Simple Size Me

New Hope Sings

2009-06-02T07:39:00.001-04:00

Dig Down Deep

2009-05-31T08:10:00.002-04:00

Dig Down Deep from SimpleSizeMe on Vimeo.

Grace Children's Home

2009-05-30T09:33:00.000-04:00

Carolyne Wambui

2009-05-29T12:11:00.000-04:00

Philly Clouds

2009-05-28T15:14:00.001-04:00

Just landed

New Hope group shot

2009-05-28T06:07:00.001-04:00

That's a lot of kids!

Grandmother's Project

Mary Mary Matatu

Wut wut.

New hope Boys Soccer

Patrick

Obama A-Millie Matatu

Word.

Africa School of Social Work

Mission Aviation Fellowship East Africa

Runs to the border

Bernard G.

8 years old. Making his first sounds "Baa baaa"

If any of them has a need...

The bell rings at 6pm and 120 children circle around the kitchen for singing, prayer, and a meal of porridge and beans. I've heard all day of the unimaginably difficult circumstances from which these children come. So forgive me if I had to fight back tears as the teenage girl led the group in prayer saying at one point, "Lord, we pray for those who support this center. If any of them has a need, please fulfill it."

It begs the question, "Who is poor?"

New Hope's community food program

2009-05-28T03:11:00.005-04:00

Wilson and Brothers

2009-05-19T14:39:00.000-04:00

Just as soon as I upload this video asking people to consider supporting two new orphans here at New Hope, Mama Chege was confronted today with an urgent need to place ten boys who were sexually abused at another orphanage which is being shut down by the local government. If she didn't have the funds to care for Wilson's two brothers, she certainly doesn't have the funds to care for another 10. However, Mama Chege believes that God will provide. Perhaps he's speaking to you?

Bernard G.

2009-05-15T02:10:00.006-04:00

I just returned from a walk around the village with little Bernard G. He's actually 8 years old but he is considerably smaller than his younger sister. Bernard's family is still alive but they have very severe challenges and simply cannot care for their children. While Bernard was still at home, his parents would dig a hole to keep him in the house while they were off looking for food. I don't know all the details, but he came to New Hope severely malnourished, unable to walk, and unable to talk. When the New Hope staff took him to the doctor, he was too frail to receive the vaccines he needed. The doctor told the New Hope staff to bring Bernard back after a week of good nutrition and if he were still alive then the doctor would feel safe about giving Bernard the medicines he needed. That was 3 years ago.

Cecilia, one of the staff members, was telling me about the day Bernard learned to walk about a year ago. He had been crawling with his hands for two years because his legs were not strong enough to walk. One day, as the other residents of New Hope were returning from school, Bernard was outside and pulled himself up on one of the fences. Suddenly, he began running towards the students who were returning. As Cecilia tells it, there was not a dry eye among the 130 people who live at New Hope.

On my first day here at New Hope, Bernard began making his first sounds "Baa baa". I just returned from a long walk around the village with him and, with much concentration, he is getting better at those sounds. He's a very interesting kid. He giggles and gurgles all the time and is always moving quickly.

Thinking about Bernard being left in a hole all day and also not being able to speak at age 8, Psalm 40 comes to mind:

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

When Bernard squeaks out a new sound, he and everyone around him celebrates with wild enthusiasm. He tries so hard and his seemingly small victories are actually quite significant. It reminds me of our feeble attempts to follow God. While most days are characterized by failure, He celebrates with each of our small victories along the way.

Hearing Bernard's story and spending these couple of days with him, I realize that there might not be any more noble and satisfying way to spend a life than to simply spend time loving people like Bernard.

I cannot stress enough how much your financial gift will help Bernard and the other children at New Hope. The people at New Hope may be the most generous people I've ever met. In just a few days, I've seen several people come with a need and New Hope never says "no". Bernard shares a bed with a boy named David in a building about the size of my garage that houses probably 30 boys. Imagine 30 young boys wetting the bed and what that smells like. It would be easy to say that New Hope should not allow these boys to live this way. But then you remember that without New Hope, Bernard would most likely not be alive today and that these conditions are a significant improvement for each child. And yes, the staff at New Hope is planning to improve the boys dorm. It will cost about $3,000. Please make a donation through SimpleSizeMe today. Your gift will go straight to Bernard and the other children at New Hope.

(p.s. - It takes about 30 minutes to upload a photo with this connection. I've got a lot of great photos and will post them as I am able)

Smile, you're in Kenya

2009-05-12T04:45:00.001-04:00

Posted via Pixelpipe.

2009-05-12T04:32:00.001-04:00

Posted via Pixelpipe.

2009-05-11T03:54:00.001-04:00

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Great ride to Hearthrow

2009-05-11T03:20:00.001-04:00

Sat next to Sharon Hoover of Woodstock, WV who was on her way to the Holy Land. She's probably in her 60's. We had an awesome conversation for a few hours. She and her husband were in a car accident a few years ago. He died, she was in a coma for two weeks, lost her right eye, and got her neck really messed up. While in a coma she said God spoke to her to let her know that her husband was gone and she would be okay. She has become more dedicated to her faith and is making a Holy Land pilgrimmage. BUT her last big trip was to Kaijaida, Kenya where she helped at a school for a few weeks. What are the odds? She said that if I can make my way there I am supposed to say hello to Rose.

I was supposed to sit next to a seemingly less interesting man but the girl next to Sharon wanted my seat so she could sit by her friend. I agreed figuring that one stranger is as good as the next. I felt a real connection with Sharon and I really appreciated her story.

It is also significant that the group I am travelling on behalf of, Fruit of the Vine International, was started to honor Stella Standifer's late husband Glenn. How interesting to meet along the way another widow who also honors her husband's memory as she pursues God's plans for her life.

My new friend Sharon attends Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, WV

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Me & Barack

2009-05-10T17:35:00.001-04:00

Just chillin at gate A17

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Philly Airport

2009-05-10T16:55:00.001-04:00

Posted via Pixelpipe.

going away...

2009-05-10T15:28:00.001-04:00

going away...

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Kenya Trip Maps

2009-05-10T05:01:00.003-04:00

Playing with the Geotagging feature on my phone. Check out these maps.

Flickr map - places photos on a map at the location where they were shot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clumsyfly/map/

Google Map - Will show a trail of where I've been with timestamps and other info.

http://tinyurl.com/KenyaTrip

Embedded version:

View Kenya Trip in a larger map

Projects I'll be Visiting in Kenya May 10-27

2009-05-10T02:32:00.004-04:00

Click here to see a list of places I'll be visiting during my time in Kenya from May 10 to 27.

I would like to share a map with you

2009-05-10T01:00:00.001-04:00

I think you might be interested in this map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=111538618363179697348.00046987b67b417191310

Test...

2009-05-09T22:09:00.001-04:00

Trying a new photo upload program. Pixelpipe for G1

Posted via Pixelpipe.

May 1 - Fruit of the Vine board part 1 - Stella

2009-05-02T01:54:00.003-04:00

I'm heading to Kenya from May 10 to May 27!

April 8 - Dancing for Dinner

2009-04-08T23:38:00.002-04:00

These kids are a riot.

April 7 - PHL to Nairobi?

2009-04-07T14:43:00.003-04:00

Boo ya ka sha!!!

April 6 - I'm back!

2009-04-06T19:26:00.002-04:00

What up, y'all!!

A quick word about some changes here at SimpleSizeMe. I've gladly joined the board of Fruit of the Vine International (new website on the way, old one here). Therefore, I'm directing all future SimpleSizeMe donations to Fruit of the Vine. Many thanks to all the supporters of other organizations, especially The Hunger Project. The Hunger Project does great work and they have received over $3,200 through SimpleSizeMe. I hope to meet their people sometime soon.

My hope now is to give a boost to Fruit of the Vine. I will be working to provide as much information as possible on their efforts. I'm also going to see if I can fly out to Kenya in May (anyone wanna help me with flight money??) to take some video of their projects. I know that once you see the great work that is happening through Fruit of the Vine, you will want to participate.

So from now on, you can think of this blog as a place to learn about hunger and other serious challenges but also as a place to provide direct relief through supporting the work of Fruit of the Vine International. I hope you will join with me in these next two months to build a stronger platform of givers, prayers, doers, and care-ers for Fruit of the Vine.

I am planning to end this rice diet on June 6 which will be the date of the Fruit of the Vine annual banquet. Please plan on joining us here in Philadelphia on that date. I will provide more info as I have it.

Thank you all so much for taking this journey with me. It's been wonderful. Now, let's finish well.

Busy with my normal life. Be back next week. Please watch this video.

2009-03-26T10:11:00.003-04:00

Greater Things from Ayuda Community Center on Vimeo.

Visit www.ayudacc.org for banquet details. Saturday, March 28, 5pm. Philly.

March 20 - Feel it in the air

2009-03-20T21:54:00.003-04:00

People are dying of hunger. Suffering is all around us. Selfish greed stands in the way of justice.

Sometimes we've got to uncork the pent up longing for shalom and reconnect our souls to the rhythm of life that makes little kids and grandparents dance with unfettered joy.

Feel it in the air. Breath it in and let go...

No one has ever been hurt by the unquenchable fever for more...

Maybe all the world really needs is more cowbell.

Have fun. Save the world. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Feel the passion...

So easy to mock, but there's something admirable about his commitment...

March 18 - Never Walk Alone

2009-03-18T20:49:00.001-04:00

March 17 - Flavia Colgan, Citizen Hunter

2009-03-17T14:02:00.003-04:00

Guest post on Flavia Colgan's Citizen Hunter blog at the Philadelphia Daily New web page.

My friend Ryan Kellermeyer has his hands in several amazing projects. I asked him to share one of them with you and I will post about some others in the near future. Take it away, Ryan...

Since January 1, I have eaten only one bowl of rice a day and lost over 50 pounds. Flavia Colgan wanted to know why.

An African proverb states that "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito." This idea has changed my life.

I am one of the richest people in the history of the world, enjoying greater wealth than 95% of people alive today. I'm rich. But here's the trick: I only make $35,000 a year. My North Philly community is rich, but the median household income is only $19,000 (top 11%). Go to www.globalrichlist.com . Type in your income and see where you stand among the world's elite.

Now that you're rich, what are you going to do? Are you still too small to make a difference?

Over 25,000 people die every day from hunger, most of them children. That's almost everyone at a sold-out Phillies game. Daily. The UN World Food Programme says the pricetag to end hunger is $30 billion a year and totally within our reach. Americans spend $35 billion a year in weight loss products. And don't even get me started on that $170 billion we gave to AIG! Meanwhile, we give $0.35 per person per YEAR to foreign aid, most of it going to strategic allies such as Egypt, Israel, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. What is wrong with our priorities as a nation and as individuals? In this time of "Hope and Change" there are billions who need hope and we barely give them the change in our pocket.

It is an amazing time to be alive and even as I type this article I am living proof of the power you and I share. It's not just our wealth but also our access to others of equal wealth that is so empowering.

Since New Year's Eve I have eaten only 1 bowl of rice a day in solidarity with the hungry of the world. I've lost over 50 pounds so far and raised over $5,000 for hunger causes. My goal is to raise $1 million and spread the word that we can and should end hunger right now. Join me at www.SimpleSizeMe.com .

Consume less. Share more. Write to your elected officials. Talk to your family. Hunger sucks. We're rich. Giving is fun. It's time to get your mosquito on.

Ryan Kellermeyer

p.s. - I also work for an amazing community center serving children in the Hunting Park neighborhood of North Philly. www.ayudacc.org. We're having a silent auction on March 28. Take this opportunity to donate a service or item at http://tinyurl.com/Auction09 or bid at http://tinyurl.com/AuctionBids . Contact me at ryan@simplesizeme.com Thank you!

March 16 - Chilling with Rudy on Vimeo

2009-03-16T03:33:00.005-04:00

So far, we have raised $5,416 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

March 16 - Chilling with Rudy from Ayuda Community Center on Vimeo.

p.s. - YouTube was booting this video because I threw this new U2 song in there. U2 is Rudy's favorite band. The song is called "I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" and the lyrics are a rallying cry to activists to take some time to have fun while trying to save the world. Rudy and I have a lot of fun together and this is his favorite band, so eat it YouTube.

This really is a great song...

"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight"

She’s a rainbow and she loves the peaceful life
Knows I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight
There’s a part of me in the chaos that’s quiet
And there’s a part of you that wants me to riot

Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it
Oh, a change of heart comes slow

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting
We’re gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight

Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won’t listen to your boys and girls
‘Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven’t heard
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear
The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but a change of heart comes slow

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Listen for me, I’ll be shouting
We’re gonna make it all the way to the light
But you now I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight

Baby, baby, baby
I know I’m not alone
Baby, baby, baby
I know I’m not alone

Oh oh oh

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As we start out the climb
Listen for me, I’ll be shouting
Shouting to the darkness
Squeeze out sparks of light

You know we’re gonna go crazy
You know we’ll go crazy
You know we’ll go crazy if we don’t go crazy tonight

Oh, slowly now
Oh, be slow

March 13 - Jesus: Wrong for your family. Wrong for America.

2009-03-13T19:41:00.000-04:00

March 12 - Truth in plane sight

2009-03-13T03:30:00.000-04:00

So far, we have raised $5,005 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

March 12 - Two Weeks Hungry

2009-03-12T09:59:00.008-04:00

So far, we have raised $4,411 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Hello Readers,
Well I have been unable to post updates as regularly as I would have hoped going in to this, my work has been keeping me super busy, but I wanted to provide you with a nutshell of my experience so far. I have now been on rice and water for two solid weeks, barring one 24 hour period.

This past Friday I had a small wedding to attend, there was no rice served but I intentionally did not eat any of my rice portion that day and only ate a similar portion of food as I have been eating in rice, and the next evening was surprised with a birthday party in my honor. While there I ate some none non-rice foods for my dinner and had a couple not-water beverages.

While these breaks have satisfied a desire to taste something other than rice it has not abated my general hunger. While eating only rice sort of gets old, it taste's pretty good and by the time I eat everyday I am hungry for it. What I am learning is that though I'm not always hungry, although I do think about my hunger pretty frequently throughout the day, it's that there is no real satisfaction to the meal in the sense that "That was a really fulfilling meal". That's something I've always taken for granted and to look at me I've had more than my fair share of "satisfactory" meals. While this perhaps give me a slight glimpse into other's hunger it still seems pretty unfathomable to me to have live one's life and perhaps never be blessed with the luxury to eat until full from both the variety and quantity of food finishing a meal by sitting back happily from the table and loosening the pants.

I have now lost at least 10 pounds through SimpleSizing my diet and sent 10 days worth of foods savings to feed others. Will you join me by giving up tomorrow's coffee and donating $2.00 to feed a hungry person?

March 11 - Lose weight, gain clothes

2009-03-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

So far, we have raised $4,376 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Wait for the ending...

March 10 - I'm not a rock star but I play one on the internets

2009-03-10T21:27:00.008-04:00

Big thanks to Preston Long who is working with Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchmen) to provide supplemental video material for the Axis of Justice tour which begins in Seattle on 3/24 and features Slash, System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Steve Earle, Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd, Mudhoney’s Mark Arm, The Coup’s Boots Riley, The MC5’s Wayne Kramer, Shooter Jennings and more. In other words, a bunch of big rock stars.

This video, or a more polished version of it will be featured in conjunction with the Axis of Justice tour which Morello describes:

The model of the Justice Tour is simple,” said Morello. “Feed the Poor. Fight the Power. Rock the Fuck Out. I’m very excited to be doing this and jamming with my good friends on the various stops on the tour. I’m equally excited that these artists will be rolling up their sleeves to help alleviate hunger and homelessness in these hard times.” Morello also noted, “It is very important to me to keep ticket prices super cheap so that everyone can enjoy these very special concerts."

p.s. - the idea that Kim Thayil of Soundgarden could theoretically be watching this video totally trips me out. I used to love watching him when I was like 15. Seriously. And Mudhoney? I'm no rock historian but as I think back to like 1992 a very clear mathematical formula emerges: No Mudhoney = No Nirvana, No Soundgarden - in essence, No Grunge. And who would want to live in THAT world? Not me.

March 8 - I Saw What I Saw

2009-03-08T21:59:00.003-04:00

"Your courage asks me what I am made of and what I know of love and what I know of God..."

So far, we have raised $4,351 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Was $1 million too ambitious?

2009-03-04T22:20:00.002-05:00

We're at $4,206 raised for hunger related causes. It's a great thing.

I'm learning. I'm meeting new people. My mind is active. My spirit is strong.

Underneath all of this is the simple question "How do we get people to care?" About anything. It's what I spend the largest amount of my waking life working on.

I often think about Alex Tew. Read his FAQ here. Great idea. It worked. So we're in the realm of possibilities.

At the current rate, we will hit $1million after 14,979 days or roughly 41 years. I'll only be 72 years old then and will have plenty of time to spend my sunset years feasting on Moons Over My Hammy at Denny's.

Clearly I'd like to wrap up this chapter in life while I still have teeth for tearing into a fat juicy steak. So the question remains "How do we get people to care?" I know I'm not the only one asking this question.

Every day the mothers of 25,000 hunger casualties ask it with me.

New voting format

2009-03-03T22:47:00.002-05:00

Since daily voting never really took off, I'm changing this up. Let's see what happens if there is just a running tab of votes and whichever organization is in the lead gets to be the recipient of all donations until they are unseated.

We'll start with the Hunger Project as the recipient since they're folks have been the most consistent. (Thanks THP people!!)

So, tell everyone you know to cast one vote. If you have multiple computers, you can post one for each I think. Go ahead - bend and break the rules all you want. It's for a good cause.

Let's see if this will inspire more competition. Other ideas? Leave a comment or email me at ryan@simplesizeme.com

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 3 - Back to Philly

2009-03-03T22:38:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $4,196 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Give this girl 6 minutes of your time to listen to her mesage.

2009-02-28T09:13:00.001-05:00

Feb 27 - No rice in the hotel

2009-02-28T03:39:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $4,186 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

I'm at a conference in Chicago presenting on some stuff about community development (including this silly slideshow). There's no rice in the hotel restaurants so I had baked beans, cole slaw, and a corn on the cob for my meal today. No video camera, no time for YouTube, just a picture of my meal...

FEB 26 - A new face joins the cause.

2009-02-26T23:51:00.013-05:00

So far, we have raised $4,111 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Greetings! SimpleSizeMe readers. For those of you not following previously I am not Ryan. I instead am Nate Reed and I am joining Ryan in SimpleSizeMe for at least until Easter. I am currently two days into this fast and I miss coffee, but let me tell you why I am joining the cause.

In a nutshell Ryan’s SimpleSizeMe message strikes a chord in several ways.
Though not rich by American standards I don’t struggle to meet any of my own needs and you can probably tell from my photo that I have a tendency to eat beyond my need, so for me this is a glimpse at understanding how billions in the world are forced to exist. Since I have been blessed never to want for anything I feel compelled to better understand want; to better understand the temptation of Christ during this Lenten period; to give the money I would have spent on feeding myself to nourish hungry people, and to hopefully provide perspective on our immense blessings even as all of our news coverage seems to be decrying our utter ruin.

I will also be posting video updates about my background and things I learn through this process. So please come back.

“The Rules”
1. Nate will only eat one bowl of rice each day. He will only drink water, but he can drink as much water as he wants.

2. Nate will post video and text updates to the site about his thoughts and experience.

3. This will continue for 47 days until Easter Sunday.

4. Nate will donate his approximate, typical, 47 day food expense to one of charities supported by SimpleSizeMe. $10 per day will be held for a lump sum donation.

“Why?”
1. SimpleSizeMe has given me new perspective about my blessings.

2. I want to support Ryan’s ambitious goal – Read the SimpleSizeMe "ABOUT" page.

3. As the owner/operator of a business, the last six years have been pretty focused on my own wealth.

4. Though I give regularly to support organizations like www.ayudacc.org, and www.loveshipinc.org, I have been working to become one of the “rich” people with an ambition of generous philanthropy. Someday may never happen. And based on www.globalrichlist.com my approximately $40,000 in income and benefits puts me in the top 3.17% of the world’s richest people. That makes me feel I have a responsibility to do more now.

Feb 25 - Rambling Update From a Hungry Dude

2009-02-25T20:20:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $4,086 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 24 - How do we expect to care for the poor while we teach our kids to consume?

2009-02-24T10:08:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $4,076 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 23 - Lent in your pocket

2009-02-23T22:30:00.006-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,816 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Join me by giving something up for Lent! Print this poster out and share it with others. Think about giving up something for Lent and donating the cash to this cause.

Lent Poster

Publish at Scribd or explore others: marketing online

Poster designed by Doug Vander Meulen of www.missionyear.com and www.donttalktorobots.com

Feb 22 - Real Financial Heroes

2009-02-22T19:42:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,816 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 21 - Affluenza

2009-02-22T02:46:00.000-05:00

I love this movie.

Feb 20 - The End of Food

2009-02-20T23:13:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,696 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Ain't no stupid people gonna fix this hunger problem. Get yer learn on wit this vid-e-oh.

Seriously. Just think for one second how much "food" has changed in your lifetime.

Feb 19 - Party Saturday, Donation Today

2009-02-19T20:57:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,696 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 18 - Satan uses Turbo Tax

2009-02-18T20:44:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,686 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 17 - DON'T FAST

2009-02-17T14:29:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,686 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 16 - "A hungry man is an angry man."

2009-02-16T20:58:00.001-05:00

So far we have raised $3,661 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is Heifer International. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 15 - Every 5 Seconds

2009-02-15T19:59:00.002-05:00

So far we have raised $3,586 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is Heifer International. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 14 - My own personal tea party

2009-02-14T21:15:00.003-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,536 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!!

LEAVE A COMMENT!!

Feb 13 - Kuria is not the same as Korea

2009-02-13T21:20:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,486 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 12 - Fish Farming

2009-02-12T23:28:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,351 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 11 - Two Easy Steps to End World Hunger

2009-02-11T18:25:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,266 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 10 - Hannah's video and Philadelphia Weekly article

2009-02-10T13:41:00.006-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,231 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Thanks Hannah!

See what Philadelphia Weekly has to say!

Feb 9 - The Faces of Hunger

2009-02-09T19:28:00.000-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,131 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 8 - Table Manners

2009-02-08T21:42:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,131 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is Bread for the World. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 7 - Get ur geek on: www.gapminder.org

2009-02-07T14:37:00.006-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,106 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is Freedom From Hunger. DONATE NOW!!

Do you know of a more fascinating presentation on global health data? "The improvement of the world must be highly contextualized."

Feb 6 - Got my DJ on and scored some arroz con gondules

2009-02-07T13:05:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,106 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Feb 5 - De-cluttering the office

2009-02-05T22:56:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,011 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

By the way, I recognize that today's post reveals my own "one more thing" element as described in yesterday's post. And I'm okay with that. I'm in a process of downshifting my life rather than seeking to obtain more. But there are some foundational elements that need to be in order. Plus, I'm only eating a bowl of rice a day so just chill already!

Feb 4 - How much more do you need before you'll help the poor?

2009-02-04T17:37:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,011 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Doesn't it seem like we're always just looking for one more thing... and THEN we'll do the stuff we've always wanted to do to help the poor. THEN we'll be the people we really are deep inside. Once we pay off those debts, get through school, get our kids college fund established, renovate the kitchen, take that trip, put a new sound system in the church, fix the national economy, etc. Seems like there is always just one more thing that we need... and THEN we'll get down to the business of helping those 20,000 people who die every day because they don't have food.

February 3 - My First Interview!

2009-02-03T19:21:00.000-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,961 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

Thanks Hannah!

Feb 2 - Changing the Face of Hunger

2009-02-02T18:45:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,926 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!

This video is long and kind of slow, but excellent and worth the time.

Feb 1 - You Say Tomato, I Say Tobago

2009-02-01T18:35:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,926 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!
Hunger Project people, email me!! ryan@simplesizeme.com

January 31 - Got up at 5am and spent 8 hours outside in 20 degree weather with adolescent Boy Scouts today. Cheated on my diet a little bit.

2009-01-31T18:28:00.005-05:00

I'll give you one guess as to which ones are from our troop. (Hint, our North Philly crew teamed up with a troop from nearby suburban Malvern. We brought the Klondike sled, they brought the equipment. Where are my urban/suburban partnership people?)

January 30 - The Prayer Americans Refuse to Pray

2009-01-30T19:37:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,906 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar for tomorrow's featured cause!

From Francis Chan:

January 29 - Millinium Development Goal #1

2009-01-29T18:27:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,771 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. (Great work Hunger Project voters!!) DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar for tomorrow's featured cause!

January 28 - Paying Off My Truck

2009-01-28T17:32:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,636 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. (3 days in a row, keep it up and spread the word!!! Thanks for the effort!) DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar for tomorrow's featured cause!

January 27 - The Hunger Project

2009-01-27T19:52:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,601 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. (Great work Hunger Project voters!!) DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar for tomorrow's featured cause!

January 26 - Radical Approach to Personal Finance

2009-01-26T18:03:00.002-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,541 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is The Hunger Project. (Great work Hunger Project voters!!) DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar for tomorrow's featured cause!

January 25 - I Love My Job

2009-01-25T18:35:00.002-05:00

So far we have raised $2,501 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured cause is Action Against Hunger. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar to choose tomorrow's featured cause!

January 24 - Action Against Hunger

2009-01-24T18:07:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,501 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured cause is Action Against Hunger. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar to choose tomorrow's featured cause!

January 23 - I have lost 31 pounds!

2009-01-23T19:25:00.001-05:00

So far we have raised $2,470 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is Heifer International. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar for tomorrow's featured charity!

January 22 - Hunger on the Rise (part 2)

2009-01-21T18:51:00.002-05:00

So far we have raised $2,400 for hunger related causes!
Today's featured cause is Bread for the World. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar to select tomorrow's recipient.
Vote in the sidebar to select tomorrow's featured cause!

January 21 - Hunger on the Rise (part 1)

2009-01-21T18:39:00.000-05:00

So far, we have raised $2,190 for hunger-related causes.
Today's featured charity is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar to select tomorrow's recipient.

January 20 - The New Art of Citizenship

2009-01-20T19:07:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $2,155 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!!
Vote in the sidebar to select tomorrow's beneficiary!

January 19 - I Have a Dream

2009-01-19T18:10:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $2,105 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!

January 18 - I Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Me

2009-01-18T17:37:00.000-05:00

Today's video is something I found over at Biscotti Brain.

So far, we have raised $2,105 for hunger-related causes!
Votes for today's featured charity were tied between Bread for the World and Fruit of the Vine International. Today's charity will be Bread and tomorrow's Fruit. DONATE NOW!!

January 17 - Went to IKEA today

2009-01-17T19:16:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $2,080 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is Heifer International. DONATE NOW!!

January 16 - My Roommate Chris

2009-01-16T17:57:00.001-05:00

So far, we have raised $1,970 for hunger related causes!
Today's featured cause is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!

January 15 - Revisiting my 2007 trip to South Africa

2009-01-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

This is a collection of photos and video I shot on my phone during a month in South Africa in 2007. I was visiting the Masibambisani Community Development Center which has a bunch of AIDS hospices and a bunch of local agriculture projects. But mostly I just hung out with people and had fun. Music is all from South African pop band Malaika.

So far, we have raised $1,895 for hunger related causes!
Today's featured cause is Freedom From Hunger. DONATE NOW!

January 14 - I went to the doctor today

2009-01-14T19:35:00.000-05:00

So far, we have raised $1,885 for hunger related causes!
The featured charity for today is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!

January 13 - The Love We've Lost

2009-01-13T17:54:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $1,755 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is Mercy Corps. DONATE NOW!
Vote below for tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

January 12 - Rich Christians in an Age of Postal Deliveries

2009-01-12T17:44:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $1,715 for hunger-related causes!
Today's featured charity is World Vision. DONATE NOW!
Vote below for tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

America's Spending Priorities

2009-01-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

January 11 - How do I feel?

2009-01-11T18:09:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $1,555 for hunger related causes!
Today's featured charity is World Vision International. DONATE NOW!
Vote belowfor tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

January 10 - I tell kids about Simple Size Me

2009-01-10T17:42:00.000-05:00

So far we have raised $1,510 for hunger related charities!
Today's charity is Heifer International. DONATE NOW!!
Vote below for tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

January 9 - A Message for Barack Obama

2009-01-09T17:28:00.000-05:00

So far, we have raised $1,410 for hunger related charities!
Today's charity is Fruit of the Vine International. DONATE NOW!!
Vote for tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

January 8 - Kids tell me if I am rich or not.

2009-01-08T16:16:00.001-05:00

So far we have raised $1,185 for hunger related charities.
Today's charity is Heifer International. DONATE NOW!!
Vote for tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

January 7 - Fruit of the Vine International

2009-01-07T17:40:00.000-05:00

So far, we have raised $1,000 for hunger-related causes.

Vote for tomorrow's charity!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Give A Little Underdog Love

2009-01-06T21:40:00.000-05:00

Fruit of the Vine International is today's featured charity, as voted by visitors to this site.

DONATE NOW!!!

January 6 - Too Big To Fail

2009-01-06T17:43:00.000-05:00

Currently we have raised $655 for hunger-fighting charities!

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

Today's vote winner and donations getter is Fruit of the Vine International.

Vote for tomorrow's winner now!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Vote for tomorrow's winner now!

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

January 5 - Quicken Online is a Social Justice Tool

2009-01-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

Today's vote winner and donations getter is World Vision.

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

Vote for tomorrow's beneficiary now!!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

January 4 - I Getz Monies

2009-01-04T16:49:00.000-05:00

Today's vote winner and donations getter is Oxfam, which is not a family of oxen but an international relief organization.

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

Vote for tomorrow's beneficiary now!!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Here is the impact of the first three days:

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

January 3 - U R Wut U Eatz

2009-01-03T18:01:00.001-05:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

Donate Now!
CLICK HERE

January 2

2009-01-02T17:04:00.000-05:00

It was very encouraging to come home and see that 25 people have joined and donated $120. Then while I was making this video some more donations came through! Thanks everybody. Please keep spreading the word.

I've added Heifer International at the suggestion of a friend. Please email me if there are other worthy organizations you'd like to see represented here.

Online Surveys & Market Research

This poll will be live until 5pm January 3. P.S. the text in the top should indicate that this is for Jan 3-4 donations. I tried using this poll as a template for the next and jacked it up.

January 1

2009-01-01T03:01:00.000-05:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

This poll will be live until dinner time on January 2.

ABOUT

2008-12-31T20:40:00.000-05:00

More than 20,000 people die of hunger EVERY DAY and this is entirely preventable.

"The Rules"
1. Ryan will only eat one bowl of rice each day. He will only drink water, but can drink as much as he wants.

2. Ryan will make a 3 minute (approx.) video update each day with his thoughts on the experience. He will try to make these interesting. Heh.

3. This will continue until $1,000,000 has been raised for organizations focused on hunger internationally.

4. Each day, visitors to www.simplesizeme.com will vote for which organization should receive the funds donated on the following day. Whoever wins the votes on Monday will be the beneficiary on Tuesday. The idea here is to encourage as much participation as possible, so go to it!!

5. Email ryan@simplesizeme.com to suggest an organization doing work to relieve hunger internationally. Not interested in US programs at this time.

6. Email ryan@simplesizeme.com with anything you want and maybe I'll put it in one of my videos.

"Why?"
I'm doing this for my personal benefit, to challenge my peers, and to do a little good in the world. For me, it is an exploration of several concepts:

1. In my job as a fundraiser for a neighborhood nonprofit, I often think to myself, "If just ONE rich person would take up our cause and tell all their friends to chip in, we'd be set." I just realized recently that in the global scheme of things, I am one of those rich people with rich connections. So I wanted to do for the global poor the thing that I wish someone would do for the American poor here in my neighborhood.

2. I hope this project will attract a wide variety of people. It's a big tent and everyone who comes is the right people. Having said that, much of the motivation for this project is born out of my own personal interest in Jesus. Jesus has strong words about the rich and the poor. I want to pursue those themes more deeply and encourage others to do the same, whatever their faith perspective.

3. I think it is worthwhile to take some time to experience a tiny fraction of the hunger that billions of people around the world struggle with every day.

4. I am fascinated with the internet, philanthropy, and how the two can work together. This is my "big idea" to try to make a mark in those worlds and learn a few things.

5. If this does succeed, it will help me do my actual job better. If many many people find this interesting and lend me an ear, then at the appropriate time I can pitch them on the great stuff happening at www.ayudacc.org