Project Map
To add extra navigability to the website, a map of the journey was created. Although it currently only includes photos, browse around through visited locations and find the precise coordinates. Enjoy the trip! More videos soon to be posted.
Volunteer Experience: Playa Las Tortugas
By Nancy Silva
As we continue our path toward globalization, delineations, boundaries and demarcations of nations, gender roles, cultures and societies get increasingly blurred. Such occurrence has, in some cases, been the cause of confusion; but at other times, it can manifest itself in a more positive light. It can offer the world’s population a chance to unite and create shared values: values that can be the foundation of a healthier global civilization. It may not be an easy task but it’s a task worth taking. This might seem impossible at the global level but after seeing it take place in an isolated location this summer it made it possible for me to believe in such a change.
In the beginning of the year I decided I would volunteer during the summer, just before starting a new phase in my life. I had always wanted to volunteer in something I was passionate about but was always “too busy”. As an avid reader of this blog, I finally obtained the much-needed nudge to make my daydreams a reality. After doing research online, contacting and exchanging emails with different organizations, I finally found an organization that suited my interest and timeline: Playa las Tortugas – a sea turtle camp in Mexico. The purpose of the camp is to collect and incubate sea turtle eggs. Once the Incubation period is over, newborn sea turtles are released into the ocean. It’s such a natural process that such task could seem unnecessary; unfortunately, sea turtles are part of the Mexican local cuisine and many turtles are never given the chance to even battle the sea and all its dangers. The organization’s main goal indeed is to collect the nests before poachers get to them.
Every night became a race.
Cagdas Yasami Destekleme Dernegi (CYDD)
Short-documentary about Cagdag Yasami Destekleme Dernegi (Association for Support of Contemporary Living), one of the largest and most prestigious non-profit organizations in Turkey. The Association utilizes education to promote social development, in a society characterized by distinct traditions and practices. (For slower internet connections, turn off the High Definition button – HD – on the right lower corner).
People of Change – Ça?da? Ya?am? Destekleme Derne?i from Fernando Sapelli on Vimeo.
Los Angeles, Ice Teas and Angelina Jolie
It’s interesting how much attention volunteerism has gotten in the past few months. In a recent article published by CNN, Eva Vasquez asks if “celebs like [Angelina] Jolie inspire voluntourism?” She further explains the implications of the term “voluntourism,” which for those of you who have been following the project, it might bring memories of an article published about two months ago called “The Role of Profit Not For Profit.” Same concept. The difference however, regards how the topic was approached. Whereas one chose to focus on the social and personal implications of volunteerism, the other used the influence of celebrities to explore the subject matter. Not a matter of right or wrong per se, but rather a contrast of perspectives. Ultimately, Vasquez’ opening question does echo significant considerations.
We live in a celebrity-obsessed culture. People like Angelina Jolie certainly bring attention to relevant matters and causes; yet, it also glamorizes the subject matter. Sorry to break the news but there is nothing glamorous about volunteer work; or starving children, or extreme poverty. Even the term “voluntourism” glamorizes volunteerism (it just sounds so bubbly and fun). If glamorization is what it takes for people to volunteer themselves then there must be something off. Change comes from within. The same will that guides one towards the meaningful choices represents the lack of. In other words, if you care about starving children and extreme poverty for the wrong reasons, then you would be better off following the trails of Lindsay Lohan.
Californian Bubbles
Perfect sunsets, arid flowers, princesses and cartoons, neon lights, colorful parades: amidst such excessive doses of eye candy, we forget life exists outside the bubble. Breakthrough.
Static Navigation
Memories of once familiar streets, faces and feelings have abruptly left the imaginary spectrum and invaded a consciously elapsed reality. Just about one year ago, I had left habitual lands in search of ordinary grounds. Along the way, novel streets, faces and feelings changed personal perceptions of surrounding landscapes. Being away brought one inevitable realization: these once familiar landscapes have remained unaltered; but when change comes from within, no streets, faces and feelings remain unmoved.
Trapped miners in Chile, oil spills in the United States, floods in Pakistan, killings in Mexico: one month has gone by around the world while I have remained static. Returning home was accompanied by personal contradictions: clean sheets, full refrigerators, and comfortable couches; it was good to be back. Even though I believed I could fight the excessive options and the easiness of home life, I eventually got trapped around these commodities. Streets, faces and forgotten feelings had indeed remained unaltered, but I no longer knew how to navigate through them.
Traveling around the world, documenting the work of NGOs (and individuals) committed to the betterment of humanity - as well as personal anecdotes. 
