A few years ago in high school I raised funds for the Make Poverty History campaign. It really made me realize how much of a terrible issue poverty is in the world. So I did the teenage thing and invoked my parents to support my hope to sponsor a child.

And so they did. I’ve been sponsoring and writing to a darling little girl named Desta and her community in Ethiopia. It’s been great. She turns 10 years old in January so I’m sending a birthday card by the end of this week. My mother has most of the letters at her home and it’s been good to learn about life in Ethiopia for Desta.

Which brings me up until today. My family has decided that they cannot support Desta anymore. I would love to continue the relationship as long as required with what money I have, but having no job or income this is not looking likely.

What I am considering is a community project. I’d love to find a few kind local people to chip in on the sponsorship. How this can be done, I’m not sure. Any businesses or organisations looking after children in the world, how do you do it?

If anyone in Brisbane is interested in assisting me, leave a comment or give me a bell through the Contact page. I’d like to hear your suggestions even if you have an idea on what I can do.

Hello, readers! How is everyone today? Just a general update of the awesome things I’ve been up to lately.

Last week I was lucky enough to score a free ticket to Creative Drinks. My dear friend Hannah Suarez of Brisbane Creative Industries was the speaker of the evening and did very well. Her presentation is on SlideShare here and includes some helpful networking event tips.

Tuesday I was also in attendance at my favourite Brisbane events company Iceberg Events‘ Networx, Working the (Real & Virtual) Room. Director of Paragon Associates, Lisa Butler kick-started the evening with information on busting networking myths and emphasised that anyone can learn to network effectively. More friends of mine were speaking on the topic of working the virtual room (specifically Twitter) – in fact, the whole panel trio of Darryl King, Clare Lancaster and Greg Lexiphanic! Ignoring the occasional train screaming through South Brisbane, discussions of Twitter and social media run amok against a background of a Twitter projection of the #networx hashtag.

Yesterday I attended ANZ’s Small Business workshops discussing online marketing (specifically Google’s AdWords and social media) and brand awareness. The day was a good one and I met various new people interested in learning more about their businesses online. I was even outed as a secret live-twitter bug, which was a great example to those wanting to understand the scope social media can have. There are more ANZ Small Business workshops happening all around Australia until around November, so get in quick to enrol (they’re free too)!

Lastly, things are rolling faster and faster for Brisbane Twestival Local. Committee positions are being snapped up fast, bands and artists approached, venues scoped. We are hoping to gather the support of the voted-in beyondblue: the national depression initiative as our charity of choice to support, a charity I have long been a fan of.

Phew! I think that’s about it. Oh! And the BTUB Wine Night was a complete success as well. My first paid event as a freelancer. Feels good, man.

Looking for full-time employment has unfortunately taken a back seat to these activities. It’s a shame I’m having so much fun… well, no. Not really.

On Friday I spent my day volunteering for Fireball 2009 with New Fangled Functions at City Hall. It was a pretty good day, setting 400 places for attendees of the charity ball raising funds for adult burns research and development. I did take a photo of the gorgeous table settings before I left, but it didn’t save to my iPhone, alas.

I was unable to make the event itself, but from what I’ve heard it was a great success. Well done, Kellie, Michael and the team at New Fangled Functions. (And happy birthday, Michael!)