In the Summer of 2016, the founder of PulseBandz decided to take a month long trip to Thailand to see a different part of the world. After going through the culture shock and seeing how different everything is compared to the U.S, there was a part of him that wanted to help out all over the globe.Being in mid-planning of starting his own business, PulseBandz, he wanted to use that to help. And coming up with an idea after another, came The Change.
There are seven different colored bands and seven continents, therefore each continent gets a little help from PulseBandz. After much research and searching, all the organizations were found that the company decided to donate to.
When a customer purchases a band, 5% of the profit goes to the organization in the continent that the colored band correlates to. So not only are we trying to make a change by promoting a healthy lifestyle, but also around the globe. One step at a time. See which part of the world you’re helping out when purchasing a PulseBandz!
Who They Are: Exceptional Minds (EM) is a nonprofit vocational school and working studio that prepares young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in digital animation and visual effects.
What They Do: The first and only school of its kind, EM is a dynamic answer to the high unemployment and social isolation characteristic of today’s young adults with ASD as they age out of the public school system. They provide customized instruction in visual effects and digital animation along with a work readiness curriculum to prepare this under served population for lifelong careers. Their full-time, three-year vocational program offers a crucial bridge between high school and meaningful employment by building on the strengths of these individuals.
Who They Are: Project Favela is an organization that has created an educational program to help educate children in Rio De Janiero, Brazil.
What They Do: Most children in the favela drop out of public school due to boredom and lack of individual attention, so we intend to solve this problem by using a tech-based curriculum where education is personalized and gamified. Moreover, we will combine the STEM courses with our existing “Fazedores” maker-space program so that the students apply their scientific knowledge and social skills to build unique projects. With the help of your funding, Project Favela will invest into the hardware and software technology that supports this type of learning. In addition, they will invest into bringing local STEM University students to come and work full-time in the Project.
Who They Are: Samos Volunteers is an independent group of volunteers who initially came together in the autumn of 2015 in response to the refugee crisis.
What They Do: The initiative evolved when individuals started supporting local residents in Samos who had come together to provide emergency assistance to refugees arriving by boat. From the beginning, our work has been a collaboration of people on the ground in Samos and people working from their homes in other countries. They endeavor to aid through the distribution of non-food items (clothes and hygiene), systematically identifying and fulfilling the needs of new arrivals and vulnerable people, and sustaining educational and recreational activities for both children and adults.
Who They Are: RIPPLE Africa was founded in 2003 by Geoff and Liz Furber while traveling through Malawi. Although the charity began with humble roots, employing just a handful of Malawian staff and welcoming a few overseas volunteers to help, it wasn’t long before the needs of the community meant that RIPPLE Africa began to expand, growing one project at a time into the charity it is now.
What They Do: Although RIPPLE Africa has three aspects of their charity, environmental is what PulseBandz is focusing on. Malawi is one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world, with 95% of the population relying on wood or charcoal for cooking. However, cooking on inefficient traditional open fires daily leads to serious repercussions including smoke-related illnesses, burns, economic hardship, as well as the destruction of the natural environment on which millions of Malawians depend. RIPPLE Africa’s fuel-efficient cookstove provides a simple and culturally appropriate alternative to the traditional three-stone fire most commonly used in developing countries. Called the Changu Changu Moto each stove is made from local, easily accessible materials. This assists in counteracting the alarming rate of deforestation by substantially reducing the need for fuel-wood by two-thirds.
Who They Are: The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on protects Antarctica and all the animals, land, and oceans it has to offer.
What They Do: ASOC works to protect a vast area of nature: both the continent of Antarctica as well as its surrounding Southern Ocean. These areas are home to a vast number of fantastic species, including krill, penguins, whales, seals, glass sponges, and even colossal squid. Despite Antarctica’s remoteness, these species are still vulnerable to human-caused changes to their environment, including climate change and fishing. ASOC seeks to ensure that Antarctic marine and terrestrial environments receive the highest protection possible so that Antarctica will continue to be pristine. We believe that the designation of marine and terrestrial protected areas will offer the best protection for a fragile polar environment.
