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Edward (44)

World, North America, USA, Saginaw

Project dates

Work to be done

Your accommodation

Happiness is achieved by the work of serving those in need.

Volunteer since
2020

Speaks

English is my native language. However, I was able to attain a very basic understanding of conversational Irish. I have no ability to read or write the language.

Last seen online
more than 6 month ago

About me

Hello! My name is Ed. I'm a very laid back guy. My philosophy on life, especially when in a new place is that the Universe will guide me to whatever may come. I love meeting new people and connecting with them across cultures. Because, "a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet." I love to observe things, like cultural traditions and practices. But after, be prepared, I will ask hundreds of questions. Because I believe that's the only way to learn. I'll talk your ear off all night about the historical significance, gender differences, gender equality, and why the beautiful, ancient culture before me survives.
I am an avid reader of everything. I always have a book. I feel incomplete without one. I love to travel and explore, seeing all I can. But my favorite reward of traveling is making new friends and learning new things. I'm committed to social justice. And I love to play soccer/football whenever I can. I love any chance to laugh, learn, and enjoy wherever I may be.

Preferred location

I am an open book... I believe that my past experience traveling in Europe (solo, on bike) provides the adaptability you are looking for in volunteers. I am a big believer that the Universe will take me by the wind to wherever I need to be. I am self sufficient, traveling with my own "accommodations" (a wonderful hammock "pod" that has never failed me). Moreover, this pod, has always been an excellent conversation piece! Using it as a swing attracts and pleases the youngsters of the village as a brief respite from thier toils. I have found, almost without exception that the laughter of the village children and their smiles works wonders for building quality, productive, relationships, no matter the geographical complexities that may exist. However, I've found that such lofty policy concerns are so abstract and foriegn to the daily lives of those we serve. The hammock works because it brings momentary beauty into the lives of children, which is all any parent wants for their child. Lastly, I believe that no greater, no nobler a choice can be made to serve the poor. As an intentionally poor but highly educated American, I've dedicated my career to serving the forgotten of American society. The individuals most impacted by draconian criminal "justice " system; legislated through corrupt lobbyists seeking slave labor to enrich the faceless corporate overlords currently gnawing away at our democratic system. Recieving purchased votes for legislative "reform" to reduce "big government" by conveniently housing the most vulnerable people ground out of the American justice system. The private jail industry is a humanitarian disaster. An unamerican, unconstitutional institution hell bent on destroying the African American community in America. Ensuring an Fred Hampton, or a socially conscious organization akin to the Black Panthers, never rears its head in our society again. Community kitchens, education, mentorships, the FBI soon determined that a cohesive, united movement of the working class, of all races, was a major and alarming threat to the status quo. That is, those who sit in Pantheons of absolute power, for decades dependent on the cash of thier corporate overlords.
American may be lost. Time will tell. But I went to law school, and began practicing with the foundational understanding that I would never achieve financial success. And of that I'm proud! Because I honor the only commandment I know: using justice as a concept to help the poor, forgotten, those horrendously labeled illegal. Not just in court, but building networks in my community to ensure those tasked with the horrible uncertainty of judicial decisions. Did they find work? Can I get this brave newcomer work, today? Clean, appropriate housing, negotiating rent with obstinate landlord. Food! Who can I call to fill up a pantry at 3am on Monday, in January's frigid welcome? I could call on Detroit... the community we built never failed to house and feed the hungry. Only then could I return to my room, in the middle of the tempest, and slepp soundly, if only for 4 hours. As I fulfilled my personal goal and mantra, I had helped those in need.
I believe my travel experience, laid back personality, and willingness to happily problem solve wherever I may be. As long as I'm helping those ignored by society and advancing the concepts of freedom, liberty, fairness before the law, ultimately, conceptualizing the rights, freedoms and protections of the Constitution for all humans finding themselves subject to it.
PEACE!

Skills

My educational credentials are:
BS History; High Honors; Thesis: "Failures of the German High Command at Stalingrad"; 2003, Awarded top honors for undergraduate publication;
BS Psychology, with Neuroscience Specialization; With Honors; Thesis: "Neural Synaptic Pathways in the Parkinsonian Hypothalamus." 2014.
Juris Doctorate, 2011; Footnotes Editor: Journal of Independent Immigration Law; 3 Articles Publishes; Member of the Indigent Law and Community Action Law Clinic.
My studies and legal career have always been focused on serving not only the underserved, but seeking out the forgotten, such as the man who supported himself on the meager coins of strangers. Frequently spending his winter nights in accessible doorways, covering himself with a remarkable amount of blankets to block the icy chill of Detroit winters, as he remained in his wheelchair. "Sam" as we will refer to him, had a booming, clear voice behind a crown of deadlocks that covered his face. Giving rise to a false belief Sam was "scary". Sam was sick, suffering from several chronic mental conditions and the collateral damage they wrought. Evenually, I was able to break through to Sam. Using the resources of the Indigent Law Clinic, we discovered Sam was entitled to a Military Pension and likely qualified for Social Security Disability after the loss of his legs in an accident many years past. It was an administrative nightmare. Sam was a very unpredictable client. I spent many nights on my bike searching his usual haunts to ensure we could have him present at the hearing. Usually we succeeded but if not in person, another clinic member would eventually find Sam and provide a video link. After the initial SSD denial, we prepared for the appeal. No small task when handling a full law school credit load- 15 credits /semester (and I worked in kitchens as a line cook and sous chef on nights and weekends). Prior to the SSD determination, we found Sam a social worker of the greatest caliber. "Mary" found Sam a living space constructed to cater for the disabled, and within Sam's neighborhood, as to not deprive him of his friends and community, a goal of great importance from the start. We made impassioned, but more important legally determinative arguments that locked down the standards and qualifications for receiving disability. That Sam was deprived this right for so long, simply because of his hair, and position in the lowest caste of our "classes society."
I will work tirelessly at any task assigned, in any location. With a smile and determination to solve the problem. Be it a clogged toilet or fighting for a marginalized member of the community, such as the Roma and Sinti peoples. I believe that I would fit in your organization immediately and begin my tasks immediately as I'm a quick learner and totally unconcerned about the nature of the assignment, as long as I am making the world a bit better for whomever may be the beneficiary.

Additional info

I am a smoker, I have a drivers license, I am not a vegetarian and I have no allergies.

I smoke but I need to quit and have gone without for months at a time with no issues.

Type of work I want to do

  • animal care
  • charity work
  • elderly care
  • hostel support
  • teaching projects

Where I want to volunteer

Europe

Albania, Belarus, Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Ukraine

More photos about me

Wearing purposely ridiculous outfits, we secured the badmint