On May 7th, Levani Lipton '92, Executive Director of the Ananda Foundation, an international development organization, delivered to two classes of seniors enrolled in the English elective Philosophical Literature a presentation entitled "Global Homes." Her visit was under the aegis of the 'Iolani Peace Institute and Philosophical Literature (Ms. Lipton took the same course at Iolani in 1991).
In a fascinating photo essay, Ms. Lipton used the concept of building a home as a metaphor for building one's life. She showed students photos she took herself out in the field visiting poor villages in India, Kenya, and Peru. Students learned a great deal about the many ways people create homes to provide for themselves and learned that most of what we in America have in our homes would be considered luxuries, not necessities. As an example, she showed that for the cost of one iPod, two children in countries like the ones she serves can receive schooling, nutritious food, and medical care for an entire year, which amazed the students in attendance. 
In many countries around the world, the Ananda Foundation starts, finances through microcredit loans, or logistically supports projects that provide the world's poor basic needs such as food, clean water, medical care, and education. Rather than handing these out, they help people develop the means to provide these things for themselves. Ms. Lipton told the seniors, who were joined by one class of Creative Writing students that also included juniors, "You have a choice. Everyday people can make a difference. Become aware and informed and then you can take action. Learn that we are all connected. The issues out there will not disappear, but little things we do can make a big difference. And always have hope, hope that you can step outside yourself. Live your life with purpose, with intent." She made frequent reference to Gandhi's famous exhortation to "be the change you wish to see in the world." With her infectious smile, her down-to-earth personality, and her obvious passion for her altruistic work, Ms. Lipton inspired many students, some of home later wrote that by the time class was over they felt as if they wanted to go out to the places she visited and start helping people right away.
The next day, May 8th, three days before her planned departure for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she will speak on "Children and HIV" to the World Forum Foundation Conference, Ms. Lipton also gave a presentation to the entire eighth grade. She spoke about two Ethiopian children whom the Iolani eighth grade will continue to sponsor (the sponsorship began in 2005) and even showed pictures of the two children wearing Iolani t-shirts. She also told inspiring stories of Abel and Wonderson, two boys who have worked their way through the Ethiopian education system. Wonderson is contributing to his community as a nurse, and Ms. Lipton reminded the audience how important it is to give back to humanity no matter how hard one's own life has been. She also talked about what we can all do to make a difference in this world: volunteer, write a letter to an orphan (it means a tremendous amount to such children); conduct more bake sales, for example, to raise money; and find a way always to have fun while raising money. Led by History teacher Mrs. Kimi Frith, the eighth grade also presented Ms. Lipton with a check for over $2000 which will be used to buy school supplies for child laborers in India and to continue sponsorship of Tigist and Sintahyu, the two Ethiopian children.
At 'Iolani, a student club called Club Ananda has been in operation for three years now in support of the Ananda Foundation. The club, among other things, collects and assembles packets of school supplies and toiletries for children in the countries served around the world by Ms. Lipton's foundation. Anyone interested in more information about the club should e-mail Mr. Peter Greenhill at pgreenhi@iolani.org. For more information about the Ananda Foundation, please visit www.anandafoundation.org and http://bethechangeananda.blogspot.com.
