Welcome to the Giraffe Heroes Project
A new era has begun...
When the new US President spoke to the world for the first time, he honored
"the risk-takers, the doers... men and women obscure in their labor" who have built this country.
He called for courage, for putting ideals to work as America now rebuilds itself.
Here at the Giraffe Heroes Project, we have long honored the risk-takers, people who are largely unknown,
people who have the courage to stick their necks out for the common good, in the US and around the world.
Here's to the broad and deep success of this new clarion call to the active citizenship we have so long fostered.
We're here to help you answer that call. Look us over. Sign up for our e-messages. Use our tested tools for action.
Get involved.
"the risk-takers, the doers... men and women obscure in their labor" who have built this country.
He called for courage, for putting ideals to work as America now rebuilds itself.
Here at the Giraffe Heroes Project, we have long honored the risk-takers, people who are largely unknown,
people who have the courage to stick their necks out for the common good, in the US and around the world.
Here's to the broad and deep success of this new clarion call to the active citizenship we have so long fostered.
We're here to help you answer that call. Look us over. Sign up for our e-messages. Use our tested tools for action.
Get involved.
In the Niger Delta
Inspired by the stories in Voices of Hope, the Giraffe Heroes Project's anthology of heroes around the world, fourteen students in Oporoza, Nigeria have formed the “Giraffe Service Club International." Their purpose is to "serve humanity." That's their teacher, Job Bebenimibo, at front row left.
Featured Giraffe
Aitan Grossman just received his Giraffe Commendation—at his Bar Mitzvah. Which means Aitan is 13 years old, not the youngest Giraffe ever, but close. To know more about what this young man is doing, check out his website.
Action Alert
On May 15 the village of Oporoza was razed by the Nigerian military. The surviving villagers fled into the bush, where there is no medical aid and no food. Days later, Mr. Bebenimibo managed to get an impassioned report of the attacks out via satellite so we know he is alive, but he is not sure how many of his students have survived.
A report we did on the attacks got the attention of Senator Kerry, in his role as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—he promised to look into the matter and has met with Giraffe Joel Bisina. For the latest updates please check in here where you can also join the call for a halt to the violence and immediate aid to the survivors.
Update: We've since gotten word that Mr. Bebenimibo and most of his students survived their time in hiding and have returned to what is left of Oporoza. They've asked for and received new materials from us so they can resume their Giraffe service in their now devastated community. For updates on Sweet Crude, a documentary filmed in the Oporoza area, check here. http://www.sweetcrudemovie.com.
Previously Featured
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Sarah Herr is a high school cheerleader in Bettendorf, Iowa. That’s a good as it gets in teen society, right? The prettiest, the most popular girls in school are the ones out in front of the stands, leading all the cheers. But Sarah went beyond that teen highpoint—she stuck her neck out to create and train a whole new squad of cheerleaders, girls who are usually sidelined from teen activities. Have a look at the In New Jersey
Mary Lou DiCaprio, a parent/volunteer who leads Giraffe teams at a school in Mountain Lakes NJ sent this response to a recent Giraffe e-message: "Having heard President Obama's announcement about increasing the number of math and science teachers, and taking into account my B.S. in chemistry, I believe that I'm being called to be a part of the new spirit of hope, with Giraffe as my guiding light."
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Stan Brock has been an adventure movie hero, a television host, a bush pilot/rancher in the Amazon, and a karate expert. But his greatest challenge is his current one— directing his nonprofit Remote Area Medical, a free service that takes doctors, nurses, dentists and veterinarians into areas of the world where there is absolutely no medical care. (more) |
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Cheryl Perera, of Toronto, founded OneChild, a non-profit that focuses young people on stopping the commercial sexual exploitation of children. (more) |
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Peter Coppelman of Alexandria VA graduated from law school in 1968, one of many young attorneys planning altruistic careers. Coppelman actually did it, spending the next 40 years forgoing the enormously profitable options open to him, working instead for causes he believes in. (more) |
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Sierra Leonean John Bangura saw his parents, other relatives and dozens of friends killed in the fighting in his country. Bangura says he lived for vengeance until he was inspired to work for peace and recovery instead. (more) |
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In Maryland
An inspiring film shows what's happening as the Giraffe Heroes Project works with community groups serving young people in Wicomico County, Maryland.
Near TED Experience
The Project's founder was invited to speak about real heroes at the first Seattle-area TED conference. Read about her "Near TED Experience" on the Huffington Post.
JOHN GRAHAM
Giraffe President John Graham's web page gives you free coaching tips, some amazing stories, and updates on Graham's world-wide mentoring of new heroes. His speeches and workshops offer Giraffe spirit and know-how for your organization or conference.
YOU & THE FOUNDER
From time to time, Ann Medlock, this Project's founder, does a brief but inspiring email called Heads Up. You can check out past copies here. They're so good (and so free) we bet you'll join the Heads Up circle and send them on to friends & family.
For further wit & wisdom from Ann, check out her speeches, radio commentaries and OpEds.
Help the cause
Like what you see here? You can help enCourage today's heroes & train tomorrow's.
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FYI
This is a new website in-progress, replacing an information-laden Giraffe site that was hacked by cyber vandals. They infected all our pages with code that could damage our visitors' computers. This new site is on a new and safer server, and uses the latest, most secure software to prevent future barbarian invasions. Come back soon—more of our great material is being transfered here daily.