Ajuma

Ajuma consists of a memoir and three short stories by Tyler Davis. Favors for Neighbors is the story of how a volunteer organization by the same name was started. Tyler returned from teaching overseas with the aim to work as a volunteer for the summer. The problem was he couldn't find an organization he felt passionate about so he wrote his local paper informing the community that he had started his own, Favors for Neighbors: Hey neighbors: My high school community service teacher at Winona Senior High, John Ruggeburg, once told us that "doing a little bit of good is better than nothing." I remembered those words for years, but I can't say I've followed them as much as I should have. I just returned from overseas and I found myself in Winona for the summer. I have no commitments until August. I wanted to volunteer my time to help others. The problem is I'm restless. I don't think I can pick just one kind of service, so I want you to pick for me. You can have my time for a day or 10 minutes, it's up to you. Is there anything I can help you with? Do you want someone to do your dishes? Walk your dog? Need a volunteer for a charity or organization? If you provide the ingredients, I'll even cook you a meal. I'm 26 and have a reasonably strong back. I like working outside, but air conditioning is fine too. I am at your service. The ground rules: I won't accept payment. I'm not doing this for money. I have a list of charities you can donate to if you feel like you want to do something in return. I won't do anything illegal. I will only assist you up to one day. I'm going for breadth here, not depth. I won't do anything that would make my girlfriend want to cause me bodily harm. She's strong. I've got free time and want to help. If there's anything I can do for you, you can e-mail me at favorsforneighbors@gmail. I have no idea what kind of response to expect from this, but I'll try to get to as many of you as possible. It will be first come, first served. Please let me know the time, place and what you want me to do. Let me know if I can be of service to you. Ajuma, Only in Dreams, and Expulsion are short stories by the same author.