Beth Kanter's Birthday Wish
I'm turning 52 on January 5!
This year I'm donating to a good cause: Sharing Foundation: Helping to Care for Cambodia's Children
This is why I'm donating my birthday
This particular cause is something I really care about.
This is my cause
Sharing Foundation: Helping to Care for Cambodia's Children
Mission: Help meet the physical, emotional, educational and medical needs of orphaned and seriously disadvantaged children in Cambodia.
The Sharing Foundation Provides a Route out of Poverty for Cambodian Children Excerpt from Summer 09 Newsletter: Eight years ago, Seiha, Sarem, Ratha, Darien, Makara, Sokret, Sowat and Naveth would have said this day could never possibly happen, …Read More
The Sharing Foundation Provides a Route out of Poverty for Cambodian Children Excerpt from Summer 09 Newsletter: Eight years ago, Seiha, Sarem, Ratha, Darien, Makara, Sokret, Sowat and Naveth would have said this day could never possibly happen, but on Thursday, August 13 TSF celebrated their graduation from universities in Phnom Penh on TSF scholarships, on top of their four previous years of sponsored high school! TSF first met these students when they enrolled in our English school, along with about 450 other youngsters, back in junior high school. They did well enough then to be selected for sponsorship to High School at Jayavarman VII, where financial s u p p o r t a n d encouraging letters from TSF sponsors kept them working hard for four years in special “private classes.” The group again narrowed at the end of high school when the students had to pass the National High School graduation exam, and score medium level or higher in English when tested at the Australia Center for Education [ACE] in Phnom Penh. In the fall of 2005, with the help of an educational consultant, we “interviewed” multiple Universities in Phnom Penh, to fit fields of interest to our students. Elephant, our in-country director, found a three-story large house to rent as a dorm, and outfitted it with needed furniture, lights and kitchen supplies, and secured a bicycle for each student. In October four years ago, ten scared countryside kids, sons and daughters of farmers, not one of whom had a parent or relative who had graduated from high school, moved into the city. Our graduates have had full sponsorships for four years--room, board, books, uniforms, three dorm computers with internet access, a bike each, field trips as required, and a small allowance of 5-10 dollars per month, according to need. We have insisted that all the students also continue their English language learning –the key to most good jobs- by going to the Australia Center for Education [ACE] where, despite some helpful scholarships, TSF committed a lot of funds. Thanks to their faithful sponsors back in the USA, who have nearly all helped massively support “their” students financially for eight years, and continued to write to them as well, most students survived. The average cost of each year’s college education has been $1600/student. This opportunity has totally changed the life prospects of these Cambodian children – now the first college grads ever in their small rural village. More Info http://www.sharingfoundation.org
This is why I care
In Roteang Village, where the Sharing Foundation has programs that help over 1,500 children each and every day, there was a birthday bash at the orphanage for the 70 plus children. The Sharing Foundation hosts an annual, for-everybody-at-once Birthday party, with cake, fruit, and soda. This year the girls each received a handmade doll by two women from a nursing home in Massachusetts and the boys got matchbox cards donated by a local Cub Scout Troop, along with handmade birthday cards.
Today is my birthday and this year, as I have done for the past 8 years, I asked friends and family to donate to the Sharing Foundation in my honor.
We raised $6,158 from 157 donors in total!
That's enough to cover the cost of school uniforms for 615 Cambodian youngsters. Many children in Cambodia do not go to school because their families lack the $10 for a uniform, required for school attendance. Last year, the Sharing Foundation's sewing school, a vocational training program, made over 1250 uniform sets and donated them to needy children in Roteang Village, to the Street Children's Assistance NGO, and to a poor government orphanage. The sewing girls, who are employed by the Sharing Foundation's vocational training program, earn from the first day of their training, so this is a win-win situation.
This is what I'm asking of my friends
I'm asking for $52, or whatever you can afford!
I've raised $3,608 of my $936 goal...
Birthday Greetings
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Happy Birthday, Beth, and what a great idea for your birthday!!! -
Happy Birthday Beth!!! May the upcoming year bring you love, joy, prosperity and a sprinkling or two of magic. hugs, Beth A. -
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are, as always, an inspiration. More of us should have birthday "parties" like you. -
Hope you reach your target! Happy Birthday! :D -
Beth, Happy Birthday! It was my joy to make a donation in your name to this worthy cause! Steve and I spent time in Cambodia this summer and fell in love with the people and culture. We count the days until we return! Thanks for the honor of celebrating you and all you do with this donation! Best wishes on January 11! All the best you -- Jean Case -
Happy BDay, Beth! You're one of my heroes. -
This is a wonderful idea, Beth. A very happy birthday to you in advance! -
Happy Birthday Beth! -
Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Happy Birthday Beth. LEt's talk after the first..... -
Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Happy Birthday Beth! I wish for you and the Sharing Foundation to have a great year in 2009. -
This is a great way to celebrate your birthday! All the best! -
Happy Birthday Beth! My pleasure to give to your cause. Always in awe of you and all that you do!
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Have a wonderful Birthday Beth! You are an inspiration to us all. -
Happy Birthday, Beth. You are truly a tribe leader. -
Happy Birthday to a wonderful human being who actually makes the world better every single day. I am honored to be part of your birthday cause! -
Happy Birthday Beth! And what a classy way to celebrate it!
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Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Wishing you a very happy birthday and an amazing 2009!
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Happy Birthday Beth. I have learned so much about social networking from you and am very grateful! -
Happy Birthday Beth! Thanks for the opportunity to support a wonderful organization on the occasion of your birthday. Kate Talbot
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52? Can't be true. Happy Bday and here's to lots of new and fun stuff for you in 2009 -
Beth - very happy to help this great cause - Happy Birthday! -
Happy Birthday Beth! you continue to inspire (i did the birthday wish in december inspired by yours last year). This is such a wonderful cause....I am always excited to see the developments that continued support is a catalyst for. May 2009 be an unprecedented-ly Wonderful year for these children in Cambodia. -
Happy Birthday Beth...and thanks for the opportunity to give to a worthwhile cause! -
$ 25 in honor of your youthful 25-yr-old spirit and energy!! I'm so glad we were able to visit the Sharing Foundation with your donated goods, etc... while running our annual summer program in 2007! I agree that it's a great organization doing great work! Happy, happy birthday! You're a hero of mine, Beth! -
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thanks for inviting me to your party :->
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Happy Birthday, Beth! A great reason to donate again to The Sharing Foundation and a perfect excuse to keep reviewing the application! :) Congrats on surpassing your goal! -
Happy Birthday, Beth. That was a very compelling video!
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Happy Birthday, Beth. Your fund raising will generate many happy days!
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Happy Birthday, Beth. Many thanks for your donation to the Afghan Orphanage fund. I am really delighted to reciprocate for your birthday, especially as I have just been editing a bunch of Kiva.org loan applications from Cambodia. All the best, Rose (www.rosevines.org) -
I tried to donate $15.52 to be consistent with the birthday request, but Causes shaved it down to $15. In any case, Happy Birthday. All the best, Peter -
Happy birthday, Beth! Sharing Foundation is a great cause. -
Happiest of birthdays, Beth!
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Happy Birthday! -
Happy Birthday Beth! Glad to be part of your birthday cause. Cheers! Lisa Harris
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Happy Birthday! You rock! Everything we know at The Children's Room about social media, we learned from you! -
Happy Birthday Beth; Thank you for the rapid response to my comment, and the continued feedback on the Birthday Cause feature. :)
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Beth, Happy Birthday! Thanks so much for assisting us "neophyte nonprofits" to use social media. You are a blessings to many. -
I hope your birthday is splendid fun for you and that you achieve your birthday wish of making a difference in the lives of some Cambodian kids. -
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for helping such an important cause.
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Beth, you're the Number One Wired Fundraiser of all time. Thanks for all you do for the place I spent my formative years!! -
Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Happy Birthday Beth! W00t for 1/11, the day you were born! Srsly. Beth, you rock. I could go on and on about this and that...lets let the story speak for itself. I am so excited that you're moving closer and I'll hopefully get to meet your whole family. The video you and Harry made pretty much made me cry so ... donated 11.09 ... the day of your birthday this year. Thank you for continuing to push us forward with your generosity, openness, and creative approaches. "We have a Creative Commons shirt," is something the world needs to hear more of. If Harry wants a video pen pal, sign me up! Now, let's get that goal met and help some more children! W00t! ~ handy.
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Happy Birthday Beth !!! I had written you a long love note, then facebook ate it. I don't know what to write now, so I'm including this quote from Rumi. Maybe it will help you with your move this coming year. "Look as long as you can at the friend that you love, no matter if they are coming towards you or going away from you." I'm so happy that you were born Beth! Good job! :) Love, ~ Erin
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Happy birthday. Delighted to help you show how social networks help raise funds!
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I love people using their Birthdays to benefit their favourite causes Happy Birthday Nick -
Happy Birthday Beth! As usual doing great stuff with all the tools at your fingertips and helping us learn along the way.
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Happy Birthday! Thanks for teaching me so much! Have a terrific 2009! :) -
Thank you for showing us all a way to share our birthday wishes with you to help send children to school in Cambodia. -
Happy Birthday, Beth, hope you reach the goal!
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Beth, you are a force of nature. We have such fond memories of Cambodia and the people there--hoping that you make it to your goal. Happy Birthday! -
Happy Birthday, Beth! I absolutely regret not giving last year. I'm not going to let that happen again. -
Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Beth, you're right. This is way better than cake and presents. Glad to help a guru for the good like you reach even higher. Have a great year. -
Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Happy BIrthday Beth! This is such a great idea - I'll appropriate it for my birthday this summer. Elke -
Beth, your work and leading by example is inspirational! Happy Birthday! -
Hi Beth, happy birthday! :) Your kindness to spend a few moments addressing my blogging questions at Gnomedex made a big impression on me. I love how you use your blog and life to help others. You are an inspiration! Wishing you & the youth in Cambodia a fantastic new year. Happy birthday! :-)
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I hope you have a wonderful Birthday!
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Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Hope it's a great day, Beth. Thank you so much for everything you do for the rest of us nonprofit folks...and the world.
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Beth - love that you used this tool and Twitter to help your cause. Super cool - and I'm doing in when my b'day comes around (in many months...fortunately :) ). -
Happy Birthday, Beth! And well done! It's great to see so many people getting involved and being successful. -
Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead (Happy Birthday Beth) -
Happy Birthday Beth.... Wish you all the best... Really appreciate your hard work so far :) -
Happy birthday, Beth. It's little, i know. But all i can afford as a student living from hand to mouth. All the best wishes. Phy -- -
Thanks for the model way you use your blog to make an impact in the world Beth. You are an inspiration to many. All the best to the Sharing Foundation kids, and happy birthday! -
Here's hoping your day finds you surrounded by love and good all around. Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Beth, I hope you have a wonderful birthday, I know some kids in Cambodia will, thanks to your generosity of spirit. You're incredible! -
Suggest you wear a hat on your Birthday. Ladies in hats have more fun! Ray -
Happy Birthday Beth... you seriously don't look 52... I thought you were like 40... WOW! Thank you for doing this for such a deserving group of young people. I wish you the best in 2009! Javier -
Happy Birthday, Beth. This was the best birthday present I've ever given.
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To a new, even better year in the life of one of our world's most passionate do gooders. Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Beth, Every time I dip into your blog I learn something important. Keep up the good work. Carol -
Happy Birthday, it's always better to give than receive; a shining example for all of us. -
Happy Birthday, Beth! Love all that you do!
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Happy Birthday Beth! Your social smarts rock the house! -
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday. Elana -
Thanks for doing this, Beth. What a great way to celebrate. Happy Birthday!
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Happy to give to such a great cause in honor of someone with the energy of people half her age. So Happy 21st Birthday Beth!! Corey (told you I like to be a last minute giver) ;-)
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if every org had as tireless a champion as you, the world would be a wonderful place. keep on kicking ass and have a great birthday! -
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you have a wonderful year :-)
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Feliz cumpleaños Beth!
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Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Happy birthday, Beth!
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Happy B-Day Beth! As always, a great idea. Just imagine if more people did this?! -
Happy Birthday and thanks for the inspiration!
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Happy Birthday, Beth! -
My Dad didn't want to use a credit card to donate, sent me a check. (He's 87 and has a Facebook Profile) So it gave me a chance to check out the donation form. -
Happy Birthday, Beth! :) -
Happy Birthday, Beth! -
Happy Birthday Darling. May your day be filled with the kind of outrageous generosity and loveliness that you exemplify! Here's my little bit for the kids in Cambodia - I only wish I could it could be more. Amy -
Happy Birthday Beth! Looking forward to collaborating and Cause Marketing, seeing you at NTEN, etc etc... Keep up the good work. -
Happy Birthdiggety, Beth- Although I've only known you for about 2-3 internet messages, you seem like a great person, and I'm happy to support this cause. Thanks for being an inspiration and an example to us all. -jeremy chapman -
Glad to join such a great communal effort and celebration! Happy Birthday! -Avi
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Happy Birthday -- cool way to celebrate it -
Happy Birthday, Hope you get your wish!! -
happy happy happy beth! let's send more well dressed kids to school! best, hoong yee -
Have a great day Beth--- love the inspiration you provide for all of us, and the work you do to motivate us to do great work together. -
You are an inspiration to us all! Wishing you the best year ever. Cheryl -
Happy Birthday, Beth! What a wonderful cause! -
Happy Birthday, Beth! This is a great cause and I'm so happy to be able to help out :). It warms my heart that there are so many people out there that care about the future of Cambodia, like we do! xoxo, Michaela
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Happy birthday Beth! -
I was so inspired by my trip to Cambodia last week - and appreciate your wonderful tips. Happy Birthday Beth, and congrats on another successful online campaign! Here's to a wonderful year to you and to the children we are helping in Cambodia. -
Happy Birthday, Beth! Congrats on turning 52 and reaching your goal for your birthday fundraiser! Dave -
Thanks for doing this. Hope your birthday was fantastic!
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I'm a bit late and I know your wall has been a busy one, but many happy returns to you and thanks for having your celebration be one that helps so many. Best, Megan -
You are the most incredible fundraiser on the planet, Beth! Congratulations on turning 52. You are nowhere in life yet. I'm 67 and in India -
Late on the birthday thing, as usual (just ask anyone in my family). Hope you had a great one and assuming I am not too late to put a dent in your goal!
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Just returned from a trip (my honeymoon!) to Cambodia. Glad to connect with the country again in this way.
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Thanks Beth for the opportunity to give to this cause. Good Thinking! I'm going to have to look into this myself!
