Kiva loan

Made a loan to Julia in Peru.

6 julia's

Made 6 Kiva loans to Julia's.

Loaning to a Julia while travelling.

I'm traveling and found a town with free wireless.  Made a kiva loan to a Julia in Kenya.

ulia is 25 years old and has a grocery business in Kangundo town. She has been running it for five years now and it has been profitable. She is married and together with her spouse has been blessed with three children. She plans to use this loan to buy more stock of vegetables, carrots, onions, tomatoes, bananas, and oranges for sale. She will use the anticipated profits to pay school fees for her children. This is her fourth loan term and she paid back her previous loans successfully. In the future Julia hopes to expand her business and open another grocery store and also educate her children.

Kiva loan to a Julia in Honduras who sews

Made a loan to Martha Julia in Honduras who has a home sewing business.

Going on a road trip for the next few weeks. Will try to change the world in micro ways.

kiva loans

Made 13 loans to Honduras today with Kiva. And Prism.

Julia in Bolivia

Made a kiva loan to a Julia in Bolivia today.

kiva loans to julia's

Made 3 kiva loans today to Julia's.

Smithsonian

Renewed my membership in the Smithsonian.

It's our National Treasure. Those who can need to help keep it alive.

Kiva loan to Julia in Colombia

Julia, at 67 years of age, has her own business, a stall where she sells meals and fried food. Her stall is located besides a very busy highway in the Córdoba region. She has had this business for 10 years and works Monday to Saturday, from 6 a.m. till 2 p.m. She has one other person to help her. In this way she generates sufficient income to support her household and to help her three grown children financially since this burden fell on her after her husband died.

This client states that her age does not prevent her from continuing to work since she enjoys what she is doing and feels useful. Currently she is requesting a loan in order to purchase chairs and tables as well as supplies wholesale (meat, oil, vegetables and soft drinks, among other items) and to make some improvements in the space where she is located.This will enable her to improve her business’ image and provide her diners with a more comfortable experience. In addition she will have supplies available to expand production and sales. All this will be reflected in an increase in earnings. Thus she will be able to continue supporting her family.

Kiva loan

Just made a Kiva loan to Gantumur in Mongolia.

Gantumur Tsolmon is 45 years old and lives with his wife and three children in a house in the Selenge province of Mongolia. His oldest daughter and son both attend university, and his youngest son attends a local high school. Gantumur's wife helps him with his business. He operates a vegetable trading business, where he plants and grows a variety of vegetables on his own three hectare field to sell to dealers in the local markets.

He also owns a bee farm, which consists of 19 beehives. During winter months, he keeps his bees in a special cellar, and in May he travels through the countryside to pasture his bees. When he has gone to migrate his bees, his children and wife are responsible for growing the vegetables. He started his vegetable planting business in 1992, and has since built a stable operation. Since 1998, he has been producing honey.

During the past 12 years he has gained a lot of agricultural experience and knowledge of both his businesses. The family sells their seeds and honey during the warm months. They pickle their vegetables and sell those during the winter months. All family members are very hardworking people. Gantumur is a modest and experienced business man and says, "we work very hard during all warm months." He is requesting a 3,500,000 MNT loan to purchase a large amount of seeds while the price for such products is cheap.

Kiva loan to Julia in Nakuru, Kenya

Made a Kiva loan to Julia in Nakuru, Kenya.  Julia is in the business of offering computer and printing services. This loan will help buy printing papers, binding spirals, toners and cartridges.

Kiva loans - 20 to Honduras

Caught up on some Kiva.org credit - made 20 loans to Julia's and people in Honduras.

I'm building up my kiva funds to use as emergency funds - instead of money sitting in a savings account it's getting used. And it's there if I need it.

Science Conference

I was at a science conference for a week, presenting research and learning.

I had the opportunity to support the Easter Seals, a lady was selling scarfs in a pub I was at.  They were mostly fleece and she had them hanging from hangers on the wall, with a sign. She made $1200 last year. Figured out a way of making money while doing what she liked to do and was doing anyhow.  I bought a few and gave them away and they were very appreciated.  It was a win-win-win-win situation.

Modest needs. org.

I made my first donation to someone on modest needs . org. It was recommended from facebook.  It's a site where people can ask for a bit of help to keep them going over the edge.

I think that's important. So many people live so close to falling.

This is the one I donated to. It's a veteran who is about to go homeless and lose their companion animals. This would spiral the person downhill fast.  Helping them at this point in their lives would really change it.

https://www.modestneeds.org/features/ledger/viewapp.asp?source=BrowseRequest&mode=upd&rp=l&id=262593

If you make a donation, register first. You don't get the chance to during check out.

Kiva loans to Julia's

Made kiva.org loans to 5 julia's today!

Kiva loan to a Julia for Nursing School

New Kiva loan to a Julia

Julia is studying a degree in nursing. She would like to be able to complete her studies in order to help her family with the income she will earn. She is a dedicated and exemplary person. She says that she helps in the family business while also studying, because she wants to be a successful professional and helpful to others. She requests this loan in order to be able to invest it in her degree fees, to be able to continue studying and to strive for her future goal.

kiva loan to a Julia in Colombia

A loan of $525 helps Julia Pilar to buy stock in bulk (cakes, fizzy drinks, biscuits, sweets, coffee and so on) and to make a few small changes .Julia lives in Colombia.
www.kiva.org loan.

kiva loan to a julia in El Salvadore.

Julia lives in her own house. Her husband and children live in the United States. She has sold tortillas for the past few years. She is a friendly, responsible, honest person who is dedicated to her work. She has a good income and there is much demand for her product because of it's quality and cleanliness. Thanks to her efforts she has managed to pay some of her expenses. 

Julia is requesting a loan to buy corn by the quintal, lime and utensils she uses in the elaboration of her tortillas. She hopes that through this she will be able to create more income, fulfill the demand she now has and improve her quality of life.

Kidney Foundation

Made a donation to support a friend in a walk for kidney foundation

If you want to help her you can here - http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/SouthernCalifornia?px=2371200&pg=personal&fr_id=5900

Kiva loan to a Lydia

www.kiva.org loan -

A married mother of three, 40-year-old Lydia resides in Paynesville South, a suburb just outside Monrovia, Liberia It is one of the most populated areas in Montserrado County and has one of the best standards of living in the country. Good roads, access to clean water, affordable rents and plentiful transportation options make Paynesville South one of the most popular places to live. 


Lydia runs a table business selling lappa (African clothes mostly used by women) in the local market. Describing herself as a serious businesswoman, she started her enterprise two years ago, using money given by her mother. Lydia typically works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, transporting her goods to the market by bus. She cites her greatest challenge as small capital reserves. 



Proud of her business because it supports her home, Lydia has requested this loan to purchase more lappa to resell. In the future, she plans to build her house. She sincerely thanks you in advance for your support.

Kiva loan to Honduras

Franklin is enterprising, honest, serious and hard working. He lives with his wife and 3 children in the south of Honduras. His business is buying and selling cattle. 

Franklin needs this loan to buy more cattle, as they're selling at a good price. With this investment, he hopes his business sales increase, as he can offer more to his clients and cover their needs, and that way improve his and his family's economic situation. 

Franklin hopes that in the next 2 years, his business will continue growing and consolidating so it can turn into the largest and most well-known in the area. He also hopes to continue supporting his family so that his children finish their studies and become honest people with principles and values.

Kiva loan to Honduras

Gloria is 37 years old, a mother of two children, housewife and a farmer. She has been in a common-law relationship for many years, one that gets stronger every day. Her children are still minors, one of them attends primary school. Along with her partner she is involved in the different farming activities such as: cleaning, harvesting the coffee beans, pruning, adding fertilizer and manure etc. Her parents taught her how to farm from an early age and she has been farming coffee for many years. She thanks God for having given them the opportunity to have their own land, which is located one kilometer from their house. 

Gloria has requested a loan from COMIXMUL in order to buy fertilizer, manure and foliar spray fertilizer. These products are necessary to keep the leaves and the plant in good condition, thus harvesting a quality bean in the end. 

Her plans are to buy a little more land on which she would plant a different, more competitive and desirable species. This would have the purpose of generating more income, boosting the family economy and offering her children a better education and higher standard of living.

Made a few loans to Honduras today to use up Kiva credit. Must put the money to work!

José Danilo is 32 years old. He lives with hie wife and son in their house located in the community of San Lorenzo, in southern Honduras.
José Danilo's business is selling bread, water and popcorn in stores. He goes in his car to different places where there are businesses that can offer his products. He is asking for the loan to buy bread, water and popcorn to re-sell. 

With the help of the loan, José Danilo plans on improving his business and having more profits that will help him improve his and his family's quality of life a little. 

José Danilo's dream is to keep working and getting his family ahead. 

San Lorenzo, Honduras - July, 2013.

Kiva loan to Honduras

Made a Kiva.org loan to Honduras.

30 year old Fanny lives with her common law husband and 2 children. She lives with her family in the rural community of the Municipio de Nueva Frontera, in the Santa Barbará department. Fanny has 2 years of experience selling foods and groceries such as: staple grains, meats, sodas, hygiene and cleaning products, butter, sugar, churros, bread, and candy. She previously worked as a farmer along with her husband. She is requesting her second loan for $750 while she will use to buy meats, sausages, sugar, flour, butter, condiments, sodas, and detergents. This loan will help her build her capital and supply her store so she can make better profits. Her goal is to make her business grow and to be recognized in the community.

Kiva loan to a Lydia

Made a kiva.org loan today to a Lydia, my sister's name.

Lydia is 46 years old and lives in the West Point area, Liberia, which has the most populated market in Montserrado County. She is married and she was unable to go to school. She describes herself as a hard-working woman. 

For the past five years, Lydia has been selling door locks, hinges, nails, etc. from a table in the local market. She sells six days a week, from 8am to 5pm. She enjoys her business because of the flow of her customers and the profit she makes at the time. She started this business with money given to her by her husband. Most of the time, she uses a shared taxi to get her goods to her table. 

Lydia is requesting a loan to purchase door locks, hinges, nails, etc. for her business. She plans to build a house for her children. She'd like to say thanks to the lenders who support BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company.

Southern Poverty Law Center

I made a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center, to renew my membership (since 2005). They provide a lot of good to the world, programs to teach tolerance and diversity in the classroom. And they take up battles for many people.

JUSTICE.

With a capital J.

Kiva loan to Honduras

Made a Kiva.org loan to Honduras.

Delmy is 34 years old and lives in a village in the municipality of Omoa, in the department of Cortes. She is in a civil union with her partner, with whom she has three children, whereof the two older ones go to school. Delmy has been running her own business for more than three years, selling foodstuffs, knick-knacks, and candy. Nowadays her business is better stocked, like a corner store, and she offers basic grains, soft drinks, juices, chips, sausages, school supplies, knick-knacks, etc.

This is her fourth loan and she will use the 18,000 lempiras to buy basic grains, meats, sausages, soft drinks, and other groceries to have in stock. Her plan is to grow with her business and improve it every day, so that she can offer her children a better quality of life.

Snacks for Vets

I brought snacks for the volunteer office at the VA, so they could pass them out to veterans who are hungry. I try to keep the office stocked, so no one steals from the PX.

The security guard bowed to me when  I walked in with the flats of soup. Several people recognize me as the soup lady who brings in the snacks.   Been over 5 years I've been doing this.

Helping correct History

Today I supported a documentary about a very important person in history who is unknown, because she is a women. So I helped correct history.

Alice Guy-Blaché was a woman of firsts. She did so many awesome things for movies and as you'll see, just about no one has heard of her. That's a travesty. The fact that this woman who made history was completely forgotten made me emotional for a full 8 minutes, much to the consternation of everyone around me.

http://www.upworthy.com/youve-never-heard-of-her-but-shes-basically-one-of-the-most-important-women-in-movie-history?c=ufb1

Kiva loans to Honduras

Made a few Kiva.org loans to Honduras today, 5 to be exact. Still have some Kiva credit left.

Kiva loan

Cristina is 60 years old, married, and has four children. She lives in the municipality of Nueva Frontera, Santa Bárbara. She has been selling basic needs products for nine years in her corner store where she offers butter, flour, sugar, detergents, sodas, etc. This business is her source of income. 

She has decided to request her fourth loan of 15,000 lempiras which she will use to invest in her business in order to have better inventory and in that way offer better products. She will buy butter, sugar, flour, cleaning products, sodas, etc. Her goal is to buy more furnishings, such as shelving, to improve her business.

So many kiva loans!

Made a lot of loans to julia on kiva today.7 in total; 2 from El Salvador, 2 from Nicaragua, 2 from Equador, and one from Colombia.

Pictured is Ana Julia from El Salvador. She wants money for cooking supplies. Love her apron.

love lending to Julia's.

kiva loan to Ana Julia

Made a Kiva.org loan to Ana Julia in Nicaragua today.  

Ana, 55, is from the city of Boaco. She is married with one son and she works as a merchant. She started out by selling dairy products. At the age of 25, she decided to start selling vegetables and shoes, which has been very profitable. She supports her family with this business.
Her goals are to improve her property and stock her business to sell wholesale products to her clients. She has applied for a loan to buy carrots, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, potatoes, and boots for the new season. Her plan for the future is to improve the infrastructure of her business. Her next objective is to buy dairy cattle. This loan will help her because she will make an investment. With her earnings, she hopes to open another business.

Using Kiva as Emergency Savings

 I made 2 loans to Julia's today - Made a loan to a Julia in Nicaragua for  construction materials such as cement blocks, zinc and cement. And also to a Julia in Peru for her taxi business.

I am going to build up my kiva portfolio so that I can use it for my '6 month- emergency' income. The savings one should have in case one loses ones job.  Having it in savings is a little silly since interest rates are so low. So I am going to try to build up my kiva and www.prosper.com accounts so that they are bringing in enough each month to cover my expenses.  That way if I don't need it 'cause I don't have a big emergency, it grows and helps people.

Update

Been out of the country for the last week, visiting family. Made my world and theirs a lot better.   Saw a friend I haven't seen in decades, but am back in touch with thanks to facebook.   It's always good to get home.

I get amusing SPAM on this blog.  People try to promote their own sites by leaving comments on mine. Since I moderate all comments after the incident, I don't let the spam get published. But it does amuse me, because it often says things that are blatantly not true. The one I read today said 'I like the way you do so much research and spend so much time on your posts'. Um, no.  I actually cut and paste a lot because I am trying to do it every day, and I'm busy. And if I gave each posts a lot of time and did a lot of research (up to my 'normal' level), I wouldn't post as much.

Very few people I know in real live know about this blog. I do sometimes tell some of my activist friends about it, 'cause I do like to be inspirational. I'm glad it inspires strangers too. But one of my real life friends saw this blog and commented 'this doesn't seem to be up to your writing'. And she was right. It was all mostly cut and paste and not a lot of my usual self analyses ramblings.  Perhaps some day it will go like that.
If I didn't spend so much of my day writing I might write more here. But in the mean time, let me tell you about my latest kiva loan.....

Kiva loan to Julia in Peru to buy a cow.

Made a kiva loan to Julia in Peru to buy a cow.

Wikipedia

Donated to Wikipedia today.  Because it's worth it. And my father asked, he uses it a lot.

Kiva loan to a Julia to buy Seeds and Fertilizers

Made a loan to a Julia in Ecuador.

Julia is a 22-year old woman who lives with her partner and their son in the cantón Ventanas in the province of Los Ríos. The communal bank "Luchando Juntos" is located in the Recinto New Zapotal belonging to Ventanas cantón. The majority of its members work in retail. Julia works in agriculture and cultivates corn and beans. 

She is requesting a loan to buy seeds and fertilizers, and to ultimately benefit her family. Her dream is to expand her crops and to obtain more revenue.

Kiva loan to a Julia

Made a www.kiva.org loan to a Julia in Mexico.    She is asking for help from Kiva to install a sheet metal roof at the front of her house to shield it from the sun. At this time of year they don't enjoy being in the house because when there is a lot of sun it is very hot inside the house and they are not very comfortable. By carrying out the project they have in mind they will be protected from the sun and their home will feel a bit fresher.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Made a donation today to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library today. My name will be in a book in the library as one of its Lincoln's Cabinet.

I think we need to preserve the memory of his works and what he accomplished.  Hopefully it will inspire others to greatness.

Kiva loan

Julia is 36 years old and she is married. She has two children. She has a kiosk to generate income for her family. She has been thinking about how to run a big business but she does not have enough working capital. She felt better when she applied for her first loan and now she is applying for her second loan of $1,000. She will buy some additional supplies to keep in her store such as cigarettes, noodles, bread, water, eggs and hard and soft drinks.

Made a Kiva.ore loan today to her. 

Made another kiva loan to an Ana Julia. This one is also in El Salvador.

Ana is 61 years old, a very responsible woman with regard to her home, and she has always been characterized as providing the best for her family. Today she lives with her husband and two children, she is very hard-working, and always works happily and with enthusiasm. She grows basic grain crops every year typical to her area such as corn and beans. Ana wishes to increase her sales and therefore she visited the INTEGRAL offices to seek a loan which will enable her to buy seeds, manure, fertilizers, pesticides, and other supplies. She wishes to rely on the solicited loan as she doesn't have other monetary income, and in this way she will be able to continue providing for her family without difficulty.

Kiva loan to an Ana Julia

Made another kiva.org loan to a Julia, an Ana Julia

Ana Julia is 48 years old and lives in her own house with her husband and her daughter. She has a business selling underwear in the market that is near her place of residence. With the earnings that she receives, she is able to cover some household expenses. 

Ana is applying for a loan to be able to able to buy underwear for ladies and gentlemen wholesale so that she can stock her business and increase her earnings in order to give her family more economic stability.

Kiva loan to a Julia in Colombia - Cheese making

Made a loan to 

Carmen Julia

Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia Food | Cheese Making

Carmen, 64, is married and mother of three children. Since a very young age she’s worked selling milk, cheese and ‘quesito’ [Colombian soft cheese] that she makes herself. She learned this activity from her mother since they lived on a dairy farm. In this way, Carmen has earned income sufficient to provide daily sustenance at home and to move her children forward.

Carmen’s a very hardworking woman who spends many hours a day manufacturing her products to then sell and earn income. She’s currently asking for the loan to do some site improvements to the space she works in, to buy a stainless steel table and a refrigerator to store the products she makes prior to selling them. This is how Carmen seeks opportunities day to day to reach her main dream of making home improvements to have better quality of life and a tranquil old-age.

Historical Preservation Society

Made a donation to a local historical preservation society.
Its good to keep history alive. Makes the world a better place.

Curing Epilepsy

Been working all day, and for many hours over the last decade, on thinking of ways to find genes for epilepsy.  I've helped find a few so far, but there are still many more to discover.  

Finding genes helps us understand the disease mechanisms better. Once we find the gene we can study how it functions, and then try to correct the mistake so it no longer causes epilepsy. That's a very simplistic version.

This is actually my day job, what I do for my career.  And one of the marks I want to make on the world is helping cure epilepsy.  For all the people who have it, especially my family members.

Kiva loans to Julia

Made 3 kiva loans today to Julia's. 2 in Nicaragua, 1 in Peru.

Recurring donations to PATH - People Assisting the Homeless.

I set up a recurring monthly donation to PATH - People Assisting the Homeless. I started giving them the money I don't give directly to the homeless years ago.  I will buy people food or gas, I've been approached at gas stations and asked to put a bit in a vehicle. If I buy someone food I try to sit and eat with them.  I always try to acknowledge them too, because too many people turn away.

I have never been homeless, but I have seen how they are treated. As soon as you sit with a homeless person you see it. Everyone who walks by happens to be looking away. No one makes eye contact. Everyone treats you like you aren't there. And some are openly hostile and negative.  Judgmental.  And fear.
Even if you're just sitting on a bench.

Saving the World one Click at a TIme.

http://www.oneclickatatime.org/

Today I helped by clicking. Specifically listening to a song to help hunger.

Helping a student in Ghana through Education Generation

Just made a contribution towards the education of a student in Ghana who wants to study statistics. Education Generation is a great non-profit that helps remarkable students get education that usually isn't available to them.  The amount they need isn't that large, and they make a significant contribution back to the world. Great return on Investment.

Ashimatu is a twenty-two year old student of the Tamale Polytechnic. She is doing a Diploma course in Statistics and hopes to be a planner in the near future.

She and her family have always relied on whatever comes out of her fathers’ farming for sustenance. Her father is now too old to engage in any meaningful farming and her mother is a housewife.

Ashimatu and her twelve siblings have had to face life on their own for some time now and their education has suffered a huge blow.

Ashimatu is fortunate to have come this far and it is only your support that can ensure that she successfully completes the Polytechnic.

Mentoring

I got one of the nicest 'thank you' letters of my life. Its from a friend, actually a daughter of a friend who I have known since her birth. She is now going off to college. She wrote:

 "I would like to thank you without question and express incredible gratitude to you. It is because of you that I have kept the same career path in mind since I was 9 years old. You are an incredible person, brilliant beyond words and you deserve and award for making a lasting impression like this on a 9 year old ... I would probably be so lost if it wasn't for you! Thank you. Love forever"

What a wonderful letter.
I took her to my work for the 'bring your daughter to work' day and it made quite the impression apparently. She's going off to study for a great career, and will be making the world a better place.

Kiva and Kiva ZIP

Made a loan to a Julia in Peru today. She is going to buy fertilizer for her coca harvest.

I also made my first kiva zip loan - to City Bees. Zero interest loan to really help a local entrepreneur. One who even lives in my state.
I am going to investigate the zip program more.

Personal help

I helped some friends and family today.  I bought a Trader Joe's gift card for a friend who is having a hard time buying groceries.  Another friend posted a link to her etsy shop on facebook and asked if people could re-post it, she needed a few dollars to pay bills this month. I decided to commission some work for her. She makes Viking jewelry including wire wrapping. Her shop is here.

Yesterday I wired some money to a family member who had never asked before, and needs to buy groceries and diapers.

It made their worlds a better place.

Kiva loan to a Julia

Made a Kiva.org loan to a Julia in Nicaragua today.

Julia Petrona is married with two children, both of whom are under 18 years old and still under Julia's charge. Julia is originally from a town in the Chinandega area, which is known for its businesses and where one of the country's best known talent exists. Julia makes a living buying general merchandise, such as a variety of new clothes, shoes, make-up and others. She buys in cash and in bulk in various markets. She sells her products for cash or on credit both to regular customers and passers-by. She is a street vendor and, on some occasions, she sells her products from her home. Julia started her business in order to cover some household costs. She has fought to get her children ahead and to provide them with a better future. One of her dreams is to improve her home and give her children a decent place to live. This loan will be used to invest in working capital and to stock-up her business buying and selling merchandise, such as make-up, clothing items for adults and children, and more. Julia is very grateful to Kiva lenders for their support to people of low financial resources.

Futures for Children

Made a donation today to Futures for Children. I mentored a student for years.

Honoring Native Traditions, Creating Native Leaders, Building Native Futures

Since 1968, Futures for Children has provided mentoring, training, and programs in Hopi, Navajo, and New Mexico Pueblo tribal communities to more than 20,000 American Indian students and their families.

Futures for Children provides educational services through our Three Circles of Support: Youth Leadership, Mentorship, and Families in Action. More than 180 volunteers from tribal communities work with Futures for Children to deliver and monitor the programs and to encourage educational success for their children.

Our Youth Leadership Program has enjoyed great success and growth in the past few years; the program has grown from 200 students five years ago to over 1,100 students today. In our Mentorship Program over 1,200 mentors worldwide provide support and encouragement to promote positive educational achievements.

Unfortunately, across the country too many American Indian children miss out due to high poverty levels and remote locations among other things.

Futures has a history of success: 98% of Friendship students graduate high school; 54% of Futures' students go on to college or post-secondary educational pursuits. 

Kiva loan to a Julia in Peru

Made a Kiva.org loan to a Julia in Peru.

Julia is 43 years old. She is a single mother and lives in her mother's house with her two sons. She sells groceries such as rice, sugar, and flour. Her shop is located at her house. Her older son helps her tend to the customers in his spare time. The number of customers grows by the day. Julia has had this store for one year now. She likes it as a business because it is an easy way to bring in the money she needs for household expenses. Julia wants to expand her business by properly managing her profits and by patiently dedicating a lot of work to this endeavour. She asks for 1,000 peruvian soles and is very grateful for this chance at financial support, which will enable her to keep on with her work. She promises to always be on time for her repayments. With the funds, she will buy more of the most sought-after items, which are rice, sugar, cooking oil, eggs, milk, and bread.

Molecular Lab

Made a major step in my research today, toured my first molecular laboratory. I am hoping my research makes the world a better place.

Alley Cat Allies

Made a donation to Alley Cat Allies, a group I've been donating to for years that helps homeless cats.

Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. An engine for social change, Alley Cat Allies was the first organization to introduce and advocate for humane methods of feral cat care, particularly Trap-Neuter-Return, in the American animal protection community. By establishing and promoting standards of care, our organization has brought humane treatment of cats into the national spotlight, now embraced by major cities and animal protection organizations coast to coast. In 20 short years, we’ve changed America to better understand and respect the lives of cats.

Today, more than 500,000 supporters look to Alley Cat Allies for leadership in the movement to protect cats’ lives. We promote progressive policies for cats in communities all over America and we work towards a world that values the lives of all animals. Our two decades of experience in grassroots organizing, hands-on activism, and education has empowered policymakers, veterinarians, nonprofit and volunteer groups, activists, and caregivers nationwide with the tools and knowledge to practice, teach, and advocate for humane care for cats in their own communities. From a headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Alley Cat Allies’ staff of nearly 30 people provides the national voice for cats and the millions of Americans that value cats’ lives.

Kiva loan to Israel

I made a Kiva.org loan today to Israel, my first to that country.
It went to Regina. Regia is a 42-year-old separated mother of five from Israel’s Negev region. She works part-time as a kindergarten teacher and has a clothing store, which is open in the afternoons and evenings. The store is located on a main street and has a good customer base. However, Regia needs to update her stock to meet her customers' demands.

She needs this loan to pay for electrical work, lighting and new stock of clothes.

Regia wants to continue and strengthen her business but, most importantly, she wants to ensure her children’s education and strong future.

Doctors without Borders

Made a Donation to Doctors without Borders - Medecins sans frontieres.

They provide direct public health in emergency assistance.

On any given day, more than 22,000 doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, administrators, and other qualified professionals working with MSF can be found providing medical care around the world. 

Random Act of Kindness

Just left a glass of icewater in my mailbox for the mailman. It's HOT today.

Arboretum - More than Trees.

Renewed my membership in the Los Angeles Arboretum.  The arboretum is one of the best collective resources around, and its presence makes the world a better place.

From the web site:

Our mission is to cultivate our natural, horticultural and historic resources for learning, enjoyment and inspiration. We strive to reflect Southern California's distinct climate, community and opennes to new ideas.  The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a rich historical site that includes Native American, Rancho Period, and late 19th century treasures. In addition to concerts and tours, we offer activities and events that cater to every audience.

It is the Arboretum’s vision to serve as a contemporary and compelling public resource that builds upon its traditional strengths in botanical collections, horticultural information, and history.  As a 21st Century public garden, the Arboretum will serve as an educational resource for environmental stewardship, the history of our region, the study of plants, and a place of learning and respite for the people of Southern California.

I get more than my memberships worth from the arboretum, because it is close to my house and I go often, and bring people. Its a beautiful place to be. So much to see. Lots of movies get filmed there, often see that too. A good friend of mine goes every week with her 5 year old son, and they have been going since he was born. My father and I went there often, and places will always remind me of him.

Usually making the world a better place makes ones life a better place, and sometimes its more obvious than others. 

Humane Society and SPCA

Currently looking for a place to crash  and persons to love.

I am making a donation today to my local Humane Society  & SPCA for their summer fund drive.  Summer has a big burden on the shelter, more animals are born and the weather is more severe. And less money comes in because people are on holiday.

This is one of the non-profits/charities that I donate to that I actually use their services, when I have found lost or sick animals.

Epilepsy and Kiva

I was out of the country for a week, I met with collaborators at the International League Against Epilepsy meeting.  We are working on the genetics of epilepsy, hoping that will lead to better treatment and cures.

Today I used up lots of Kiva credit and made 20 loans, to Julia's and people in Honduras.
www.kiva.org.

Jayden's Lemonade Stand for Peace

I just donated to Jayden's Pink Lemonade Stand for Peace. She set it up to oppose the hate message of the Westboro Baptist Church and has almost raised $20,000.  Not bad for a lemonade stand.