From her home in Australia, to the slums of Bangladesh, Amanda Ryan is an earth angel who is proving that age and experience mean little when it comes to making a big difference.

When you read Amanda’s resume, its hard to believe she was in high school just four years ago. The Bachhara company director, founder of JAAGO Australia and fair-trade fashion designer has never let her age or lack of formal experience stop her from achieving what most others could only dream of.

She left her hometown of Wollongong, Australia, at 16 to live and study in Japan. This led her to work for an international non-profit organization and later to travel through India volunteering for charitable organisations. Amanda discovered while the need and chaos of India overwhelmed many people, it balanced her out. So, she began searching for new opportunities to live and work in Asia – a quest which led her to the slums of Bangladesh and the people of JAAGO.

Describe yourself when you were young… did you always know you wanted to make a difference?
When I was young I guess you could say I was the class clown and constantly in trouble. But I was always extremely interested in international politics and what was going on in the world. In high school I would often attend events on human rights, making the long trek by myself on a train from Wollongong
to Sydney.

Ive always known I would do something along the lines of what I am doing now. My current path a been shaped and molded along the way as I have learnt more about myself, the world and what I can do in it. There was never really a point where I said “okay now Im going to be a charity worker or philanthropist”. Its more the fact that Im choosing to be a human being who sees all other human beings as my equal and they deserve my respect and as much assistance as I have within my power to give.

What is it about JAAGO and Bangladesh that speaks to you?
My first international volunteer stint was to India. As soon as I arrived in Delhi I felt like I had returned home. I think the chaos of countries like India and Bangladesh level out the chaos of my personality and I feel a real sense of peace being there.

After volunteering at a leprosy colony and girls orphanage in India I realized this is what I wanted to do with myself and I set about trying to research how I could open up and school that would allow children to have the basic right of being able to dream of a bright future. I was deeply saddened in India when I saw that the dreams I had as a child of being a teacher or a doctor or a dancer. Is not a luxury these children have. For me if I could not pursue my dreams I would not be me. Because I can pursue my dreams I am making a contribution to the advancement of our world. Just thinking about all the wasted potential of these beautiful children is heart breaking for them and unfortunate for the whole world.

When doing research about organizations that had a similar ideal to my own about non discriminative assistance, I came across Korvi Rakshand and the Jaago foundation. Two weeks after introducing myself to Jaago founder Korvi over email I quit my job was on a plane and arriving in Bangladesh with my life savings to volunteer for two months.

How has the work youve done so far made a difference?
I dont really know what we measure making a difference on. But I know that 320 children who never had a chance to go to school now have a chance to because of Jaago. This will grow to around 600 by next year with the development of two new schools being built. I think the real difference is the difference.

What is your day-to-day life like?
At the moment my day-to-day life is pretty crazy. A week feels like a day and a month feels like a week. Natalie (Bachhara business partner) and I are extremely passionate about our vision and live and breathe Bachhara constantly. On top of that I am also working on getting Jaago Australia the charity established and trying to help out a school for autistic children in Bangladesh. Im just extremely thankful I have an amazingly supportive partner and family surrounding me.

How can others help?
The thing I really love about Bachhara is that it is so easy to help. Since I have started my work in Bangladesh so many people have contacted me wanting to know how they can help and up until now I have not had an easy way to give people the “how” to help. Women especially always want to look beautiful and as Westerners we will always shop and consume. Bachhara gives you a chance to still do those things without the guilt. You know that youre supporting an intuitive cause that is providing €˜real change in the lives of so many disadvantaged people in Bangladesh.

When are you next off to Bangladesh?
Natalie and I will both be heading to Bangladesh in January to start production of our summer 2011 line. We both love being in Bangladesh very much. Our sewing centre is just off the Jaago Foundation school in the Rayer Bazar slum. We have become familiar faces in the slum area, much to the amusement of the locals. Two tall white women with kids hanging off us constantly provides quiet a show for the local slum dwellers.

How are you helping autistic kids in Bangladesh?
I assist at a school that autistic students. In Bangladesh, autism is something most people know nothing about. Most autistic children are given to an orphanage at birth or they spend their lives indoors in their family home to avoid public embarrassment. I came across a school that happened to keep receiving a large number of students who were autistic yet not diagnosed. I have been doing my best to introduce them to people who know more about autism and provide as much awareness and education on the disability they are dealing with.

After the excitement of the recent M.A.M.A. Earth fundraiser in Hollywood is officially over, Stuart Brazell went in search of two of the event’s top stars: its creator Kailani Bayot and The Q Side‘s Quddus who put his star power behind the high profile gathering. In this two-part interview, the pair chat about M.A.M.A. Earth and the Q Side, Haiti and what we can all do to make a difference.

Kailani Bayot

How did M.A.M.A. Earth start?

Well M.A.M.A. Earth all started with a bead. I work with crystals and precious stones as a hobby making jewelry and I came across this bead called Malachite-Azurite its such a beautiful stone. It looked so much like the like the earth. Blue and green. I looked it up in my crystal dictionary and it is a stone that promotes healing and aids in transformation. Hence the M.A.M.A. E a r t h wish bracelet. You tie it on make a wish and when it falls off your wish is put into the universe. I thought kids selling these as their school fundraiser would be better than selling chocolate and the best thing is that they get to learn about a different charities and the proceeds are donated to a charity of their choice.

How did you get together with the Q side?

I met Quddus from the Q side at my little brothers first music video shoot. We chatted a bit and realized that were doing a lot of the same kind of work so we partnered up for our Haiti event raising money for Yayasan Bumi Sehat in Haiti. This organization of midwives and teachers started in Indonesia after the Tsunamis and now they are they are in Haiti They just open the doors to their clinic in this past Friday its so cool you should check out their website to see some pictures: bumisehatbali.org.

How important is it to have an event like the recent one to raise the organization’s profile?

I have realized that everyone wants to help and give. It feels good to know you can make a difference. I think why not facilitate these fun events where everyone benefits. Good fun, entertainment for a good cause while raising an awareness of the issues going on in our community and the world.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?

We have a mothers day charity event coming up in Hawaii. Thats where Im from. We are in the talks of bringing El Debarge there for a mothers day concert. Proceeds will benefit a local charity for mothers. You know that M.A.M.A. Earth stands for Mothers about Making Amends right? Im a mama of two boys (above). Oh yah we also have a follow up event at the VS-65 Skid Row to plant a spring vegetable garden. We planted a fall one in October.

What was M.A.M.A. Earth able to achieve in the past 12 months?

Well in June we hosted a event for a organization called ” Shine on Sierra Leone” to help build their school based in South Africa. Then in August we hosted a red carpet charity event in honor of Michael Jackson for the Volunteers of America VS-65 a organization for homeless veterans. In October we planted a fall vegetable garden with the help of a local high school poetry class at VS-65 skid row, that was a special day. Then we had our last event this past Saturday for Yayasan Bumi Sehat and the mamas in Haiti. We are mamas ourselves so we kinda have to pace ourselves.

How do you choose what causes to support?

It sort of just comes to us in different ways.

M.A.M.A. Earth obviously began because someone put an idea into action. What would you say to those who want to help change the world, but do little to nothing because they think one person couldn’t possibly make a difference?

I say every little bit counts.

It was one of the hottest parties in town, all in aid of working toward a cooler planet. With performances by Mia Maestro, Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Camp Freddy as well as Juliette Lewis and Mark McGrath, the Global Green USA 7th Annual Pre-Oscar

When Jessica Rodriguez stepped up to address the audience in Washington, D.C. along side of Hillary Clinton at the first Pathways to Prosperity Women Entrepreneurs Conference in October, it was a step that few would have imagined her taking just one decade ago–least of all, perhaps Jessica herself.

But the journey that led her to be chosen as an honored guest at the U.S. State Department’s Pathways to Prosperity Program, recognizing woman-owned businesses throughout the developing world, was one that Jessica set in motion many years ago, with the support of Indigenous Designs, a fair trade and organic fashion company, based outside of San Francisco, CA.

Jessica’s story begins in a small, remote community in the Andes of southern Peru, where she was inspired to make a difference in womens lives. Jessicas artisan community was experiencing crushing poverty and hope for prosperity was as scarce as the jobs that never seemed to materialize. That is, until Jessica created a foundation to train women for job opportunities and connect the artisan knitters in her community to the U.S based organic fashion company, Indigenous Designs. Jessica committed herself fully to creating not only sustainable jobs, but a community connected by family, tradition, and commitment to mutual support and success.

Although there was no viable industry to speak of in Jessica’s isolated Andean community, it did possess a generations-old tradition of artisan textiles. Among those plying this knitting trade were Mario and Maria Huisa. In their one-room, 8′x8′ house that doubled as a knitting space, the Huisas worked on a single knitting loom to create handmade works of wearable art. The income stream was small, but it was honest work, and it honored their heritage. When Jessica met the Huisas, she saw a spark in them that deeply inspired her. “They had passion,” she explained, “and they wanted to make a difference within their village and family, but because of their distant location, the opportunity for work was scarce.”

Each night the cold high desert air would sweep through that room, leaving the Huisas concerned for their children’s health.

“Children are dying in the highlands during the winter months and it is a big problem,” Jessica said. “It is not their fault that they were born in a poor area with no opportunity for work and such desolate conditions. I met these people and I just wanted to do my part to bring them work and opportunity.”

One day in 1998, Scott Leonard and Matt Reynolds, two young social entrepreneurs and co-founders of Indigenous Designs, walked into the lives of the Huisa’s. They came with a unique, sustainable, fair-trade business model that respected both people and the environment. Jessica’s efforts to employ the women of the region appealed deeply to the young entrepreneurs, and the Huisa’s artful skill and determination was a catalyst for expansion. Soon Scott and Matt made plans with Jessica to oversee the Indigenous Designs fair trade production model in the south of Peru so that she could hire more artisan knitters and in turn, pay them better wages.

Jessica is now responsible for over 700 families, with each family earning good, fair living wages through Indigenous Designs production. The Huisas are still producing for Jessica and Indigenous. Through their hard work and initiative they have built a bigger, warmer home, and their workshop has grown to have ten hand powered knitting machines, providing work for more than 35 artisan knitters in their local community. The commitment and vision shared by the Huisas, Jessica, and Indigenous Designs has led to their joint success. “We shared a fundamental belief that with opportunity and sustainable planning, positive change would happen,” Scott Leonard said.

It was precisely this belief that the State Department sought to recognize when they invited Jessica to speak and tour as part of its Pathways to Prosperity for Women Entrepreneurs. The program recognizes woman-owned businesses throughout the developing world that provide an example of entrepreneurship and empowerment that can help lead communities out of poverty and into shared prosperity.

During the conference, Secretary Clinton discussed how empowering women was integral to progress, prosperity, and peace in every country, and praised women like Jessica Rodriguez for having the courage and commitment to work for a better future.

Fifteen years ago Indigenous embarked on a journey that required creating a unique, one of a kind foundation with community and the environment as corner stones. Sustainability, patience, passion and love define the seeds that took root to form Indigenous. It was these seeds that forged the Indigenous path in remote cottage industry communities throughout Peru and Ecuador.

“Working one step at a time, the growth we have helped accomplish within our cottage industry communities has been transformative, empowering and uplifting. Today, we provide work to over 1,500 artisan families throughout South America,” Matt Reynolds said.

Indigenous has won awards for its ability to form networks that provide education, fair trade and organic certification, opportunities for advancement, and other vital forms of assistance to help elevate these talented artisans onto the world stage. The company takes a sustainable approach to fashion, focusing on attention to style, detail, and luxurious eco fibers, while embracing fair trade principals and the time honored skills of artisans.

Indigenous provides shoppers with alternatives to conventional fashion by offering organic, eco-friendly creations and novel designs that result in a cohesive collection of go-to favorites for the modern woman, without submitting to a unethical manufacturing processes that are short-sighted and harm the environment.

“We design and produce fashion that honors both people and the planet,” says Leonard, “Our designs appeal to both the fashionistas and sophisticated consumers. Our customer is looking for premium quality ethical fashion with ‘go anywhere, always-appropriate’ styling.” Thats what we do, and we are proud to bring our designs to the world through empowering production partners like Jessica Rodriguez.

Living green can be overwhelming. Where to start? From eco cars and planet-friendly cleaning products to organic wines and veganism, its little wonder many opt to do nothing for fear of not being able to do it all.

Yet its the little steps that add up to mean something big.

A great way to test the eco waters is at this years Go Green Expo, to be held at the LA Convention Center from January 22 to 24. Get the goss on natural personal care products, green gadgets, eco-celebrities, yoga classes, green industry and activists including Ed Begley Jr., Mariel Hemingway, John Picard and Eric Corey Freed.

With more than 300 exhibitors, the Go Green Expo is a favorite for those who are eco-curious or full immersed in all things environmental.

Food and wine lovers also mark the event on their calendars thanks to the local restaurant and wine tasting pavilion. Pet lovers can also help fido go green at the Pet Expo.

For 50 per cent off the online ticket price, check out the Go Green banner on The Green Dove home page for the exclusive code.

Find out more about the 2010 Go Green Expo at www.gogreenexpo.com

Go Green Expo Los Angeles is proudly sponsored by The Green Dove, CBS Television, The Los Angeles Business Journal, Natural Health Magazine, Natural Home Magazine, Spirituality & Health Magazine, Mother Earth News, Kiwi Magazine, Green Lifestyles Magazine, Whole Life Times, The Sierra Club and more.

Actor Emile Hirsch will join Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Santigold and many of the worlds brightest minds and major cultural influencers, for a 50 mile journey to the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

The Kilimanjaro climbers will discuss the issue of water, alongside educators who are leaders at the forefront of global issues. The trek begins January 7.

Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist, “actionist” and mastermind behind Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro, Kenna, officially announced Emile’s involvement.

Since its announcement in September 2009, the project has been raising awareness of the global clean water crisis as well as funds on www.summitonthesummit.com for The Childrens Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Water For People’s Playpump Technology. All funds raised by Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro will be managed and distributed through the United Nations Foundation, the projects charitable advisors.

“When Kenna called me about joining the team for Summit on the Summit, I could hardly contain my excitement-combining an epic adventure with an educational process on the global water crisis, and finding a creative way to engage people towards an important and charitable cause, this climb is something special I couldn’t miss” said Emile (pictured below).

“I hope we can inspire as many people as possible in doing this, as well as learn more about the water crisis ourselves, and what we can do in our everyday lives. And put this on the books; I’m making it to the top.”

For Kenna, the vision behind Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro stems from his drive to create a greater good for our youth and has personal meaning as his father was deeply affected by water-borne illness as a child in Ethiopia as his fathers own brother had passed away from the illness as well.

Kenna has inspired his influential friends to join the climb which in addition to Hirsch include Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Santigold, plus educators such as Alexandra Cousteau, National Geographic Emerging Explorer and grand-daughter of famous explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Elizabeth Gore, Executive Director for Global Partnerships for the United Nations Foundation, Simon Isaacs, international development and water expert, award winning photographers Michael Muller and Jimmy Chin, Kick Kennedy, environmental activist and granddaughter of Robert Kennedy, and Bernise Ang, avid social entrepreneur and recipient of the YouthActionNet Award & Fellowship from the International Youth Foundation.

All participants have been in intense physical training to prepare for the trip. As a team they will be learning of solutions to the water problem, discussing how to improve social awareness and embracing the idea they are the example for showing ways to take action and give back to those with little or nothing.

Supporters will have an opportunity to follow the action as it is happening and interact with the climbers through the Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro website with additional communication through Facebook, Myspace and Twitter.

Visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation and training that went into the climb from a series of web videos, keep track of climbers progress on the mountain with the help of GPS trackers, plus stay informed and interact throughout the climb. From the mountain, the team will be communicating with blogging, status updating, uploading photos and videos from Mt. Kilimanjaro with fans at www.summitonthesummit.com. Those who wish to contribute to the cause may sponsor a foot on the site or purchase products with proceeds going towards the cause.

Photo: Michael Muller

World Champion extreme freeskier and activist-athlete Alison Gannett is known for going to extremes for the cause most near and dear to her heart – Save Our Snow*. To bring further attention to the cause, Gannett, along with a few other female environmental crusaders and athletes, just completed 250 miles on a “Big Ben to Brussels Walk”, London to Copenhagen, with skis and a backpack strapped to her back every step of the way.

Arriving for the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit from December 7 to 18, she joins President Obama, and representatives from the U.S. and nearly 200 other nations. Her goal? Raise awareness, knowledge, and media attention for the historic treaty, which is hoped will replace the Kyoto Agreement.

According to Gannett, snow and ice provide almost half of the world’s drinking water and irrigation for food cultivation.

“Saving our snow is about saving our lives and our planet,” she said.

Added Caroline Duell, president of Elemental Herbs and one of Gannetts supporters: “Its not only Alisons mission, but also ours to take action now on solutions to reverse climate disruption. Through our partnership with her Save Our Snow Foundation and 1% For the Planet, we are each committed to making positive, substantive impacts on all levels – personal to global.”

Alison has trained thousands of individuals, businesses and governments all over the world on solutions to climate change. She has recently been working to train the US Congress, including US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Congressman Markey’s Energy Congressional Independence and Global Warming Committee, on how to create a business plan for climate change legislation that is measurable and meaningful.

To keep up with Gannetts journey for the next week at the Copenhagen Summit, please follow her at

Dream of meeting Oprah? How about joining actor-extraordinaire Dustin Hoffman on set of his latest film? Thanks to Chartiybuzz’s sixth annual Chevy Chase Green Auction online, your wildest wishes could become oh-so-real. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Dustin Hoffman, Stephen Colbert, Dave Mathews Band, and Regis Philbin have teamed up to bring once-in-a-lifetime items and opportunities to the auction block. Proceeds benefit The GREEN Community Schools, who strive to create model GREEN schools and promote sustainability.

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