This post was published @ Middle Zone Musings in conjunction with the “What I Learned From” group-writing project.

I started The Giving Hands in March 2007 though I bought the domain about a month earlier. It is an extension of my charity and conservation work online, which revolves around creating and spreading awareness on matters pertaining to charity, conservation, the environment, health and volunteerism.

A post from every month of 2007:

• March — Have you heard of Operation Smile?

  This was my second post on The Giving Hands, and the one which made me realize the simple things that we could make a difference or change a person’s life. Making donations IS a simple thing to do, no? :D

• April — 10 things you can do to save the earth

  This was my first environment-related post, and I remember I had so much fun researching and writing it. It was during the writing process that I realized that there were so much things that we could do to make the earth a cleaner and safer place to live in.

• May — Tuberculosis — the disease that won’t die

  TB is a curable disease. And I am a walking example.

• June — Psst.. Have you heard of Eden Handicap Centre?

  I first blogged about a Malaysian charity, Eden Handicap Service Centre, which I would be raising funds for during Blogathon.

• July — Blogathon 2007 category

  The entire month was dedicated to raising funds for Eden Handicap Service Centre through Blogathon, an annual event where bloggers get together and blog for a straight 24 hours to raise funds for charity. Similarly, I have also learned a lot about issues related to people with disabilities while researching for my Blogathon materials.

• August — Sand-mining threatens the survival of river terrapins

  Some inconsiderate people mined sand from the very spot that the river terrapins come to nest every year. So I took some photos and wrote an article to a local English daily, with which I am working part-time :D The assemblyman couldn’t be reached for comment (as usual) but I am glad that the sand-mining activity has stopped.

• September — How much plastic bags do you use?

  An educational post with a lot of facts and figures on the consumption of plastic bags, and why they should be banned. I also initiated a month-long blogging campaign on environment-related issues which would conclude on Blog Action Day on October 15th.

• October — 18 ways to conserve energy in your home

  Some things are just worth the time and effort and bandwidth repeating :D

• November — Pledge to buy handmade this holiday season!

  Give ONLY handmade gifts this festive season. Support independent artists. Be personal.

• December — “Save the Ocean” group-writing project begins

  I initiated a month-long “Save the Ocean” campaign to raise awareness on the importance of saving our oceans. A dozen bloggers have volunteered to take up relevant topics, and the posts will be published at The Giving Hands everyday throughout January 2008.