Colombian Children in the Niños Trabajadores program, one of IPM’s project partners

Children suffering from Cerebral Palsy in Kenya are given an opportunity to learn computer skills and tailoring.

Impoverished and visually impaired women in Palestine are able to learn Braille, Arabic, and English and earn a high school diploma.

Teenagers in Nicaragua, forced to work during the day to support their families, have the chance to complete their studies at night.

These are just three of the global projects that International Partners in Mission has supported over the last 40 years.

For four decades, IPM has reached the far corners of the world from its home in Cleveland Heights. Last year alone, the organization helped 60,000 people by providing financial support, tech assistance, and training opportunities in 20 countries.

One way they do this is through Immersion Experience travel programs. The Immersion Experience goes beyond the traditional service project by focusing on a person-to-person exchange. As IPM explains on its site:

By meeting and living with individuals from across our global community, participants provide the greatest service there is – being present to listen and learn from their hosts. Participants’ roles are to share their compassion and to share themselves. By exposing the past and current socio-political conditions from a variety of perspectives, IPM Immersion Experiences allow participants to learn from our local friends what faith means to them, how their programs develop and improve their community, and about the local culture while taking in the sights, sounds, and foods of the country.

To mark its 40th anniversary, IPM is bringing their project partners and national and international experts to Cleveland for a week’s worth of panels, luncheons and dinner events for the public to enjoy.

IPM’s inaugural General Assembly week will take place October 13-17 and feature talks by individuals such as Dorothy Nyong’o, a consultant at the Africa Cancer Foundation and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o’s mother, and Sister Anthonia Ugheighele, whose Speranza II program provides a safe haven for African women trafficked from Nigeria to Italy.

At the same time, General Assembly week will also be a time of celebration with two special events: An Evening with Rick Steves and Namaste.

An evening with Rick Steves will take place October 17

The party starts with IPM’s 12th annual gala and fundraiser Namaste! One Night for One World on October 16. The evening will showcase a world-tour of music and dance, as well as food and drink and fair-trade handcrafts from the regions touched by IPM’s programs.

The following evening, join IPM and The City Club’s Dan Moultrop for a private reception and talk with Rick Steves, host of the popular public television series “Rick Steves’ Europe” and best-selling author of over 50 European travel books.

Steves is a perfect fit for IPM’s General Assembly, often encouraging Americans to travel independently and become “temporary locals.” He’ll present his new book and reflect on how a life of travel has broadened his own perspectives and can be a significant force for peace and understanding in the world.

Steves’ talk will start at 6:30 at The Breen Center for the Performing Arts. General admission tickets cost $30 and can be purchased here (student and VIP tickets are also available).

If you’re interested in learning more about Namaste and IPM’s other General Assemby events, visit IPM’s Facebook page or contact Raluca Besliu at rbesliu@ipmconnect.org and 216-932-4082.

On April 27 and 28, Cleveland will have two chances to reach beyond our community and make a global impact with locally-based organizations International Partners in Mission and MedWish

Thanks to our day-to-day routines, it can be easy to lose sight of what happens outside of our own backyard.

I do this all of the time…getting completely absorbed in what’s happening in my life and missing the challenges faced by others. This month, two locally-based organizations are hosting events where Clevelanders can learn more about and support international causes.

During the last weekend of April, we’ll have not one – but two – chances to reach beyond our community and help on a global scale with the 10th Annual Namaste! One Night for One World and 8th Annual Band Aid Bash.

IPM’s Namaste! One Night for One World

On Friday, April 27 from 6:30-9:30 pm, International Partners in Mission (IPM) is celebrating their 11th year in Cleveland with Namaste! One Night for One World at Trinity Commons (2230 Euclid Avenue, downtown Cleveland).

IPM works across borders of faith and culture on behalf of children, women, and youth to create partnerships that build justice, peace, and hope throughout the world.

They partner with over 70 community-based social service projects and micro-enterprise businesses on 5 continents – providing financial support, technical assistance and training opportunities to serve the needs of children, women, and youth.

One Night for One World invites guests to immerse themselves in the various cultural identities of global communities through live music, authentic food and beverages, decorations and education.  The event will also provide a snapshot of IPM’s unique immersion experience trips and will highlight the work of their Project Partners.

Tickets for individuals cost only $50 or you can contribute at the Patron level for $100.  High school and college students can purchase a ticket for $20 (with valid high school or college ID).  All proceeds from the ticket sales and silent auction will benefit IPM’s Project Partners in the United States and across the globe.

Visit namaste.ettend.com or call 216.932.4082 to order tickets.

MedWish’s Band Aid Bash

The very next night on Saturday, April 28, MedWish International will host their annual Band Aid Bash at 7pm in the MedWish Warehouse (Cleveland Clinic Parker Building, 17325 Euclid Ave., Cleveland).

MedWish is a not-for-profit organization committed to repurposing medical supplies and equipment discarded by the healthcare industry with the objectives of providing humanitarian aid in developing countries, while reducing waste to save our environment.

Since 1993, they have recovered, repackaged and redistributed 2.2 million pounds of life-saving medical supplies to 90 countries across the globe – supplies that would have otherwise been placed into local landfills.

The Band Aid Bash features Chef Chris Hodgson, who will be bringing three trucks – Dim and Den Sum, Hodge Podge, and The Nosh Box – to the party. In addition to cuisine from India, China and the U.S., guests will enjoy a live band and four full bars.

Prices range from $150 for one general admission ticket to $2,000 for two VIP tickets, reserved seating and Platinum-level recognition.

Learn more and purchase tickets at medwish.org/2012-band-aid-bash-party-for-the-planet.

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So whether you can attend either – or better yet, both – events, the last weekend of April is the perfect time to support two local organizations and make a difference on a global level.

(Note: Namaste! graphics and photos provided by International Partners in Mission. Band Aid Bash images from medwish.org.)