The I Am Challenge is an International Youth run organisation with over 200 participants across all continents. Based on the simple idea that ‘I am who I am, and I can make a difference’, it challenges young people around the world to wear the same ‘I Am Name’ t-shirt for one whole year, to raise funds, awareness and volunteer for a cause they are passionate about.The purpose of the I Am Challenge is connect like minded youth from all different walks of life, together through one t-shirt, that is symbolic of the commitment they are making to their community and a cause for one year.What started as a dare between two young men wear the same t-shirt for a while year for chatty has transformed into an international youth charity with the ultimate goal being able to encourage the next generation to care for and live for a cause greater than themselves.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArhUh54J5lg&feature=player_embedded
I joined in the project one year ago and started the self-experiment. Very nervous and sceptic in the beginning through, but getting used to it with every passing day, I started liking the pros of it and changed my attitude. It took me almost a year to realize how false our today’s society is, people get judged by their cloths and to be honest, I never really cared a lot about my own things. T-shirts especially were exchangeable, but now I had to live with what I had, ten shirts in total for one year. Understandable that it got more difficult after I lost one shirt after only half a year. People should more often do self experiences, not necessarily extreme ones, but it sensibilizes you for serious topics and makes you understand how people who have no other opportunities and have to survive with for example little money may feel.
Looking back I have many interesting and funny stories to share. It is quite an experience, swimming against the stream, but I didn’t meet one single person that was not amazed by the project idea. And well, you get used to peoples jokes and strangers asking you on the streets “are you really Rebecca?”
It´s an incredible self-discovery process and I can only recommend everyone to try it yourself! (Don´t worry, the year passes faster than you think!)
We are living the dream, we hope you will join us!
More information at iamchallenge.org!
- Date: 2011/2012
- Location: New Zealand, Germany