In a world with billions of people and a similar amount of blogs, it can be difficult to keep up with what’s going on where. I know this from first-hand experience; before today, when given the assignment to peruse non-profit blogs, I had only visited Perez Hilton’s. From now on, I’ll be posting blog round-ups weekly, which will no doubt benefit my world-view as well as any reader’s. Here’s a brief overview of what various non-profit companies have been blogging about this week: 

• Perhaps taking a note from United Way, 16-year-old Seattleite Rohan Paramesh climbed Mt. Rainer to raise $15,000 for schools in India and Seattle Children’s Hospital.
• Everyone in Washington is going gaga for debates on health reform, as recent town hall meetings have made abundantly clear. The most worrisome issue is the price tag: can we afford a new health system?
• Architects Without Borders and Jua Lekunu, both Seattle-based Non-Profits, are working to create a Neighborhood Center in Arusha, Tanzania. They anticipate the Center to include a solar well, school, medical clinic, teaching farm, and residences for volunteers.
• Adobe is donating $25,000 worth of software to Seattle’s Chinese Information Service Center for the purpose of starting a media production program for teenagers. The program’s focus will be on creating video documentaries on the experiences of immigrants.
• Sail Transport Company, located by the Shilshole Bay Company in Ballard, uses only sailboats and bikes to transport fresh fruits, veggies, and honey from Poulsbo to Seattle. It’s pretty darn expensive, but transported without using any petroleum!
• Palms for Life Fund, a New York-based charity focused on ending poverty worldwide, has launched a film competition called Faces of Hunger in America. The competition encourages young filmmakers to document hunger in their communities.
• A shocking survey in Long Beach, California shows that 40% of homeless people have experienced violence while living in the streets. Luckily, California and several other states are considering tougher penalties for crimes against the homeless.
• On August 12, a Bill was passed to amend the Illinois Identification Card Act. The amendment will enable homeless people to waive a fee generally required to get a state identification card in Illinois.