bobjots : redux

I’m turning 35 this Saturday (July 18) and I found this nifty application in Facebook that allows me to promote a cause and solicit for donations to that cause for my birthday. Unfortunately, the application only works for 501(c)(3) non-profit organisations registered in the United States and not many organisations working in Malaysia have the benefit of having US based affiliates that can help raise funds on their behalf.

One of the few would be World Vision Malaysia and that became my charity of choice with the Facebook app. As promised in my message appended to the app, here’s a longer list of organisations that I support and hope you folks out there will be able to support to.

Facebook Birthday Wish

• World Vision Malaysia
  World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Education

• JUST Kids / Mentari Project
  JUST Kids Project is a voluntary tuition program for less than fortunate primary students. Seeding program starts at the Desa Mentari Flats in PJS4, Petaling Jaya, but it is hoped that the project can be expanded in the future.I am personally not sure if they are soliciting for funds but they are definitely looking for volunteers.

Human Services

• Habitat for Humanity, Malaysia
  Affordable and accessible housing remains a major problem for Malaysians and Habitat helps meet this need by building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.

Public Advocacy

• The Micah Mandate
  The Micah Mandate started in May 2008 as a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility. With the amount of negative propaganda on both sides of the social and political divide, reconciliatory voices and constructive options to move forward as a nation are often drowned out. This is where The Micah Mandate hopes to make a difference.

  I have been involved with their work right from the beginning and would like to see the potential of this work expanded.

  If you’d like to make a credit card donation over a secure connection (processed by PayPal), please click here.

Personal

• My Education Fund
  Hehe .. I guess a little plug might be necessary for this one (and do note that its right at the bottom .. so the priority for this appeal would rank appropriately as well). Some of you may be aware that I am finally heading back to school after a break of about 15 years.

  The costs may come up to about RM 40,000 and I am currently digging into my EPF savings to help pay for the costs.

  I am currently taking up 2 programmes, a Bachelor of Technology degree from Wawasan Open University and the Cambridge International Diploma in Training & Teaching. I am also helping to pay for my wife’s college fees for her Diploma in Fashion Retailing from Ashworth College (which the EPF will not pay for).

  So if you feel that you might want to help defray some of the costs as a birthday gift, I’d be extremely grateful.

  Online donations via credit card over a secure connection (processed by PayPal) can be made here.

I’d like to say thanks in advance and perhaps suggest this as an exercise for those of you who blog to consider when your birthday comes around. You don’t really need that new iPhone, do you?

Incidentally, if you belong to a non-profit organisation and would like to consider options for getting an online donation / payment system set up, I might have an affordable solution for you with a local provider. Do get in touch with me if you are interested.