Project by: Rei Weintraub (12th Grade), Nina Gerzema (12th Grade), Josh Sapira (12th Grade)
Project Advisor: Daniel Li
Student(s)’s Advisor(s): Jane Belton (Rei’s advisor)
Description of the Project:
Final Product (e.g., documents, images, video, audio, poster, display, etc.):
Final Reflection on Learning:
Update on Progress from Weeks 1-3 (include any photos or video if relevant):
Rei’s update:
Towards the end of last year, we had the opportunity to share with the school the kinds of work that we do in partnership with a non-profit organization in Cambodia called Tassel. We were excited to hear that many people were interested, and were disappointed that our work was cut short due to recent events. Although our work was put on hold, the needs of the Cambodian community we teach are higher than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic struck Cambodia during a severe drought from which many families were already strugglin
g. Both situations have left many people unemployed and unable to provide for their families. Although teaching is definitely important, we felt that fundraising was a priority going into this year. We are beginning the year making bracelets to sell to our classmates and teachers. We are currently planning a fundraiser with some other chapters in different schools to raise money for Tassel.
These is an image of the bracelets we are going to sell to our classmates:
Nina’s Update:
This year Rei and I were given the opportunity to start our own LREI Chapter for NY. As we haven’t yet started one of our own, we are currently running as if we are. We haven’t created our own chapter simply because Josh and I weren’t able to go to Cambodia last summer and it was recommended by Joji that we hold off until the members that are apart of LREI go to Cambodia and teach in person so we have a closer connection to the TASSEL community. So far, I have helped coordinate a fundraiser selling bead bracelets that say different things (eg: TASSEL, NYC, Save The Earth, etc.). We have currently recruited four new people, one being Daniel Li who is helping oversee everything we are planning and to help organize and consult. I have also taken the writing test again to ensure my ability to teach. I have also helped collect people to attend a live, virtual fundraiser/information streaming where TASSEL teachers (including volunteers) will present on the various goings on for TASSEL. I am so super excited to start raising money and begin teaching. After teaching a Cambodian teacher over the summer, I have been able to stay in casual contact with them and am hoping to teach them again this winter. Rei and I will be helping one of our new recruits with VSEE teaching (video chat) which will be two sessions a week (Rei and I will split them between the two of us) and we will also be teaching two other sessions on our own.
This is the first flyer for the fundraiser.
Josh’s Update:
So far this year, I have retaken the Tassel entry quiz and applied to be a writing instructor again. However, the bulk of what our group has done has been about raising money for the families that are struggling because of COVID (among other things). We have brainstormed ideas and will be selling bracelets to raise money. As an organization that feels strongly about the values of a community and empathy, I feel very aligned with their mission, which is why I am really looking forward to continuing/ramping up my work for Tassel. I also hope our group can do more in the future to help spread more awareness of what is happening and has happened in Cambodia.
Update on Progress from Weeks 4-6 (include any photos or video if relevant):
Rei’s Update:
Over the weekend, with some Tassel volunteers in Japan, we organized a live fundraising event. At the event, we had Cambodian Tassel student teachers, Tassel students, and foreign teachers speak. We talked about the situation of rural Cambodia during COVID, as well as personal stories about the impact of Tassel on students and volunteers. During the fundraiser, we had a surprise guest appearance by thousands of Tassel students who came to say greet viewers. We got about 200 guests to attend and it was overall a very moving event.
Nina’s Update:
We have the Virtual Fundraiser Livesteram on YouTube this Saturday night. LREI alone has gotten around 30 or so people. I’m still waiting on some of the people I invited to respond to my email about attending. So far, I think three people have donated because they couldn’t attent. We also finished selling bracelets and the last I heard, we had around 300 dollars but we jsut sold a few more yesterday so hopefully we have around 400 dollars now. I am planning on teaching three times a week, twice on my own (hopefully with Chhon, a teacher I taught over the summer with Rei) and one with Sherly, same as Rei, so she isn’t teaching alone for her first year. I’ve sent various emails relating to the fundraiser, trying to get more attendees mostly since my last update.
Josh’s Update:
Since my last update, we have sold bracelets to the LREI community in the lobby of 40 Charlton. We raised a lot of money and were able to donate that to Tassel. However, what was most exciting was the virtual fundraiser Tassel ran. It was very well run, and about 200 people tuned in to watch. Rei spoke, which was awesome to see! It was also really nice to see Tassel students on the live stream because sometimes you can feel disconnected from the people you are trying to help. These past few weeks have really reinvigorated my interest and desire to partake in Tassel and I am super excited for the rest of the trimester and beyond.
Update on Progress from Weeks 7-9 (include any photos or video if relevant):
Rei’s Update:
Nina’s Update:
Josh’s Update:
Not much has happened these past few weeks. After the fundraiser, I have mostly been waiting for assignments from Tassel to complete. That being said, I am still equally excited about receiving essays to correct and connecting with students. I did find myself writing about Tassel in a college supplement as something I am proud to be a part of. Even though I am only a small part of the organization, writing the supplement had me reflecting on why I joined in the first place. I love the way the organization teaches love, empathy, and kindness along with the English education, and it reminded me of why I continue to volunteer for Tassel.
