Dan's Impact in Teignmouth, Devon, UK
I spent the month of April working as a volunteer at PSF, Pisco, Peru. I feel that the experience has had a life changing affect on me, all in a positive sense, however, I wanted to talk about one thing that has happened since my return back to the UK.
I live and work in the small seaside town of Teignmouth, Devon. I generally try to keep a low profile about voluntary work that I have done, however, a friend suggested that I approach the local newspaper and ask them if they want to do a feature on my exploits. I agreed that this could be a good idea, so gave them a call. The reporter was interested and suggested that I email him with some details and photos. This was done and I found my story on a full page spread of two local papers, one of which is a free paper and is distributed to at least 10,000 homes in Teignmouth.
It's quite funny living in a small town, because I am pretty sure that people were looking at me as I walked around the town, making the connection!!
I own and run a small shop in Teignmouth, within a few days of the article coming out, a lady walked in, with tears in her eyes, and asked to make a £50,00 donation to the project.
I have also received a couple of small donations since then. Let me say here that I am probably the worlds most hesitant fund raiser, preferring to keep a quiet low profile!
Yesterday, one month since the article was published, a lady came into the shop and raised the possibility of donating enough money to buy a complete modular home, £400,00 and was making noises about persuading someone else that she knew to do the same. I was very touched and excited by this, I suddenly realised that all of these possibilities had arisen from the original newspaper feature.
So, it is clear! If you have just returned from Pisco, this could be a very easy and free way to generate interest. The best thing is that me having been there, I can give a first hand account with clarity and enthusiasm, which re - ignites my enthusiasm also!
My time at PSF has opened my eyes in a way that they cannot be closed again. I am taking steps to completely change my life in order that I can do this kind of work on a full time basis. For this I am truly grateful.
I live and work in the small seaside town of Teignmouth, Devon. I generally try to keep a low profile about voluntary work that I have done, however, a friend suggested that I approach the local newspaper and ask them if they want to do a feature on my exploits. I agreed that this could be a good idea, so gave them a call. The reporter was interested and suggested that I email him with some details and photos. This was done and I found my story on a full page spread of two local papers, one of which is a free paper and is distributed to at least 10,000 homes in Teignmouth.
It's quite funny living in a small town, because I am pretty sure that people were looking at me as I walked around the town, making the connection!!
I own and run a small shop in Teignmouth, within a few days of the article coming out, a lady walked in, with tears in her eyes, and asked to make a £50,00 donation to the project.
I have also received a couple of small donations since then. Let me say here that I am probably the worlds most hesitant fund raiser, preferring to keep a quiet low profile!
Yesterday, one month since the article was published, a lady came into the shop and raised the possibility of donating enough money to buy a complete modular home, £400,00 and was making noises about persuading someone else that she knew to do the same. I was very touched and excited by this, I suddenly realised that all of these possibilities had arisen from the original newspaper feature.
So, it is clear! If you have just returned from Pisco, this could be a very easy and free way to generate interest. The best thing is that me having been there, I can give a first hand account with clarity and enthusiasm, which re - ignites my enthusiasm also!
My time at PSF has opened my eyes in a way that they cannot be closed again. I am taking steps to completely change my life in order that I can do this kind of work on a full time basis. For this I am truly grateful.
