US National Slavery Museum

I donated to the new US National Slavery Museum and will be a founding member. They really need donations, and the USA really needs this museum.

I have been fascinated by slavery ever since I was a young girl growing up in Montreal. I read all I could on the topic, I just couldn't understand how people could treat other people that way, how they could justify it. I used to wonder what I would do if I grew up then, what it would be like to be a slave, or a slave owner, or the daughter of a slave owner. I never really understood how people could be so mean to each other. I still don't.

Harriet Tubman was one of my mentors and heroes. I still think her bravery is incredible. Its one thing to do the right thing when you don't have time to think about what else to do. Its easy to be a hero in an instant. But to live a heroes life is incredible. She kept going back to the south to bring out slaves, knowing what her life would be like if she got caught. She would have had many, many hours and days and movements where it would have been so easy for her to stop and walk away and live a normal life. No one would have blamed her for stopping, she had already done so much. But she kept going. She inspires courage.

Meetings and Kiva

I have just returned from Columbus, Ohio, I was invited to give a talk to the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. It was an interesting meeting.

I made a Kiva loan today to a group in Bolivia (that has a member called Julia). They are in El Alto / La Paz, Bolivia. They affirm that they need the capital to be able to buy raw materials and special machinery to make their products and thereby achieve a better quality. That way their businesses will be prosperous for them and their families.

Kiva

Another loan in Juliaca, Peru, to Nancy for her business.

kiva

New kiva loan from a search on 'weaving'.

As a good father that has to care for the well-being and security of his family, Edilberto has found himself with the need to postpone his university studies and start working so that his dear, young wife and daughter not have economic difficulties. With the savings that he has and the money that his parents have given him, he decided to buy his work tool in order to provide transportation services to the population of Juliaca. Since his dear wife Celia, who cares for their baby, also wishes to help with the expenses of their new household she is planning on buying a weaving machine in order to make beautiful garments of clothing and generate extra income to cover the basic necessities of the household. Your contribution will help to make real the project of this young couple.

kiva loans

I made two Kiva loans today, one to Zoila Azucena Cruz Guido to improve her residence in Chontales, Nicaragua, and the other to Nelly Carbajal Panduro in Morales - San Martín, Peru for her business.

Kiva loans

Made a few new Kiva loans today. One was to Rita Mercado Calapuja in Juliaca, Peru, to help her with her fruit and vegetable business.

The other was to Cesar Eli Martinez Cabrera, for a personal loan to help improve his house. He is a surgeon and his wife is a lawyer, so its a pretty good risk!

kiva loan

Made a Kiva loan to Isidoro Gonzalez Gutierrez.

Isidoro is 56 and has lived in the Villa Reconciliacion neighborhood with his wife and two children for many years. His wife started a business out of their home selling Fritanga, which is a kind of fried food, such as meat, plantains, etc. Ten years ago, using his own money, he bought a car to use as a taxi, and together, these two businesses have allowed the couple to provide for the family. They have been able to improve their family's lives and provide a pleasant home. The loan Isidoro is requesting will be used to close off the sides of their house and guarantee his family's safety. There is crime in their neighborhood, and as the head of the family, he is worried about making sure that thieves can't get into the house to rob or injure his family.

Obama and Kiva

Yesterday I went to a weekly Obama meeting. I set them up a few weeks ago at a local cafe because I was getting lots of new people contacting me and asking how they can help. I also set up weekly Thursday evening meetings and we had a great turn out at our first one this week. Its incredible to see people still wanting to get involved, months after our primary. We need to keep organizing, not just to win the general election but also to help run the country. Obama told us this over a year ago, and we rose to the challenge.

When I first got involved in the campaign I had no idea how much effort it would take. I have been meeting at least weekly since he announced in February 2007. I've also been doing a lot of work from home, processing volunteers (helped with CA, TX, and now PA), making phone calls, blogging, and more. I am looking forward to the election being over and getting more of my life back. Because it seems, politics takes all the time you have. And there is an urgent need to do everything ASAP.

I made a KIVA loan to Kenya today, the country of Obama's father. The loan is to Dr. Andrew Otieno for drugs for his clinic. He has had a few other KIVA loans before.

Honduran Girls

I got pictures today of the two young women I am sponsoring through the Honduran Girls Education Project.
Both these girls are entering University this year, which is an incredible accomplishment. The project was originally designed to get them past grade 4.

If you want to see a high return on your sponsorship, consider sponsoring a girl in Honduras.

Kiva loans

Made a loan this morning to Zarifa Agammadova in Khachmaz town, Azerbaijan. She wants capital for inventory. not sure what she sells, but I love the carpets in the picture.

facebook

I've been helping change the world on facebook (along with getting back in touch with people from the past; old friends, schoolmates, crushes and even an old babysitter).

On facebook you can promote specific charities by joining groups and have pages (Kiva has a page!), and there are applications that allow you to 'click' for non-profits. For example, The Hunger Site has an app. you can put on your facebook page. You can help save the rainforest with 'Lil Green Patch'.

Magazines for the Vets & Kiva

I brought old magazines to the VA hospital today, dropped them off at the volunteer office.

I also made a Kiva loan to the Huklla Llamkasun Group in Peru.

Helping out a communal bank in Peru

Made a Kiva loan today to a group in Peru (with a Julia).

The Communal Bank Paycasa is a bank that was established approximately 7 years ago. At the present time it has 15 cycles and 21 members. The members of the communal bank are from the Pacaycasa district , which is located 30 minutes away from the city of Ayacucho. The members of the bank note that thanks to this institution they have learned to save, to be responsible and punctual.

Guatemalan loan from Kiva

Made a loan to a Group in Guatemala, the "Chaquijya Central" who are taking out their second loan.

Ten of the women are skilled in beading; crafting beautiful bracelets, necklaces, and earrings from tiny translucent beads, and selling them in the streets of nearby tourist towns, as well as through orders that friends and neighbors place. They will invest their loans in beads and string, which they purchase from a market in Sololá. Olga Tunay says that for the first time, with the help of their previous loan, they were able to buy beads in bulk, which drastically reduced the cost, as well as the number of trips they must make to the market.

Two women are skilled weavers, producing "huipiles" (the traditional Mayan blouse) and skirts like the ones in the picture. They will invest their loan in thread to weave these intricate clothes. A single huipil can take up to three months to make, and after an initial investment of $30-$50, it can be sold for up to $200. These huipiles represent a woman's home town, her marital status, and other interests and beliefs.

Julia in Peru

I participated in a Kiva loan to Julia Alejandra Retamozo Rivera in Peru. Julia is a single mother, 38 years old, with 2 children. She sells white stone sculptures, which she arranges to be made by craftspeople in Ayachuco city and sells wholesale in Lima city.

Tree People

I renewed my membership in TREEPEOPLE today. I like to help them plant trees. Its fun.

TreePeople is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Los Angeles area for over three decades. Simply put, our work is about helping nature heal our cities. We offer sustainable solutions to urban ecosystem problems, focusing on three areas:

1. Training and supporting communities to plant and care for trees
2. Educating school children and adults about the environment
3. Working with government agencies on critical water issues

Peru & Kiva

Zenaida, Rita and Alberta are members of the "Amauta Huamanga Community Bank" since 4, 4, and 8 months, respectively.

Zenaida is 44 years old; she is married and has 7 children. She is a street vendor and sells different types of products depending on seasonal demand. For instance, she sells school supplies during the school year and toys during Christmas.

Rital is 23 years old; she is married and has 3 children. Rita sells sandals at a shop, in the Grau market. She buys the sandals in the city of Lima and transports them to Ayacucho.

Alberta is 41 years old; she lives together with her couple and has 2 children. Alberta sells ceviche (form of citrus marinated seafood salad) but would like to stop this activity in order to sell clothes like school uniforms.

Zenaida, Rita and Alberta are asking for loans of 1000 soles (360USD) each. They will use them to buy pencils, colored pencils, crayons, sandals and uniforms.

Zeneida dreams of having her own stand to sell her products. Rita would like to study a profession and expand her business and Alberta would like to have a grocery shop.

End Breast Cancer

A few days ago I sponsored a friend who is walking in the Weekend to end breast cancer.

In her words..

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer is a two-day, 60-kilometre walk through the neighbourhoods of Montreal.
We have all unfortunately been or will be touched in one way or another by cancer.
No one is immune...yet.
Prevention is one way to help reduce risks of developing any illness, but it is not a guaranteed way of avoiding it either.
All we can do is our best within each of our own personal limitations.
This event is my own personal way to challenge myself, to be an example of strength and hope for my beloved children, to heal my own "scars" while reducing my own risks of illness, to contribute toward reducing the risks of illness for others, to provide assistance toward the quest to fight cancer and of course in memory of my relatives and friends who have been victims of cancer.
I thank you all deeply from within my heart for all your support and encouragement.
May God continue to Bless us all.
N.B.
Proceeds benefit the Jewish General Hospital, funding important breast cancer research, education, services and care. Charitable income tax receipts will be provided.

My Children are my Inspiration for the Future

Julia in Mexico

I made a Kiva loan to a group in Mexico that contained a Julia, the Lux 4 group.

It seems Julia sells shoes by catalog. What fun!

Honduran Girls Education Project

I got a very encouraging update from the Honduran Girl's Education Project.The project is located in the Department of Valle in Honduras that is a very arid and impoverished area. The goal of the project are to encourage young girls to go beyond grade 3 education and finish high school. The pilot project was started in 1997 and has become more successful than anticipated.

This is proving to be a MOST INTERESTING PILOT PROJECT! How far will these young women go? They began to be inspired at a time in their lives when they were most impressionable. All the years of encouragement and support have nurtured them to be “unusual”. How can we not try to support them as they seek their goals to help create change that would help to improve lives. Nine, that we know of so far, are now enrolled in university courses and many more have the desire.

This project is run on a very small scale, and I am in personal contact with the main organizer, Carolyn Cruikshank . This year I am sponsoring a university student, and I enclose an additional amount for discretionary funds, because there are always unexpected expenses. I think its a great project that is really helping with very limit resources.

Please consider sponsoring a girl.

It has been documented many times over in international development literature that one of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty is to empower the women of any developing country. If women can obtain more education, avoid early pregnancies and the subsequent burden of overly large families, and learn a skill to enable them to earn more money, then the whole country benefits because a significant positive change will have taken place in the social structure. Worldwide, the mean educational achievement of girls is 40% below that of boys, yet as women, they are the primary educators of the next generation. Research shows that educating girls yields the highest rate of return compared to any other investment in human development.