My name is John Graham and I've sought the meaning of my own life in many places where it wasn't. I'm no guru and no saint. I'm an author, adventurer, former diplomat and citizen activist. I finally found the meaning I sought in service — in helping solve significant public problems, in making life better for other people. Making and implementing this discovery has been, and is, enormously satisfying. It's also been the adventure of my life. At age 72, I've found that my experience and insights can help others clarify their own paths, create compelling visions for walking them, and sharpen any tools they may need. The Giraffe Project is a national nonprofit organization, headquartered on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle. Our mission is to move people to stick their necks out for the common good, and to give them tools to succeed. We achieve that by finding and commending real heroes, by creating and delivering Giraffe workshops, books & speeches, curricula & trainings for schools, a database of heroes around the world, OpEds, blogs, & a monthly e-zine, Heads Up. (A delightful fallout of the honoring-heroes process is finding how inspired the Giraffes themselves often are, telling us that being acknowledged has given them the boost they need to keep going.)

1. Giraffe Heroes International

2. You can’t get a good latte in Kenya. As soon as you take the first sip, the damn wildlife butts in.

3. John Graham is currently in Africa launching Giraffe Heroes Kenya (GHK), the latest affiliate of the Giraffe Heroes Project.

4. You think kissing a human with bad breath is nasty? Try this.

5. John is on a mission to find and honor Kenyans from all tribes and walks of life, who are sticking their neck out to help solve tough public problems like corruption, poverty, and tribal violence.

6. John might be out a few fingers by the end of his journey.

7. John will return with his stories of the remarkable people he meets and hopes these stories will inspire others to do as any Giraffe would: stick their neck out for others.

8. You can find more information on John Graham and what the Giraffe Heroes Project are up to by checking out his personal website and the GHP website.