Shannen OBrian left 麻豆传媒映画in 2000 to pursue a degree in international development at McGill, and later a masters in human rights at University College Dublin. After working in northern Ghana for three years, she started the Ghana Girls Education Project in 2007, which inspired her to start CreateChangeNow.ca. Its a foundation that helps people living in poverty have access to clean water and for young girls to go to school.
In Ghana, it can cost up to $200 a year to attend a post-secondary institutionup to half a familys yearly income. If a family can afford school, its usually the son who goes. Create Change gives girls the opportunity to get an education. OBrians efforts have resulted in more than 1,000 girls attending high school and university annually, and 22,000 people now have access to clean water.
An entrepreneur at heart, OBrian continues to work on ideas to involve more people to make a difference in the world. On average, she reports, people give less than one per cent of their disposable income to charity. She wanted to find a way to tap into income spent on eating out, fashion and other services. KarmaExchange.com was born. OBrian partners with local businesses to market products in conjunction with her charity projects. Vancouverites can sign up for deals and make purchases that will help change the lives of people living in extreme povertyeverything from a daily coffee to big-ticket luxuries. KarmaExchange now includes Rosewood Hotel Georgias Bel Caf脙漏, Vida Spa, Manito Silk, Nicole Bridger and Beansprouts Kids Clothes.
Personal What sparked Create Change?
CreateChangeNow.ca was sparked by the vast numbers of girls I witnessed either not able to go to school or dropping out of school while I was working and living in Northern Ghana. Biggest impact? The clean water we have provided for over 22,000 people, and the 1,000 girls whose education we support every year. Our hope is that Karma Exchange will enable us to increase those numbers tenfold. Biggest challenge? The biggest challenge we face is funding. There are so many villages on our list waiting for clean water, and we turn hundreds of girls away each year who are likely to drop out of school. At some point, our funding always runs out and it's hard to leave people in need. Biggest wish? My biggest wish is that Karma Exchange spreads to cities beyond Vancouver, so we can continue to provide the public with a way to support people in poverty on a daily basis. I believe we need to change our mentality around giving, so that it becomes a bigger part of our lives. This is how we make larger changes happen.
Biggest setback?
I had my car broken into behind Robson Street and six months of video footage I had collected of our sponsored girls in Ghana was stolen. That was a rough couple of weeks.
What does success look like?
If you can find what you love to do so going to work every day is fun and exciting to me, thats success. I'm lucky to have a career I find so rewarding.
Best life lesson youve learned?
Without balance in your life you'll never be able to accomplish everything you hope to. There are only so many things in your control, so you might as well not worry about the rest and make sure you make time for fun. One lesson youd love to give others?
Don't be afraid to tell people what you really think. Just say it nicely.
One thing you could change about the world?
I would have more women participating in decision making. One thing you hate most about the world? I hate human trafficking, especially the sex trade. It's a problem people don't talk about enough. One thing you wish Vancouverites would stop whining about? The weather! It rains here. Get over it.
One thing you wish Vancouverites could do more? I wish we had more live music. When I lived in Ireland, I loved that every pub on the corner would have people playing music.
Biggest accomplishment? So far, I think my biggest accomplishment has been the launch of Karma Exchange. It's such a unique, exciting idea and I expect it to have a great impact in the world.
Biggest failur?e
My inability to drive standard or cross-country ski.
Three words to live by Stress is unnecessary Favourite charity? Create Change, of course!
A talent you possess that many are not aware of? I have fast fingers. I was once a great pianist and can type 70 words per minute. Last $20 bucks to your name, how would you spend it?
I'd take my best friends out for a pitcher of beer.
Lifestyle
Drink of choice Water. Sounds lame but try going eight hours without it highly underrated. Best place for coffee? Caf脙漏 Artigianno Best bar/lounge?
Six Acres in Gastown
Your favourite restaurant?
Shota Sushi in Kerrisdale is honestly amazing.
Cheap place for dinner? The Noodle Box is such a good deal. And healthy!
Your biggest indulgence?
I spend a fortune on fancy skin cream.
Last book read?
Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins Favourite designer?
Local eco designer Nicole Bridger. She has such a way with silhouettes and her colour and fabric choices are always soothing.
All time favourite movie? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Favourite date place?
The beach
Favourite pastime?
Learning new languages
Favourite local hotel?
The Wedgewood. It's gorgeous.
Favourite sports team?
Go Canucks!
Favuorite retail store?
Aritzia when I can afford it. They never run out of small sizes.
First record you purchased?
First CD I bought was the Counting Crows: August and Everything After.
Last place you travelled for fun? I went to Barcelona last year which was amazing.
City
Your favoorite neighbourhood?
Although I don't live there now I love East Van- particularly Commercial Drive. There is such a strong sense of community. I love it when people walk into their local coffee shop or bakery and everyone knows everyone. I love the random shops and produce stores. It is the best spot to people watch because there are all sorts of people down there.
Best thing about this city? I can go sailing and skiing in the same day for most of the year. The ocean and mountains on our doorstephow can any other city compete?
Worst thing about this city? We are all addicted to caffeine and raw fish.
What would the perfect day in 麻豆传媒映画look like for you?
Coffee at Granville Island; Taking a boat out at Sewell's Marina and sushi dinner on Jericho Beach Community event, festival or gala that you look forward to every year? We have so many great film festivals in Vancouver, like the 麻豆传媒映画International Film Festival, Doxa, and Projecting Change. I try to see as many documentaries as I can.
The one place you take out of town visitors to show off our city ?
I always make sure to take visitors to Horseshoe Bay and Granville Island. They're two of my favourite spots. People
Who inspires you? Mohammad Yunus (Grameen Bank) and Anuradha Koirala (Maiti Nepal). Both have accomplished amazing things because they never gave up on their ideas to change the world.
Who bugs you? Mark Zuckerberg.
Local person you admire most?
David Suzuki Most overrated person?
Bradley Cooper. I can't stand that guy. Sexiest part of a woman?
Collar bone
Sexiest part of a man?
Lower back
Most memorable celebrity encounter? I once almost hit Seth Rogan with my car. If you could be any celebrity?
I wouldn't mind being Emily Haines from Metric for a day. I'd like to wear miniskirts and sing onstage.
