Early on |
For the first few years of operation (2008-2013), the mission of Giveable Giggles was centered around kids helping kids. We did this by setting up personalized programs that promoted laughter and interaction. By partnering and collaborating with local organizations we ran volunteer-cultural exchange-leadership trips to Jordan (2009), Israel (2009), Uganda (2010), Argentina (2012) and Ecuador (2013). Our volunteers came from around the world (e.g. Venezuela, South Africa, USA, Spain, Canada, Sweden) and when on site, they identified the needs of the community in order to create programs. Some activities included: English education, theater performances, organized sporting events, birthday parties and arts & crafts.
After the trip to Ecuador, Steinberg decided to take a step back from that particular model. She was suddenly uncomfortable running a program that seemed to benefit the volunteers more than the locals they set out to visit. In other words, she was weary of volunteer-tourism. |
recent past |
Steinberg spoke to various non-profit leaders and entrepreneurs who influenced her next few steps. She spent two months in India (2014) doing site selection in hope of creating a "Giveable Giggles village." This would be a place with programs running throughout the entire year, led by a local facilitator.
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currently |
Not too convinced on the field sites in India, Steinberg returned to the drawing boards. She went to Fujian, China (2015) and unexpectedly came up with an entirely new business model. Rather unconventional and out of the norm of the macro focus of the non-profit world. Her biggest concern was sticking true to her personal and professional values.
Creating a mission that is achievable, and a vision that is feasible. We are not trying to generalize in order to reach the masses. In fact, we appreciate diversity and difference, and we value individuality. Steinberg realized we must contextualize. This is where the idea of the power of one comes into play. She thought, "Giveable Giggles was founded around passion, and I want that to feed back into the organization." It started with one and will be passed on to one. Thus, the new framework became working with individuals to pursue their passions in order to achieve their goals. When each individual reaches his/her goal, their subjectivity is up to themselves and nobody else. Both long-term and short-term impact can be measured and recognized. |
past partners |
Ashoka, Free The Children & Me to We, Endeavor, Yachana,Save a Child’s Heart, Elem, Connect123, Palestinian Refugee Camp Ruwwad, AMIA, Gramothan India Foundation, Peitian Hakka Cultural Center, YPO/WPO and YNG+
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