PART OF THE SOLUTION PEOPLE
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YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LIVE BY EXAMPLE
circa 2014. 'The ability to act on optimism and independent ideas in the face of increasing opposition takes immense perseverance and courage. Living on the road however, it seems you can't help but meet incredible men and women of action and independence at every turn. Conscious that people are always strongest when united, Part of the Solution People serves as a platform for the stories of young people I met on the road, who demonstrated the admirable potential we all have to act independently towards a good cause. They had an idea, applied their values to their lives and dedicated their actions to positive change. This is a power we all share.' |
⫷ KASIA TONS ⫸
THE GIRL WHO WORE ONE DRESS FOR A YEAR
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△ WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE THIS PROJECT? It's only retrospectively that I can see why I began this project. At the time it was purely instigated on gut feeling and the urge to simplify life and be wholesome, which for me meant going to the extreme of getting rid of all my clothes and embroidering every day. But later I saw that it was also a reaction against my time working in fashion and the problems I saw and still see in consumerism and the ongoing issue of textiles and clothing contributing to a very high percentage of land fill. I think it's something like 11 million tonnes annually, which really is totally unnecessary. △ EVEN TODAY, THIS IS SUCH A NEW, BRAVE THING TO DO AS A WOMAN. WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE THIS IDEA A REALITY? When I began wearing the dress I was living at the Mangrove Yoga Ashram, a place where wearing certain colours signifies your position on the spiritual path. The colours worn are white, yellow and orange, and being a resident I was encouraged to wear white. It was the right environment to embark on a project like this. If I was trying to hold down a 'normal job' it may have been more of a challenge. |
△ WHAT REACTIONS HAVE YOU HAD FROM OTHERS?
The reactions I had to the dress were really positive and it was interesting because through constantly explaining it to others and answering questions, I came to understand why, in fact, I was doing it, and I think, aside from the act of wearing one garment for a year, the other aspect; the discipline of embroidering something everyday inspired people because they were able to see what can happen when you do something every day for a year.. an amazing journal grows! It's a great discipline and also a challenge with unexpected results.
△ COULD YOU SHARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU TOOK & LEARNT FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?
'I learnt why I had the urge to wear one dress for a year without understanding it initially. It turned an instinctive feeling into a deep understanding of how my time in fashion had affected me creatively and emotionally. It taught/ re-affirmed the importance of acting on ideas or urges and seeing them though to the end, but it also taught me that a simple stitch can be a reminder of a time, a memory or an event and these can be used as storytelling aids, as is one of the historical uses of decorative textiles.
I believe we often have these urges to incite action as a means to discover something more about ourselves or others, it's just acting on your ideas that takes the strength.
Learn more about Kasia:
http://kasiatons.blogspot.com.au/
⫷ PIERRE LE CORF ⫸
TRAVELLING THE WORLD TO SHARE THE STORIES OF ORDINARY HEROES
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△ WHY, HOW AND WHAT LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT PATH? 'We all have a story. battles, dreams, failures, life tips to share. I invested everything I owned and went across the world to meet the ordinary heroes in 20 countries for 16 months with the aim of giving value to these stories, aiding knowledge through media, and with a little luck, inspiring people every day.' △ THIS IS QUITE THE LIFE PURSUIT. COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT UNDERSTANDINGS YOUR PASSIONS STEM FROM? 'All these stories are not only life stories, it is knowledge acquired through experiences of every person, in every country. This is essential knowledge for us and future generations. Since we were children, our education has been conditioned by experiences and through the influences of our own parents, themselves taught by their parents who formalised their world view through their life experiences and that of their parents. An infinite and ongoing process. |
This project has no affiliation with regard to race, religion or social status. This is a study of human beings. I am convinced of one thing, which also motivates the risks I take every day in certain countries: I think the greatest evils of the society in which we live, poverty, war, loneliness etc. depend on a more complex mechanisms exclusively based on the perception we have of the other. If we get to know and try to understand each other, our cultures, choices and backgrounds, I am convinced that this could impact our global and human relationships, with regards to empathy and solidarity benefitting positive social change.'
△ WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS PROJECT?
'This is to recognise that we have much to learn from each other and can not be limited by appearances, as we are all students and teachers and humans, regardless the way we perceive each others lives. Indeed, I discovered a common disease in all human beings; a lack of self confidence. What is quite funny is that 95% of people I meet and ask to tell me their stories say I should look for someone else, for their own story is not of great interest, when it's actually every mans story that makes the world what it is. My story inspires you, your story inspires me, it's because our experiences differ, that our eyes meet.'
△ COULD YOU SHARE A FEW EXAMPLE OF THE STORIES YOU'VE COLLECTED ON YOUR TRAVELS?
'Sure, but let it be known that I do not judge the stories, choices or ideologies of those I interview, I only transcribe verbatim I hear from the people I meet. Do not be surprised in the future to find the story of someone who has committed murder, for example, or someone wanting to welcome the aliens on earth. However, I deleted the texts advocating an ideology, violence, political parties etc.'
Here are a few examples of the stories I have collected: - The story of a woman who defied the mafia in the USSR
- The story of a 9 year-old crippled boy who had to crawl for weeks without a wheelchair after the death of his parents
- A hippie tells of his fight against cancer and drugs
- A young soldier mobilised in Gaza lives to change the lives of children affected by the bombs
- A member of the Yakuza tells why three fingers must be offered to get out of the organisation
- A beautiful woman shares her fears about becoming a man
- The survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb speaks about becoming a nuclear physicist
△ WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?
'All the people I've had the chance to meet were astounded that someone was interested in their lives and their history. The people whose stories I share on social networks, receive from their friends and others dozens of thoughtful messages. I love that I have helped others help others by helping others. I consider this adventure to be my university, the best university in the world. I have had the chance to meet hundreds of teachers every month. To pay this tuition, obviously some funds have been necessary, but more than anything ,courage, good will, love and above all, real openness has been my enabler.'
You can view the stories Pierre has travelled to collect and learn more about him at:
http://wearesuperheroes.fr/
Support Pierre at:
https://www.facebook.com/heroesworldtour?_rdr=p
△ WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS PROJECT?
'This is to recognise that we have much to learn from each other and can not be limited by appearances, as we are all students and teachers and humans, regardless the way we perceive each others lives. Indeed, I discovered a common disease in all human beings; a lack of self confidence. What is quite funny is that 95% of people I meet and ask to tell me their stories say I should look for someone else, for their own story is not of great interest, when it's actually every mans story that makes the world what it is. My story inspires you, your story inspires me, it's because our experiences differ, that our eyes meet.'
△ COULD YOU SHARE A FEW EXAMPLE OF THE STORIES YOU'VE COLLECTED ON YOUR TRAVELS?
'Sure, but let it be known that I do not judge the stories, choices or ideologies of those I interview, I only transcribe verbatim I hear from the people I meet. Do not be surprised in the future to find the story of someone who has committed murder, for example, or someone wanting to welcome the aliens on earth. However, I deleted the texts advocating an ideology, violence, political parties etc.'
Here are a few examples of the stories I have collected: - The story of a woman who defied the mafia in the USSR
- The story of a 9 year-old crippled boy who had to crawl for weeks without a wheelchair after the death of his parents
- A hippie tells of his fight against cancer and drugs
- A young soldier mobilised in Gaza lives to change the lives of children affected by the bombs
- A member of the Yakuza tells why three fingers must be offered to get out of the organisation
- A beautiful woman shares her fears about becoming a man
- The survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb speaks about becoming a nuclear physicist
△ WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?
'All the people I've had the chance to meet were astounded that someone was interested in their lives and their history. The people whose stories I share on social networks, receive from their friends and others dozens of thoughtful messages. I love that I have helped others help others by helping others. I consider this adventure to be my university, the best university in the world. I have had the chance to meet hundreds of teachers every month. To pay this tuition, obviously some funds have been necessary, but more than anything ,courage, good will, love and above all, real openness has been my enabler.'
You can view the stories Pierre has travelled to collect and learn more about him at:
http://wearesuperheroes.fr/
Support Pierre at:
https://www.facebook.com/heroesworldtour?_rdr=p
⫷ ALICE VERALL ⫸
HIKING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE ORGANISATION THAT GAVE HER A BEST FRIEND
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△ TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF My name is Alice Verall and I’m 25 years old. I have cerebral palsy which means I have trouble walking on uneven surfaces, going up and down stairs, writing and my speech can also be a struggle. I live in Panton Hill on a hobby farm with my mum and dad. I have two older sisters and am currently studying at La Trobe University in Bundoora for a Bachelor of Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology.) In 2009 I started attending TAFE at Swinburne University in Lilydale where I completed two diplomas – one in Conservation and Land Management and another in Sustainability. I've been a student for most of my life. I made my life goals and dreams a reality, with hard work, a lot of determination and the right support people around me, like the help of an Aide who helps me with note taking. △ WHAT LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT PASSION AND INSPIRED YOU TO FUNDRAISE? In 2014 I was introduced to the 'Cro Mo Magnum Trike' which changed my life , but it wasn't until 2011 that my mum started looking for a suitable dog as a companion for me and we came across 'Assistance Dogs Australia'. 'Assistance Dogs Australia' are a national charity that trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to perform everyday tasks for people with disabilities. ADA provides support to people with disabilities such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and mental health disorders such as PTSD. The assistance dogs themselves increase the individual's independence, reduce reliance on human care givers and act as a general ice-breaker to help overcome social isolation. Kooper is my companion dog trained by ADA. Because Kooper is perfectly trained, I can look after him. He can pick things up that I drop and he has a security bark, so if I'm in danger he can alert people. I also feel more stable on my feet when I'm walking with Kooper. Pure and simply, with all the love and companionship that Kooper has brought to my life I wanted to give back to the organisation. |
△ SHARE WITH US SOME OF YOUR ADVENTURES SO FAR & WHERE YOU ARE GOING NEXT?
In November 2014, with the help of a carer, I travelled from Melbourne through Gippsland and up the eastern coast of NSW to Sydney. Then I went to Newcastle for the Anzac Day weekend with another carer, raising awareness for Assistance Dogs Australia.
Recently I have travelled Central Australia, going from Adelaide to Alice Springs (with the help of another carer paid by Lifestyle Centered Services.) and after arriving back home for a few days break, I then headed off to Mildura to explore the amazing Mallee Region National Parks with another carer.
My next adventure will be to Tasmania as I've never been there but always wanted to, as studying conservation made me realise just how many of our plants and animals sadly now only exist in Tassie.
△ WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU MET SO FAR?
It's all been a challenge, my parents have been a little slow to support me but I've had great support from friends. Finding good people to act as a carer for my trips has given me a lot of grief however, as a lot of people just want to use me for a free holiday and are dishonest in regards to what they can help me with, like saying "I can ride bikes," when they can't and they don't understand I can't do things because of my disability.
△ WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL?
To raise $27,000 for Assistance Dogs Aus. and further my knowledge of the natural environment. I’ve already raised over $5000 but it takes $27000 to raise just one assistance dog. I am now always planning new and exciting trips away to continue to explore this amazing country of ours and to continue raising money for ADA. My next planned trip will see me travelling around Tasmania and then up to Fraser Island on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. I also plan to go to Cairns and the far North of Queensland and then across to Darwin and Broome next Summer. After that I’m planning to head across the Nullarbor to Perth. The following Winter I’m also going to explore the Pacific and after I finish my current degree, I’m planning to go overseas. It's amazing what I've achieved against the odds so far, all I can say to others is NEVER give up, ALWAYS believe in yourself and your amazing capabilities, KEEP dreaming and planning and SURROUND yourself with people that believe in you and your dreams – no matter how hard or impossible they may seem to achieve.
Happy Learning and thanks for listening!!! I hope your lives can be as adventurous as mine!!!
To learn more about and support this incredible young woman here:
https://www.facebook.com/alicesrides/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/alicesrides/