Leaders, world-changers, passionate volunteers – these are the type of people who join the Yuda Bands project.
They dedicate two to four weeks of their lives to change someone else’s and impact the next generation.
You know what’s more inspiring than that?
Most (if not all) of them are teenagers.
Over 1 million teenagers volunteered to join the Yuda Bands Project since 2007.
Today, the Yuda Bands project is the most popular service project in the United States of America. Many people have different opinions why they joined. But after speaking with hundreds of volunteers, we uncovered the two main reasons why:
1. Volunteers know EXACTLY who they’re helping.
2. Volunteers don’t have to pay for anything to start. Yuda Bands are sent to them for FREE.
The result?
We were able to support over 700 international students and help them finish school. These graduates now serve their local communities. Some of them are the first in their families to graduate – effectively breaking the poverty cycle.
All this happened thanks to a $7 bracelet.
Now, how does this all work together?
How can these American youth have helped 700 Guatemalan and Zimbabweans students graduate high school?
Many are asking about how the Yuda Bands Project operates.
These people question for good and noble reasons. You’ll see many fake charities and organizations that pocket 50% of the money that’s donated.
That’s why the Yuda Bands Project is transparent in all its activities. Project managers, representatives, students, schools, parents, and even customers know the entire process. We tell you where the money goes, how Yuda Bands are made, how it reaches the sponsored students, and how the money is used.
Full transparency. 100% honesty. You’ll see proof of what the Yuda Bands Project has accomplished by clicking here: How the Yuda Bands Project Works.
If you want to see the breakdown of why Yuda Bands cost $7. here’s an excerpt from our FAQ page:
We put money where they will do the most good. All of our endeavors are funded though the sale of Yuda Bands rather than asking for donations as a typical charity would. The $7/band break down is:
$2.50 directly benefits an international student of your choice in the following ways:
- private school tuition
- school fees
- books and uniforms
- on-location scholarship coordinators
- on-location guidance councilors
- participation in an accelerated leadership program
- supplies and materials for required quarterly community service projects
$2 cost of the Yuda Bands
- band materials
- Yuda Bands makers wages
- importation of bands to U.S.
$2.50 covers operational expenses of the organization such as:
- shipping to and from each school
- posters and advertising resources
- website development and upkeep
- employee compensation
- referral compensation
- cost to attend leadership conferences
- flyers
- scholarships awarded to U.S. project leaders
- covering costs for lost/stolen bands
If you’re here to know how this entire process works because you want to join the Yuda Bands project, then this is for you.
Here’s how you join the Yuda Bands Project:
1. Find a representative of the Yuda Bands Project.
This part is pretty easy. You can go to our Facebook page, find us on Google by searching “yuda bands,” or ask a friend who participated.
Phillip Whiting, the Project head, goes around the country to spread the word about Yuda Bands. If he manages to stop by your area, you can directly ask him.
2. Sign up on the Yuda Bands website.
The next step is to visit this website and sign up.
You fill out the form and wait for a message.
People from Yuda Bands will review your form. Sometimes there are already schools near your area selling Yuda Bands. We try our best that two schools don’t perform the service project at the same time to avoid unnecessary competition.
We’re all in this for one purpose: to help poverty-stricken students graduate high school and live better lives.
3. Wait for the next instructions by the project manager.
Philip Whiting will send you instructions on what to do next. If needed, he will visit your school and provide a brief training on how to sell Yuda Bands.
Every school district has its own different culture and ways. That’s why the approach to selling is different. Representatives acknowledge this, that’s why we do our best to make each instruction as specific as it could be.
Now, those are the steps.
Easy, right?
Here’s what you can expect after you join the Yuda Bands Project.
1. Yuda Bands Project Manager Call
The Yuda Bands Project Manager assigned to your school will contact you. He or she will give you specific instructions, ask you when you’d like to start and answer any questions you may have.
You will pick your own dates and you can schedule a whole year in advance. You just pick the dates and we’ll let you know when it’s time to start your advertising and training.
During this time, you’ll also decide how many Yuda Bands you think you can sell.
Each international student has their own Yuda Band count. You can see what I mean by going clicking here. The count represents how many bands they need to finish school. Some international students only need 357 bands to fund their education. Others need 750 or more bands.
The amount of depends on where they live, the school they’re going to, materials, food, etc.
2. Pick international student to sponsor
The next step is the most exciting one: you’ll pick the international student you want to sponsor.
The organization has a database of international students in need. These students were handpicked by Yuda Bands Project organizers in Zimbabwe and Guatemala.
They only choose students who are willing to give back to their local community. International students also take part in service projects and community projects.
These students share the same values of those who are sponsoring them. That’s why it’s a match made in heaven, whoever you pick.
3. Skype video call with your international student
The Project Manager will update their database. The chosen international student is informed ahead of time about the Skype call.
You can only imagine the excitement and joy your international student will feel. That’s why we set up Skype video calls. It’s a chance for them to say “thank you” and show your efforts as volunteers will not go to waste.
4. Yuda Bands, promo materials, and pamphlets sent to your school
You’ll receive a box full of Yuda Bands and promo materials a week before you start selling. We encourage you to promote the project, its cause, and how they can help.
You can read successful Yuda Bands Projects by going here:
Abby Jackson sold 400 bands even though there are only 900 students in her school
Kimberly Williams sold 550 Yuda Bands in her high school.
Claire Smith sold 473 Yuda Bands in just two weeks.
All successful projects have one thing in common: passion.
They were passionate enough to promote it and things went their way. Social media was also an integral part of their promotion. So you should definitely check it out.
To see the social media promotions, go to our Facebook page. We share promotions student volunteers created.
5. One week of preparations and two weeks of sales
You only have one week of preparations and two weeks of sales. Ideally, you would set aside three weeks to run your project.
Limiting sales to schools allows us to put more effort into educating American youth about global issues and provide a meaningful service opportunity to motivated project leaders looking to help others.
6. Returning unsold Yuda Bands
Whether you sold everything or not, you need to send back all the bands. The unsold bands will be sent to the next schools who want to sponsor a student.
7. Finalization of Yuda Bands count and Sales
The finalization process is simple. Just go to this page and simply follow the instructions.
If you want to join, it’ll take you 3-4 weeks and then you’re done. (from contacting the organization to finalizing your project)
Every student involved will also be invited to an overseas project. We visit the international students and their communities and family in Zimbabwe and Guatemala. You can read more about our adventures here.
The main purpose of the trip is to help others. If you decide to join, you’ll also see how the money you raised up is being used. If you want to bring your friends, parents, or anyone else who has a passion for the poverty-stricken, please do. We are more than excited to meet like minded individuals.
That’s it.
What do you think?
Do you think it’s fulfilling? Exciting?
Most of the volunteers did.
The entire Yuda Bands Project experience was created to change lives. Not just the lives of Guatemala or Zimbabwe, but also those living in America.
Join the Yuda Bands Project. Join the movement today. Let’s help break the poverty cycle together.
If you want to know more, contact Phillip Whiting (the Project Manager) and he’ll point you in the right direction.
You can also send us a message on our contact page. We do our best to respond in the 24-48 hours.
We’ll wait for your message.
