Journeying Together

by | Feb 25, 2022 | ShiftHappens

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for the warm messages I have received from so many of you during this, my first full week as Executive Director of The Pollination Project. It goes without saying that I am deeply humbled and honored to have the immense privilege of serving this global community of heartivists.

Already this new adventure has been revelatory and inspirational. On Sunday, I attended the global pitch event for The Changemaker Project. Led by AnnaLise Hoopes, The Changemaker Project helps young people apply design thinking to social issues close to their hearts. Then, they present their ideas for the chance to win funding to scale and expand their projects. Pollination Project support was the first seed grant AnnaLise received for this work.

This year, the projects ranged quite widely. One team designed work that addressed dolphin slaughter in Japan, another focused on support for sexual assault survivors, and several proposed solutions to help inspire plant-based food choices within their schools, among many others. Each shared one thing in common, which was the enthusiasm and passion behind their presentations. It was so clear that, no matter the project-related outcomes that will happen through their work, each student would be forever changed just by the very fact of their participation. Not only that, their friends and classmates will be impacted by witnessing this work unfold. Teachers and parents might even be inspired to remember their own agency to create a kinder, more compassionate world. Experiencing this event and reflecting on it was such a beautiful way to begin this new role.

We often say that the process matters as much or more than the outcome; yet that is a slight misnomer. Truthfully, the process IS an outcome; the way in which your work changes you is impactful, even as it is immeasurable. This is true for the young visionaries at The Changemaker Project, it is true for our grantees with The Pollination Project community, and it is also true for the advisors, volunteers, team members, board members, and anyone else lucky enough to intersect with this beautiful mission.

The journey is as important as the destination. I feel lucky and grateful to walk along beside you, and eager to carry our shared mission to new places together.

In your service,

Instagram

"Sowing Change: Conversations about Seed Grant Impact," is designed to shed light on the transformative work of our grantees, made possible through the support of TPP's seed grants. 

In our first episode, our Natasha Reilly-Moynihan meets Tracy Glover of @sweetpeepsmicrosanctuary, a haven for chickens rescued from animal agriculture. Tracy shares the transformative journey of these sentient beings from being seen as mere food to recognized as unique individuals with their own stories. 

This series aims to showcase the ripple effect of TPP's seed grants through powerful narratives of change and compassion. Tune in to be inspired and to see the world from a new, hopeful perspective.

Watch it now and let us know iff you like it 🧡👇
Please, meet Maida Šabeta-Lemajić , our Heartivist of the Week!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark document from 1948, marked a pivotal moment for humanity by acknowledging inherent rights for all individuals, regardless of origin or circumstance. However, while humans have seen progress in safeguarding their rights, the same cannot be said for other inhabitants of the planet. Maida Šabeta-Lemajić, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, is tirelessly working alongside the Global Animal Law GAL Association to extend universal protection to all sentient beings.

Born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maida's journey into animal advocacy began during her college years when she discovered the pervasive issue of animal cruelty. Since then, she has been instrumental in shaping animal protection laws in her country, leading to significant reforms such as banning animals in circuses and curtailing animal experimentation.

Maida's dedication to animal welfare has taken her to various organizations, including PETA Germany and Cruelty Free International. However, it is her involvement with the Global Animal Law GAL Association that has allowed her to pursue her dream of enacting global animal protection laws. Under the leadership of figures like Dr. h.c. Antoine F. Goetschel, the association is working towards establishing the United Nations Convention on Animal Health and Protection (UNCAHP), a monumental initiative aimed at legally safeguarding animals worldwide. 

Maida and her team are spearheading efforts to raise awareness and garner support for the UNCAHP through initiatives like video production and outreach campaigns. With support from organizations like The Pollination Project, they aim to amplify their message and build a global coalition for animal rights. 

Read the interview on our website [https://thepollinationproject.org] 

@global_animal_law_gal
#Animalrights #animalprotection #animallaw #animalactivism #animalwelfare #AnimalHealth #HumanHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #OneHealth