Building Sandcastles in Indonesia

The following photos were taken by AUA Mosaic Fellowship recipient Rani Robelus. Rani is spending a year serving as an English teacher and a video tutor at a school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia through VIA. To find an amazing volunteer opportunity, search the AUA Directory of Recommended Organizations© today.

Once a month, Rani writes, the school takes a field trip out to a remote village to distribute food. These photos are from the village of Gunung Kidul during their most recent trip. Thanks, Rani!

Students build Borobudur-like sandcastles on the beach.

Students tour the village and the local farm.

Students help a fishermen pull a boat out of the ocean.

AUA Honored At Diplomatic Courier Celebration!

Last night, America’s Unofficial Ambassadors was recognized at the Diplomatic Courier’s Annual Citizen Diplomacy Celebration at the Washington Club in DC. Editor in Chief Ana Carcani Rold honored AUA on International Volunteer Day for our ongoing efforts to increase the number of Americans who commit to volunteer service in the Muslim World. Accepting the award was Ambassador Osman Siddique, who is the first Muslim-American to serve as a U.S. Ambassador and Chief of Mission and is also the Chairman of AUA’s Diplomatic Council.

Ambassador Siddique praised Creative Learning President Bill Kruvant for the organization’s achievements and underscored the importance of AUA’s citizen diplomacy mission. “As we watch current events and worry about what the future holds for our children, I’m optimistic about the power each of us has as individuals to make a difference,” he said. “What we do is very simple and what we do is very profound. We enter into the hearts and lives of individuals, of families, one at a time. America’s Unofficial Ambassadors holds to this idea of giving back and building partnerships between America and the Muslim world. This is absolutely a very timely and important mission.”

Ana Carcani Rold also noted the importance of AUA’s work and the importance of volunteer service as a vehicle for improving America’s international relations. “It’s not the story you will hear in the news right now when it comes to US-Muslim world relations,” she said of AUA. “But it is a significant story nonetheless. Unordained diplomats, be they volunteers or artists or other citizens have historically been significant agents of change in the foreign policy community.”

AUA wishes to thank the Diplomatic Courier for hosting the event and all those who attended for their support. And a special thanks goes out to those who donated to help AUA continue its work.

Editor’s Note:

This blog post was featured by K Street K, a popular DC events blogger, as well as in The Bangladesh Chronicle.

Washington Business Hall of Fame

Diplomatic Courier Holiday Party

The Bangladesh Chronicle

Ultra-Marathon Across Morocco

The decision to run a marathon is a tough one.  Running 26.2 miles is a test of physical, mental and emotional endurance only to be undertaken by the strongest human beings.  Running an ultra marathon is a decision of borderline insanity, but it is what Eric Fischer is doing.  He is running in the  Marathon International des Cedres to raise money for America’s Unofficial Ambassadors.

Photo courtesy of the International Marathon des Cedres

The race is 54 miles (88 kilometers) through some of Morocco’s toughest terrain at over 1500 meters above sea level.  It is regarded as one of the more challenging endurance runs in the world.  It showcases the natural beauty of Morocco, winding through the mountains.  Footage from last year’s race can be seen here.  Read a little bit more about Eric, his goals motivations and his fundraising at his website.  Check out what is inspiring Eric and help him on his journey.  From the whole AUA team, good luck Eric!