tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64903162123405209092012-02-16T15:58:22.409-05:00http://www.BoxExchangeProject.orgMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.comBlogger141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-85376199665755001282010-06-14T03:49:00.003-04:002010-06-14T04:08:06.251-04:00

We had our second day of the Box Exchange today and it could not have gone better! The 40-some 4th and 6th graders were given cameras to document their school. Despite having never taken pictures before, the kids produced incredible photos! But perhaps more importantly, all of the students were glowing with happiness. They eagerly scurried around the school asking teachers and friends to pose

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-33058991324317203652010-06-12T03:11:00.004-04:002010-06-14T04:24:19.346-04:00

Since arriving in Nepal a few days ago, Jamie and I have been able spend some time getting to know the director of the Pragya English School, Mr. Patel, and his wife, Sudha. They are wonderful people, and we feel very fortunate to be working with them.Yesterday we visited the school and boarding school for about an hour for a tour and to allow Mr. Patel to intoduce us to the students. The

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-40975905341538277252010-05-26T12:58:00.003-04:002010-05-26T13:43:42.437-04:00

As I tucked the photos the 3rd graders at Clinton-Massie selected for the box into a photo album I gradually became more and more perplexed.The photo's the students had chosen for the box were not the photos I would have selected if I were in their position.The absence of several photos in particular really began to make me wonder. The photo of a boy's fort in the woods, the picture of a girl

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-30610024201360757402010-05-23T10:18:00.004-04:002010-05-23T10:29:27.135-04:00

We closed up the box at Clinton-Massie on Friday after a celebratory pizza party and a visit from Bhupa, a Nepalese international student studying at the University of Cincinnati. Our primary task for the day was sorting through the photos taken by the students to decide which ones should go in the box. Students worked in small groups interpreting their photos and writing captions, bouncing

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-77560093958204290432010-05-16T20:33:00.010-04:002010-05-16T20:47:48.353-04:00

Here are just a few of the wonderful photos taken by the students at Clinton-Massie.Photo by BrookPhoto by TylerPhoto by Josh WPhoto by AlexisPhoto by CoreyPhoto by Josh H

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-15954314383039218922010-05-16T12:21:00.003-04:002010-05-16T13:03:34.311-04:00

Spread out in front of me are the hundred or so photos taken by the 3rd graders in Mrs. Harris's class. I'm am speechless. The photos are spectacular! The intimate glimpse these photos provide into the lives of these student will mean so much to the students in Nepal. There are images of children on bikes, showing off Lego towers, hugging new kittens, rough housing with siblings, and doing

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-6517845538067456142010-05-07T07:11:00.003-04:002010-05-07T07:46:35.841-04:00

Yesterday's box exchange in Mrs. Harris' class went very well! The students have started to put things in the box and their explanations for each item were very interesting. We provided every student with a disposable camera to use between now and the next meeting. I can't wait to see what they will take pictures of!News of political unrest in Nepal threatens to impact our travels. Though

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-64189146755022872792010-05-01T15:20:00.003-04:002010-05-01T15:46:07.282-04:00

Yesterday was the first day of the Box Exchange at Clinton-Massie Elementary, and the children did wonderfully! Never under estimate the abilities of 9 year olds. They caught on to the concept immediately, generated creative ideas about what to put in the box, and had remarkably insightful things to share during our interviews. I am thrilled to be working with this group of children and am

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-48902634402845447552010-04-10T15:53:00.002-04:002010-04-10T16:01:02.554-04:00

Rough Guides, the world travel guide publisher, has been generous enough to donate several beautiful coffee table books and Nepal travel guides to the project. This modest expression of good will is greatly appreciated! They are the first of the dozens of organizations I've been in touch with to actually give to the project, rather than simply say, "What a great idea, good luck finding help

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-84945955908992757942010-04-03T09:02:00.003-04:002010-04-03T09:52:12.974-04:00

The Box Exchange was rejected from the Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant competition on the grounds that it would "benefit people outside the US." I have to bite my tongue here and resist the urge to delve into my profound disappointment with a multi-national corporation that rejects a project because it will benefit low-income children in the developing world. I'm sure there is some legal

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-36477483484814630542010-03-22T18:03:00.002-04:002010-03-22T18:06:47.507-04:00

Projects much like The Box Exchange are steadily gaining the attention they deserve. Below is a video on the benefits of project learning produced by Edutopia.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-22379005864420585592010-03-17T20:04:00.005-04:002010-03-17T20:37:16.173-04:00

Alas! Yet another rejection letter from a foundation to which I've sent a letter of inquiry in the hopes of applying for a grant. I've sent dozens of letter so far, and none have produced results. My initial reaction upon receiving a letter is to make my letter of inquiry better, make my argument for the project more succinct and persuasive.However, I'm finding that the reasons these

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-63971006546506584172010-03-15T22:33:00.004-04:002010-03-15T22:38:38.394-04:00

Great news!Thanks to an individual who tracked me down through couchsurfing.org, we might be able to bring with us to Nepal free adjustable glasses!We're are in the process of reaching out to the organization that produces the glasses seen here, as well as similar organizations. Keep your fingers crossed!

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490316212340520909.post-23258280055213460312010-03-04T11:33:00.002-05:002010-03-04T11:38:56.525-05:00

Things are coming together beautifully! I recently met with Melinda Harris, the 3rd grade teacher we will be working with here in Ohio, and continue to be impressed by her enthusiasm. In the next few days I will be touching base with R.B. Patel, the director of the Pragya English School in Nepal.My primary focus right now is fundraising, and what a challenge it is! I've set up an account with

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17324755079174338424noreply@blogger.com0