Who Is Barton Brooks?

BARTON BROOKS founded Guerrilla Aid and continues to run day to day operations. He strongly adheres to the principle that if you think something should be done, well then, figure out a way to just go and do it.

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My story:  I founded Guerrilla Aid after years of volunteer work and international travel, starting with a couple of years in London before studying political history and theology in Israel and the Middle East. I developed an insatiable case of wanderlust and explored Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa - and in the process, became acutely aware of the individual needs that plague our world.

Traveling to take pictures and collect souveniers started feeling a bit hollow, and it was in Cambodia where I finally was inspired to make a difference.  I changed my life to reflect my new understanding, and started my little organization to create projects through random acts of service around the world.

I started back at Angkor Wat, and to make it all happen sold my only asset (a Shelby Cobra replica that I built by hand) to personally fund the first GC projects. I'll still cry about that car if you catch me on the wrong day, but that beautiful hunk of metal became an education for kids in Cambodia, and changed the lives of some beautiful women in Kenya. So in reality, it was a no-brainer...

If someone is going to change the world,why shouldn't it be me?

My little organization has created a pretty sweet ride of it's own, as it was just a few years ago I was this random guy having the desire to make a difference - but with absolutely no experience in international volunteering. Now I field calls from politicians, families, students, corporations, and even the White House regarding the proper approach to international grassroots efforts.

I started working around the world "Guerrilla Aid" style, and set off on a years journey to help as many places as I could.  Nearly four months into it I was in a motorcycle accident in Uganda, and am currently just finishing up the last surgeries and rehab, but will be back out there hopefully by Christmas 2009. 

A few bullet points about my experience or past work...

  • Received my formal education at Dixie College, the University of Utah, and The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, and my U.S. professional background is in real estate, the fashion industry, and production.
  • Personally lead volunteer projects in Cambodia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, Burma, Mozambique, Uganda, Laos, Nepal, and Haiti.
  • I've been an adviser at the United Nations regarding the Burmese refugee crisis .
  • Introduced programs and developed projects for First Lady Laura Bush to visit on her international goodwill tours, and she recently joined me in Senegal for a tour of our DIG project.
  • On the board of the SaoSary Human Rights Foundation in Cambodia.
  • Partnered with Bleeding Hearts Media in Burma/Thailand
  • I ran the GC International Research Internship Program at UCLA and NYU.
  • Launched a corporate reforestation volunteer vacation program in Africa.
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We all work based on the inspiration of those we serve, but I have to explain a bit about the people who have had a major impact on helping me find my life. My heroes below have shaped my thoughts about being the man I want to become, and how to create the life I want to live in.

MARGARET MEAD - I think she understood human interaction better than anyone, and her core belief that we learn the most from simple observation has benefited me greatly. I'm continually inspired by her desire to avoid polluting cultures with fears, expectations, or personal rules, and that lesson has made my work much more rewarding. As it applies to volunteerism, I've learned to not place anyone into a mold of what I think they need, but rather ask them how they want me to help them and we start from there.

ANGELINA JOLIE - If you look throughout history at all the celebrities who have come and gone, there are very few who have taken their fame and turned it into something powerful for millions of suffering people around the world. She is the reason I became interested in Cambodia, and it was while I was there that I decided to start GC - so yeah, she's kind of a big deal to me. It took on a whole new meaning when I watched some Cambodian children playing Tomb Raider so I said, "Angelina Jolie?" and they all started giggling and laughing. I realized that they now had someone beautiful to attach themselves to, and they collectively felt that she was "theirs" just because they knew she was part of them.  I wouldn't call it an obsession, but I won't lie - I have a healthy admiration for this remarkable woman. ;-)

LAIRD HAMILTON - What an amazing inspiration for life. Every time I feel lazy or that I just want to chill and coast, I think of the way Laird lives his life. Every day should be lived to it's fullest, and every challenge we master should bring a greater challenge to conquer. His thought, "What would the knight do if there were no more dragons to slay?" kind of sums it up for me.  For me, life is meant to be an adventure through conquering challenges we face, not the relaxing part after we've conquered them.

OPRAH WINFREY - There is just too much to say - but in a nutshell, there is no greater example of human accomplishment.  Period.

I just want to connect the world one volunteer at a time, and I see it as my job to help people figure out how and where they can make a difference.
 

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