

Future programs might include :

•  Nepal-Pollution

•  Brazil-Homelessness

•  Tanzania-Animal Rights

•  Laos-Health

For more info on future events and projects please drop an email in Kai’s mailbox.