I am a big supporter of my students, and even more so when their volunteer work is aimed at supporting non-profits. One of my former students (and currently doing research with me) Emelie Peacock is organizing a fundraiser along with Bokeo Development Fund Society and Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver, to raise funds for sanitation (a topic that, as you know, is my scholarly field and near and dear to my heart). Please read on for information.
Photo credit: Sustainable Sanitation on Flickr
On July 12th, 2012, Bokeo Development Fund will present an evening of pro-amateur stand-up comedy at famed Canadian comedy joint Yuk Yuk’s. The show will feature local stand-up comedians in an uncensored laugh fest. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Bokeo Development Fund. So while you are Yuk’ing it up with your friends, you are also doing a world of good by supporting the building of toilets in rural villages of Northern Laos.
Location: Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver’s brand new location at 2837 Cambie Street
Time: 8pm, doors at 7
Tickets: Suggested donation $10 (at the door or contact Bokeo Development Fund)
About BDF
BDF is a registered Canadian charity, started in 2009 by Paddy Dadson, a Vancouver native. It is exclusively focused on working with the Hmong people of Bokeo Province in northern Laos to provide sanitation facilities, thereby preventing disease and enhancing quality of life for many families. The organization is truly grassroots, community-oriented and sustainable. Paddy Dadson speaks fluent Lao and has developed strong relationships of trust and respect with the local Hmong people, calling them his “Hmong family”. BDF works through traditional village power structures and the Laos government. BDF largely adheres to the “teach a man to fish” proverb; villagers take ownership of projects, performing all manual labour and gaining the knowledge necessary to maintain and expand their sanitary facilities in the future. In this way, BDF works to avoid a culture of dependence on foreign aid. The total cost of a toilet is CAD 200.
About Yuk Yuk’s
Yuk Yuk’s is a national chain of comedy clubs with 17 Canadian locations from coast to coast. Founded by Mark Breslin in 1976, Yuk Yuk’s created the Canadian stand-up comedy scene and was the launching pad for such international stars as Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel and Norm MacDonald.
Contact
Twitter: @BDFVancouver
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BokeoDevelopmentFundSociety
Website: www.bokeodevelopmentfund.org
I think this will be a fantastic event and I hope that many of you will be able to join. Please share widely with your networks as well. What could be best than an inexpensive event where you will get to have fun AND also support sustainable sanitation in developing countries?
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