October 2008 Winner
DREAM VILLAGE: Kids Books with a Socially Responsible Twist
Thanks to all who voted. You can keep track of our progress at: http://www.dream-village.org. For those "blobbers" looking for advice, support, or feedback on future efforts, we look forward to hearing from you and are happy to help.
Q1: CONTENT SUGGESTIONS OR FEEDBACK: Do you have any suggestions on topics we should consider or organizations we should evaluate? As we mentioned, we have one book close to completed, and two other books in progress, but we are always looking to build up our pipeline.
Idea Description
A series of children’s books that relate true stories about children who overcame difficult environmental, economic, or social challenges. For example, the first book tells how the children in a small village in Mozambique helped the village overcome its need for a dependable water source. These stories raise awareness/empathy for less-privileged people around the world, and encourage proactive efforts to make the world a better place. DV raises money for innovative charitable organizations, & enables child readers to experience the fulfillment that comes from making a difference. WHAT IS OUR INSPIRATION? A VIDEO WE CREATED TWO SUMMERS AGO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=191Fg0JC14E
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
$10k will position us to develop actual products which can then be used to attract new funding & launch our next 2 books (in progress). We are done researching & analyzing. We have a full business plan & our 1st nonprofit partner is on board (PlayPumps International). The 1st book has been written & storyboarded and the web portal has been sketched.
> $6,500: Printing & selling our first 1,000 books which will generate at least $5k in charitable donations.
> $3,500: Developing a beta version of the DV Web Portal.
We think our project is differentiated because it has been market tested and is ready to launch. This $10k from ideablob will produce real products with real impact.
You like it. You’re confused by it. You want to know more. Ask questions and post comments here.
Post a commentThis is totally sweet! Congratulations! I invite you to check out an idea that I'm taking a year off school to work on in the education space: http://ideablob.com/ideas/3975-Bring-the-power-of-the-web-and- . I'd love to hear your advice as someone working in education if you have the time. Thanks!
hey man, just watched your video of you speaking at netimpact. good work. props. looking forward to seeing the final product. in regard to water check out www.charitywater.org
I hope you're not as anxious as I am because this is definitely nerve-racking :) I wanted to talk to you about the collaboration I mentioned...you can email me at nsaar@stay-true.org. Hopefully talk to you soon!
So that means, you may have to adjust your total number of votes down by subtracting the total votes you received in the first round (the sprint). I'd still assume you guys pulled this out, but I'm just wondering if you beat us by 3/400, or 50/100 (frankly, the 3/400 would feel SO much better). :)
Hey isaar, I was asked by the folks at Ideablob to take down our point totals even though they were listed as preliminary. As you know, since you shared as well, we did receive 1454 total votes (when you subtract the votes we got in the first round to get in, which weren't counted in this last round of voting). I think it's only fair you know that since you shared, as well.
Suneet, I know! All of our supporters are getting very eager to hear the results. In response to your comment, I posted our total according to the Ideablob website. I can't tell you how much I respect and appreciate your attitude throughout the competition. We should definitely talk more about a collaboration, and I wish you all the best.
Thanks for clarifying, Will, and thanks for taking the time to call me and to explain the process. Good luck with the audit process this weekend! It sounds very exciting. :)
This is a wonderful idea! R. Garcia
I agree! I think STAY TRUE may even be able to help sponsor a book, maybe dealing with the type of activism and social engagement we hope to see out of our students. Again, hats off to you and all that you are doing. Best of luck!
Amy, thanks so much!!! And count us in for an interview!!
Agreed, Isaar. I think we'll find a way to partner. I love Philadelphia. I'm there frequently, and I'll reach out during my next visit. We've talked with some friends about having high school kids read these books to elementary schoolers. I think that's something we can work on with you as well. Good luck! You've had a wicked comeback!!! (Though I think it was just your strategy to keep us off balance! :) )
I'll vote for it AND blog about it! Please ping me in the aftermath to do an interview on Shaping Youth where we deal with media and marketing's impact on kids. This is exactly the type of project we feel "uses the power of media for positive change" (we're doing some work embedding meaningful messages in virtual worlds right now and some counter-marketing games) This fits nicely with a series I've already written on seeding philanthropy and "marketing mindfulness" ---Here's a sample post: http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=835 Good Luck! ---Amy Jussel Founder/Exec. Dir. www.ShapingYouth.org
I'm not at all offended. The truth is you both have AMAZING ideas. As an inner-city public school teacher, I can't tell you how many times I wished I had books that could serve the double purpose of teaching literacy and social consciousness. I wish you the best of luck and I would love to collaborate in some way in the future. All the best...STAY TRUE
Good Luck Dream Village!! If I Have to loose I hope its to YOU!! AVP-The Push Hogg
Great idea- good luck!! (Send thanks to your friend Alex for giving me a heads up to your idea)
We absolutely will. We're looking for a variety of ways to promote this, but our focus right now is on trying to win this $10k. It positions us for some great things over the long-term...from credibility with publishers and printers to potential celebrity participation. I mean that sincerely. If you've got any ideas, send me an email: suneet@socialsymmetry.com . Otherwise, we could definitely use your help getting out the vote. Thanks for checking us out.
Sounds really interesting...I would love to see this develop into something bigger. Any ideas on how you would advertise this outside of IdeaBlog? Im sure there are some bigger Ad Agencies that would want to pick something like this up...something that is new and morally correct. Keep me posted.
Great stuff guys.. Good Luck.. Let me know if you need help on the portal side..
Great idea. I love the use of real-life examples to not only introduce the idea of social responsibility at a young age, but to educate kids about the world that exists beyond the limited range of their personal experience. It is not hard to imagine that, if done well and embraced on a large scale, Dream Village could have a lasting, positive impact on a generation of children. Good luck!
Amy, Thanks much for your vote and for the link. I did see that segment on Oprah but in all the buzz and commotion, I haven't had the chance to connect with them. You've inspired us to reach back out and focus on them once again. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks!
Elaine! Great to hear from you. Thanks so much for your post. I will say that Fresno has grown close to my heart after hearing Carissa's story. We are analyzing a number of stories featuring domestic issues. I would like to see Fresno featured as one of those stories. Thank you for your comments and for your support. Good luck Elaine! (And please let us know how things are going!)
Suneet! Hi! Sent you a link via email, you need to watch the Oprah segment on Children Changing the World, maybe you can get one of these organization to write a book with you. They have clubs set up all over the country.
Teaching social responsibility in youth is vital Suneet. I'm not at all surprised that you are on the cutting edge of this discussion. As you know, the children in Fresno, CA are the perfect candidates for this innovation. Thank you for your efforts.
Hi Suneet: Thanks for your suggestion that we should partner: I just had an idea after reading your description again. Perhaps if Dream Village yet has an illustrator lined-up, then Kiba Kiba Books (www.kibakiba.org) could help with that part? Just a suggestion. Let's connect more about it over email. Looking forward to discussing the possibilities. :)
sadalal, thanks for taking the time to read this and comment. More importantly, thanks for using "^" instead of the word you wanted to use. We feel the same way you do about the power of this project. We're happy we gave this a try because the feedback overall has been tremendous too, and it's really validated our efforts.
With all of the video games and other "****" that is out there for kids, it is refreshing to see an idea that wants to teach kids something good and redeeming. Teaching kids to be socially aware and feeling that they can and should do something to help better the world they live can never start to early. Good luck with this bub.
Thank for your post
flbyu: Thanks for your post! We'd love any help at all in getting the word out about this project. There are some amazing projects on here in general, so we'll need all of the help we can get to push this project over the top. If you want to get a hold of me directly, my email's posted under my profile (I believe you just click on my name).
jesss45: Thanks for your feedback and post. It's encouraging to hear that people would actually consider buying this. The standard post of "it's a good idea" is always a welcome site, but hearing about purchase decisions is just that much more helpful.
goodsona: Thanks for your post and for getting involved in these types of things while in high school. It's unbelievable to have your perspective. If you have an interest in finding new things to do, I recommend checking out this site: www.dosomething.org . You are their target market and I think you'll love their website. Thanks for your feedback. If you have anything else to share, please do. We welcome it!
NOW THIS IS A UNIQUE IDEA! can possibly help you promote this to get more votes! GOOD LUCK!
I think this is a wonderful idea! Its a contemporary topic that kids are learning in school. If I were a parent (not trying to be one anytime soon), I'd want my child to be environmentally conscious! Im in full support : )
I am a student still in high school and i see kids everyday looking for new things and seeing things going on in our environment. The kids that i see also wish to help out and make a difference in our environment. so i think that this would be a good idea in getting children and young adults into this and teaching them and letting them decide on how to help out there environment. this is a great idea and i as a kid would love to support this idea.
Deepika, thanks for your post. The books as of now, are tageting 6-9/10 year olds though we think they may work downstream a bit (based on the children and the parents), or upstream (since they'll be so beautifully illustrated/photgraphed, the books will make a great coffee table feature). We also will end each story with hope and optimism. We'll be telling the stories in a way that highlight the issue and then show how people came together (assisted by a featured nonprofit organization) to fix the problem. We'll then show the transformation that took place. The goal is to end with hope and optimism, but also a feeling of empowerment--we want the kids who read these books to feel as if they can do something about the problem. That's why we let them tell us where to donate the proceeds from…more the purchase of that book.
Priya, thanks for your post. I've done some work with GlobalGiving who has partnered with PlayPumps to help them raise funds. When everything started coming together, it became obvious that PlayPumps should be that first story. We are happy that they were so receptive.
CosmicDahl, I did see your project and I love the approach you're taking. I think we've both decided to focus on getting children engaged and involved. Thanks for taking the time to check out our link and I wish you luck as well. The beauty of this space is that there is tremendous room and huge market for groups approaching it altruistically. Most of the books you see now have an agenda or a specific slant. I think there are more than enough stories to tell that would be more universally accepted--if some people don't have access to water, there's really no two ways about it. Good luck. I'll be keeping tabs on how you're doing. I'd also love to chat with you more direclty. I'm sure we can learn a lot from each other: suneet@socialsymmetry.com .
StueyFresh, thanks for the pre-order. We'll keep you in mind. I promise.
I really like the idea. Its a way to shape the future. This is particularly good as a way to connect with developing nations because not everyone has access to education. However, comics, stories and tv make their way to almost everyone thesedays. I am wondering, though - who your target audience is. Are the books for 7-8 year olds, 10-12 year olds, or early teens? Next, who is purchasing the books? If the children are, you will need to make these books seem "cool" so they desire them. As for attracting parents - social responsibility has to be something they also think about to at least some degree to make them want to teach their kids. As for using graphic images and strong language - if you write "sad" stories, I am not sure if you will have an audience. T…morehey will have to end with optimism and hope. But, I really like this idea - a good way to educate!
TIming on this idea is just right. There is a natural shift as a result of a special cause (Financial Bailout) for us to be more respectful to the resources available to us. Your idea provides us with a systemic win-win approach in taking small steps in increasing postive awareness about our role in making a difference. Also I like the interactive approach that allows kids to learn and apply the lessons by taking a collaborative approach. Together we can make a difference. Truly, as Adults, we learn our simple and practical lessons from kids.
This is a fantastic idea. I think it will be a great eye-opener for children while at the same time allowing them to take action as they see fit. While I love the children's books I grew up with, this would have been a wonderful addition. How did you guys come up with your first nonprofit?
Wow, our proposed ideas are VERY similar! Good luck with yours.:) I have three books coming out in December and have learned so much in the process of what it takes to publish, market, distribute, etc. I just started my business and website two months ago (www.kibakiba.org) and am looking for seed money as well to print and create even more books. It's so exciting. If you have a chance, please check out my idea: http://ideablob.com/ideas/3407-Kiba-Kiba-Book s-Illustrated-b ...and THANK YOU for your vote, comments, advice! :)
I'd like to preorder 1 book.
Thanks Will Robinson. I agree that there are a number of books out there that discuss social lessons. We will have to do a lot to differentiate ourselves and prove our value--but I think we have addressed some of this. Our approach is markedly different however, as we will discuss social/environmental issues (access to water, poverty, education), and we will tell them from the perspective of a child affected by these issues (a child in africa without water, a child in rural america or the inner city who are forced to visit sub-par schools with below average resources). We use feature real stories and real issues being addressed by real organizations--this allows us to use actual photos coupled with illustrations to make the story more "real". Finally, we give the child the opport…moreunity to do something about it: to learn more (by interacting with our Website), to recognize the value and impact of making donations (by allocating the proceeds of our book), and to take further action and organize friends, classmates and family members to do even more to support the causes featured in each book. Thanks for your post, and we welcome all the comments and feedback we can get!
I love the idea. Start kids off at a very early age learning about social responsibility and how to make positive social and environmental change, brilliant.