Journalism and mass communications department students, faculty and staff were invited on March 27 to hear presenter Holly Wise, founder of VoiceBox Media and Murray State graduate, speak about her recently founded nonprofit news organization.

VoiceBox Media’s mission is to embed journalists with non-governmental organizations to help tell the story of people whose lives are being impacted by those working to alleviate global health, education and poverty crises.

The organization’s upcoming mission is sending a group of seven on a trip to Dessalines, Haiti beginning on  Thursday to work and document the story of the Haiti Healthcare Advocates, a volunteer organization whose goal is assisting in bringing medical attention to those who are in need.

Wise said her main goal in writing these stories is to inspire people about the change in the world, wherever it may be at the time.

“I want to highlight the action which is already taking place as well,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know about the change which is going on in the world.”

The organization’s most recent endeavor was a trip in February to Eldoret, Kenya where Wise spent several days reporting on the work of the Kenyans Kids Foundation, an organization founded by former Murray State student Wesley Korir.

The Kenyan Kids Foundation works with providing scholarships for youth to further their education. The organization also is currently in the process of providing more adequate medical care for the community along with teaching citizens to become more self-sustainable through farming.

VoiceBox Media main focus is on small to mid-sized organizations in hopes to give them a chance to let their voices to be heard.

VoiceBox Media is also in the process of planning projects which will place journalists in Uganda, Honduras and Ethiopia to report of the volunteer efforts already taking place.

There are currently eight organizations world-wide waiting to be connected with journalists through VoiceBox Media.

Since VoiceBox Media is currently a nonprofit organization, funds for projects are received through fundraising, grants, revenue streams and advertising.

The organization does not only focus on global organizations who are making changes, but with nonprofit organizations from across the United States as well. Next summer, VoiceBox Media hopes to travel to nonprofit organizations throughout the country on the Voices Across America project.

Wise had advice for the students of Murray State, saying the best way to achieve goals is to be opened to opportunities.

“Don’t be afraid to find out what you are passionate about, even if that means taking some risks.” Wise said.

For more information about VoiceBox Media and upcoming projects, visit www.thevoiceboxmedia.org.

Story by Rebecca Walter, Staff writer.