So, this leaves us thinking, how do we usually define a community?  Most would say that it is a group of individuals that share a geographic locale, or religious, or political point of view.  Sometimes a community can be defined as a group of people who share a heritage.  But what about a group of individuals who share the same name, can they become a community?  Chip Conley, one of the many wonderful speakers at Bootcamp and the CEO and Founder of Joie de Vivre seemed to think so.  In an effort to foster community building, he and his team threw a “Joy Party” at Joie de Vivre, inviting 10,000 people named Joy from throughout California to attend.  Regardless of ethnic or socio-economic background, these Joys bonded and became, in a sense, a community.  So what about the rest of us, how else can we define a community?   Could we form a global community of parents, or people with red hair or even a community of those who have ever been left out of a game on the playground at school?    Can we truly become global citizens and look beyond the artificial constructs of “community”, to feel connected to someone half way across the world who is seemingly unlike us.   A 30 year old mother of 4 living in the city of San Francisco may not have anything in common with a 30 year old mother of 4 in a village in Cambodia, at first glance.  But when you look past the obvious  differences, you can see that both women want to provide their children with the best resources and opportunities possible.  So can a mother in San Francisco, CA, USA  feel connected to a mother in Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh, Cambodia?  Mira thinks that yes, they can.  In fact, we all can.  So if you want to redefine your community to include Joys, or students, or individuals with freckles  – just make sure you take a truly global perspective.

For a sneak peak into an action packed community of social entrepreneurs, take a look at our pictures from the Craigslist Foundation Bootcamp this past weekend.  Cheers!

Now, what can those $10 do for a child in a developing country?
30 notebooks or 2 text books
A school uniform, pens and pencils
Lunch for 10 children
2 bed nets that can prevent fatal disease
10 USD can also partially cover the cost of roof repairs, mattresses and labor to build new school and dorm facilities.
In developing Asia, it costs between $50-$100 to send a child to school, and this includes the costs of textbooks, school fees, transportation and food!!!
Other countless goods and services that will enable a disadvantaged child to realize their right to education

Let’s face it, $10.00 (or even $10.24) can have a significant impact on a life of a child in a developing country. So the next time you reach for a morning latte and a muffin, consider donating that same amount to a child or a school in need. Please visit www.mirascholars.org to learn more about global philanthropy.