Celebrating Proyecto Horizonte through Food, Film, Friends & Art

Last weekend, I co-hosted my first Proyecto Horizonte charity event.  One of my friends in Seattle started the Charity Film & Food group, where he encourages his friends to do what they love once a month while sharing their passion for a cause.  This month, seventeen of us celebrated and contributed to Proyecto Horizonte.  Our small group gathered to enjoy delicious food with everything from burritos, to homemade empanadas (salteñas) to chips, salsa and more.  We also shared our happiness through art and watched a movie.  I provided watercolor paper and a variety of pens, pencils, and paints for anyone to use.  The goal was to illustrate, “what makes you happy” and share it with Proyecto Horizonte as a part of the organization’s 10-year anniversary campaign.

After we had eaten, conversed, and the majority of friends had arrived, I gave everyone an overview of Proyecto Horizonte.  To begin, I explained why Proyecto Horizonte is my charity of choice and shared my experience onsite in 2012 during my backpacking trip throughout South America, as well as my continued remote support.  In Bolivia, I tutored in the school and helped with marketing materials for Tantakuna women’s group.  Since then, I’ve provided event support, translation, and editing.  I then explained Proyecto Horizonte’s holistic approach and goals of community sustainability and showed them a short video presented at Latin Finance Awards in January, “What Do You Think of Proyecto Horizonte?”, a video which showcases students, parents, and volunteers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QsBB8avzvE).  

We then settled in to watched “Once”, a contemplative film that emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities to fulfill your dreams, while supporting others’ dreams.  Then, we talked more about Proyecto Horizonte, discussed my and others’ adventures in South America, and made room for dessert.  At the end of the event, we posed for a few photos, highlighting the remainder of the group and the “Share You Happiness” art bulletin.  We plan to share this expression of our happiness with Proyecto Horizonte as a part of the 10-year anniversary and happiness campaign.

By the end of the evening, we felt more united and were satisfied with our small, but impactful event.  Together, we raised $280 for Proyecto Horizonte - enough to cover a teacher’s salary for a month. Just think of what a difference we could make if all friends joined each month to support a cause like Proyecto Horizonte!

Ashley Lacy, Volunteer

Seattle, USA

Reconnection with Proyecto Horizonte in New York City

In January, I had the opportunity to meet the founder of Proyecto Horizonte, Christian Ruehmer, and work with other volunteers in supporting Proyecto Horizonte at the LatinFinance Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City.  LatinFinance provides financial markets intelligence on Latin America and the Caribbean and publishes a magazine and daily news alert.  It also hosts conferences and other events, such as this one.  For the awards ceremony, Proyecto Horizonte was selected as the “charity of choice” and featured throughout the evening.  The gala showcased Proyecto Horizonte through an auction, a speech and video presented by Christian, and beautiful pledge cards, which highlight Proyecto Horizonte’s own children appreciatively thanking the new donors with their short, extended arms waving paper with letters that spell out, “GRACIAS”.

I first worked with the children of Proyecto Horizonte about two years ago when I volunteered onsite, tutoring after school in reading and writing and supporting the Tantakuna women’s group through marketing and research.  Since then, I have worked remotely with translations and marketing, still supporting the organization, but at a distance.   

As a part of preparing for and supporting Proyecto Horizonte at the LatinFinance event, volunteers supplied tables with pledge cards, set up the auction table, and talked about PH among ourselves and with potential donors.  Ramping up for the event was exciting and filled with anticipation, but after an evening filled with drinks, dinner, an awards ceremony, and the auction, we were exhausted. However, at the end of the four-hour event, we paused and gave a toast to Proyecto Horizonte, satisfied that what we did that evening would translate into changing lives.

The venue was beautiful, the evening went smoothly, and thankfully, our work that evening did raise funds for Proyecto Horizonte.  What was most meaningful to me was the chance to meet Christian and his family and other volunteers, like Brittany Denter, who are excited about and engaged with Proyecto Horizonte’s work.  Collaborating as a remote volunteer can sometimes be challenging, even with Facebook, Skype and all of the other technologies connecting us.  This event has helped me reconnect with Proyecto Horizonte’s mission and remember why it’s important to me to support the community of Mineros San Juan and to share the happiness I experienced while I was there walking through the bright Bolivian sunlight and chatting with the children.

---Ashley Lacy, Volunteer