GIRAFFE ACTION, FAR & WIDE

We are in the process of tracking down 29 young Giraffes we chose in 1990 for a tour of the then Soviet Union, a trip sponsored by Ben & Jerry's. Now we're tracking down the "kids." Here's the group photo, with their B&J chaperones. Click on the photo to see their names and click here to read the delightful story of an epic journey that they've told us changed their lives. If you're in the photo, Contact Giraffe!

In India

B.V. Rao, Editor of the magazine Governance Now;
Giraffe Hero Bunker Roy; John Graham, Director of
Giraffe Heroes International; and Giraffe Hero
Vijay Saluja, now Director of Giraffe Heroes India.

Giraffe Hero Vijay Saluja is now Director of Giraffe Heroes India, a Delhi-based operation that will find and honor that nation's Giraffe Heroes and move more citizens into courageous engagement in solving public problems there. Giraffe Heroes International Director John Graham recently spent 12 days in India, working with Saluja to get the operation up and going. They met with dozens of people in government, business, media, education and in non-governmental organizations, finding widespread enthusiasm for Giraffe India's plans. Read the full GH India report here.

In Nepal

Giraffe Heroes Nepal (GHN) is up and running, following a ten-day visit by GHI Director John Graham to help kickstart the operation. GHN's leader is Dr. Sushil Koirala, (the man in the great hat). He was commended as a Giraffe Hero for founding Peace for Nepal in 2004 to help end his country's bloody civil war. He's gathering nominations for the first commendations to be awarded by Giraffe Heroes Nepal. (The full story) 

In the UK

Dr. Musharraf Hussain O.B.E., founder of the Karimia Institute, president of the the UK's Christian-Muslim Forum and Trustee of the National Centre for Citizenship talks with Giraffe's John Graham about the launch later this year of Giraffes/UK. They're shown here in the studio of Dawn Radio, Karimia's broadcasting facility in Nottingham, England. Giraffes/UK will honor heroes there, regardless of their ethnicities or religious affiliations and will aim at narrowing the dangerous gap between Muslims and non-Muslims throughout the UK.

In Singapore

Giraffe Founder Ann Medlock went part way round the world to fabulous Singapore to keynote a conference at Singapore Management University. Ann's talk was about female Giraffes and the changes they've catalyzed in communities large and small. (Go to our online database and ask for stories about female Giraffes. There are hundreds of great stories.) Conference organizer Kirpal Singh invited Ann to keynote after hearing her speak at the American Creativity Association and then reading about her "near-TED experience." Ann wrote about the Singapore adventure in her monthly email to friends of Giraffe. If you're not already receiving that email, subcribe to Heads Up now. You can also read a full-page interview with Ann in the Straits Times. If you think Ann might be a good addition to an event you're planning, contact us about getting on her calendar.

In Nigeria

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. (more)

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." (more)

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.