I will be running in a relay fundraiser on October 18th in the Okanagan called "A Great Big Run for Africa". This 100km relay will raise funds for the Canadian registered charity "Partners in the Horn of Africa" www.PartnersintheHorn.org. This charity gives a hand up, not a hand out by partnering with people in Ethiopia and requiring them to put up 15% of project costs in the form of labour or money for their community projects. Another one of the ways they create change is through micro loans for women to start their own businesses and become self sustainable.
SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU and you CAN help by pledging me for this run.
$70 will is enough to DRASTICALLY change the life of an Ethiopian woman. This will provide her with a micro loan to be self sustainable. Life for women in Ethiopia is hard and they often end up as marginalized members of Ethiopian society with no means to care for themselves or their children. Women are required to pay back these small loans and when they do, they become eligible for larger loans to grow their businesses. By helping an Ethiopian woman with a $70 loan you are giving her a chance at survival. Think of all the things in life that we spend $70 on. It is hard to fathom that it is enough to turn around one person's entire life.
There are many reasons I like this charity so much. It is run by 2 retired businessmen, one in Enderby, BC and one in Edmonton, AB. There is so overhead cost to this organization. It is completely volunteer and EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR goes right into Ethiopia. Here is some more information from their website:
"Partners in the Horn of Africa works in Ethiopia, the largest country in the "Horn of Africa", focusing on the areas of greatest need --- infrastructure improvement, health & welfare and women’s anti-poverty projects. We are a non-denominational, registered Canadian charity. We use a unique operating model for aid to developing countries:
• 100% of all donations go directly to aid projects in Ethiopia. None of your donation goes to advertising (we don't do any), commissions (we don't pay any) or mailing, travel, credit card fees or administrative expenses (our Director's and private foundations pay these along with donating their time and expertise).
• Our African Partner (usually an indigenous charity or a village) is required to contribute 15 to 20% of project costs
• We focus our work in the more remote areas of the country that are often ignored by other NGO’s. "
Any donation over $20 is tax deductable, and most or all of what you donate you will get back:
_"TAX BENEFITS_
A Canadian taxpayer receives a tax credit for their donation to Partners in the Horn of Africa. The first $200.00 of donations claimed in a year is eligible for a credit based on the lowest level tax bracket and donations in excess of $200.00 are eligible for a credit based on the highest tax bracket. For B.C. residents the combined Federal and Provincial tax credits are 22.05% and 43.70% respectively.
The cost of a donation to Partners for a taxpayer who has already contributed $200.00 to other charities would be:
Donation Cost
$100.00 $56.30
$200.00 $112.60
$500.00 $281.50
$1000.00 $563.00"
I want to ask everyone to strongly consider pledging me $70, or as much as you can give. You can drastically change a life, while getting all or most of the donation back on your taxes.
Please click on the DONATE link on the upper left corner of this page to make a pledge, or send me a cheque, made payable to "Partners in the Horn of Africa".
I will mail out tax receipts for every donation over $20.
This is a cause that is very close to my heart. We can create change in the world, even when those problems seem insurmountable. You just have to reach out and do it. See past entries on this blog for some more facts about Ethiopia and how dire their need is. Also, check out www.partnersinthehorn.org to see what they are doing about it.
Please help!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
~Margaret Mead
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Our baby girl is 5! She is a beautiful, emotional, intelligent little girl who tells me tenderly, "you're the best mom in town," and turns around for some animated and very vocal kung fu fights with her dad.
Maybe it was how fast these years have slipped past, or the way her dad so eloquently noted, "when this amount of time goes by 3 more times, she'll be on her own", but this birthday really made me tear up. My girl will be starting school this fall, and the little one will be in playschool. It is all whirling by on fast forward, with no way to press pause.
D is also growing up in much more of a hurry than her big sister and it makes me both laugh and worry. Her personality is quirky and a great sense of humour oozes out. Despite her favourite jokes being bum and fart related, and usually not making any sense, her laugh is deep and contagious and she could charm anyone.
I just want to hang on and do it all a little slower, give it a little more time to soak in, but the older they get the faster it goes. Or actually, the older I get the faster it goes. Anyway, the point is, it goes. Fast. Sometimes I wish it took them twice as long to grow. But I can rest easy as I have been assured, "Mom, I'll never leave you." Um, we'll see.
Maybe it was how fast these years have slipped past, or the way her dad so eloquently noted, "when this amount of time goes by 3 more times, she'll be on her own", but this birthday really made me tear up. My girl will be starting school this fall, and the little one will be in playschool. It is all whirling by on fast forward, with no way to press pause.
D is also growing up in much more of a hurry than her big sister and it makes me both laugh and worry. Her personality is quirky and a great sense of humour oozes out. Despite her favourite jokes being bum and fart related, and usually not making any sense, her laugh is deep and contagious and she could charm anyone.
I just want to hang on and do it all a little slower, give it a little more time to soak in, but the older they get the faster it goes. Or actually, the older I get the faster it goes. Anyway, the point is, it goes. Fast. Sometimes I wish it took them twice as long to grow. But I can rest easy as I have been assured, "Mom, I'll never leave you." Um, we'll see.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
www.partnersinthehorn.org
It's been almost a month since my last post. Yikes! No new news to report (yet) on the adoption front - but (hopefully) will be able to post an exciting development before the end of March. I am not referring to a referral, just have some exciting news that I am looking forward to being able to officially share with everyone.
In the meantime, we're just trying to get through the rest of winter. March is on the horizon, so that is the light at the end of the tunnel and before we know it the long summer days will have arrived.
For those who don't know, I have been looking into doing some fundraising for Ethiopia. I found a great charity called "Partners in the Horn of Africa". I am really excited about them because 100% of donations go directly into projects in Ethiopia. This organization gives a hand up to struggling Ethiopians and partners with them to build bridges, wells and micro-financing. Please check out there site, they say it better than me:
www.partnersinthehorn.org
Once I get my registration in for "The Great Big Run for Africa" I will tell you more about what I am doing and how you can help.
More to come...so stay tuned.
xo
In the meantime, we're just trying to get through the rest of winter. March is on the horizon, so that is the light at the end of the tunnel and before we know it the long summer days will have arrived.
For those who don't know, I have been looking into doing some fundraising for Ethiopia. I found a great charity called "Partners in the Horn of Africa". I am really excited about them because 100% of donations go directly into projects in Ethiopia. This organization gives a hand up to struggling Ethiopians and partners with them to build bridges, wells and micro-financing. Please check out there site, they say it better than me:
www.partnersinthehorn.org
Once I get my registration in for "The Great Big Run for Africa" I will tell you more about what I am doing and how you can help.
More to come...so stay tuned.
xo
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Partners in the Horn of Africa
In my search for a good charity in Ethiopia, I stumbled upon Partners in the Horn of Africa. It is a very worthy charity with 100% of donations going straight to their projects in Ethiopia - all operating expenses are paid personally by Partners' directors and the Columbia Foundation.
Part of what makes this charity so great are their diverse projects, that require their Ethiopian 'partners' to put up 15-20% of the project costs, usually in the form of labour. Some of my favourite projects include:
-digging wells
-homes for HIV orphans
-micro loans for women
There will be a Great Big Run for Africa this fall from West Bank to Enderby, BC, which my sis V and I are currently forming a team for and we plan to run to raise money for Partners in October.
The great thing is that I have been in contact with one of the Directors who lives in Ethiopia for half the year. There may be a chance that I can go and see Partners' projects while we are there. (I am crossing my fingers)
check out their website:
www.partnersinthehorn.org
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Part of what makes this charity so great are their diverse projects, that require their Ethiopian 'partners' to put up 15-20% of the project costs, usually in the form of labour. Some of my favourite projects include:
-digging wells
-homes for HIV orphans
-micro loans for women
There will be a Great Big Run for Africa this fall from West Bank to Enderby, BC, which my sis V and I are currently forming a team for and we plan to run to raise money for Partners in October.
The great thing is that I have been in contact with one of the Directors who lives in Ethiopia for half the year. There may be a chance that I can go and see Partners' projects while we are there. (I am crossing my fingers)
check out their website:
www.partnersinthehorn.org
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Friday, January 9, 2009
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.
Author Unknown
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.
Author Unknown
Some facts about Ethiopia
* Ethiopia, Africa’s oldest independent country, boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage. With its 71 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous country on the continent, after Nigeria. A landlocked country, Ethiopia is just slightly larger than Ontario.
* The 2004 UN Human Development Index ranks Ethiopia 170th out of 177 countries.
* Ethiopia’s infant mortality rate is 114 per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate is 171 per 1,000 births (2002 data).
* Some 29 million people, or 42 percent of the population, are undernourished and 47 percent of the country’s children are underweight for their age.
* Between 1.5 and 2.5 million Ethiopians are living with HIV and AIDS, while of a total 4.6 million orphans (children under 17), 539,000 were orphaned due to AIDS.
* More than three-quarters of Ethiopians do not have access to safe drinking water, the highest percentage in the world.
* Agriculture contributes about 43 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, accounting for about 90 percent of export earnings. However, inefficient markets, outdated production techniques and lack of credit hamper advancements in agriculture.
* As a member of the implementation committee for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)—the African-led strategic framework for the continent’s sustainable growth and development—Ethiopia has also been one of the strongest advocates for good governance and country-led poverty reduction programs.
* Natural resources are the foundation of the Ethiopian economy. As a result of rapid population growth, climate change and other factors, the quality of renewable natural resources such as land, water and forests has now deteriorated. This in turn has affected agricultural productivity.
* Water, one of Ethiopia’s biggest natural assets, is key to the country’s development. However, only about 197,000 hectares are currently under irrigation—about five percent of the 3.7 million hectares that could be irrigated. Moreover, the irrigated land accounts for only three percent of the country’s total crop production. Ethiopia also has a vast but underexploited hydroelectric power potential, requiring large-scale investments.
* Chronic malnutrition in children is a huge challenge for Ethiopia. The country has among the world’s highest levels of stunting (low height-for-age), which affects more than half of all children. Inadequate diet has led to high levels of micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A and iodine; this leads to blindness, brain damage or even death, for thousands of young children every year.
* Life expectancy is only 45 years for men, and 46 years for women.
* Ethiopia’s population is expected to reach 93.8 million by 2015.
* Women in Ethiopia face significant social, economic and political barriers.
* Although women are responsible for at least half of all subsistence agriculture, their role is not recognized.
* Fewer opportunities and unequal access to education mean that women typically earn half of what men earn in Ethiopia.
* The 2004 UN Human Development Index ranks Ethiopia 170th out of 177 countries.
* Ethiopia’s infant mortality rate is 114 per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate is 171 per 1,000 births (2002 data).
* Some 29 million people, or 42 percent of the population, are undernourished and 47 percent of the country’s children are underweight for their age.
* Between 1.5 and 2.5 million Ethiopians are living with HIV and AIDS, while of a total 4.6 million orphans (children under 17), 539,000 were orphaned due to AIDS.
* More than three-quarters of Ethiopians do not have access to safe drinking water, the highest percentage in the world.
* Agriculture contributes about 43 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, accounting for about 90 percent of export earnings. However, inefficient markets, outdated production techniques and lack of credit hamper advancements in agriculture.
* As a member of the implementation committee for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)—the African-led strategic framework for the continent’s sustainable growth and development—Ethiopia has also been one of the strongest advocates for good governance and country-led poverty reduction programs.
* Natural resources are the foundation of the Ethiopian economy. As a result of rapid population growth, climate change and other factors, the quality of renewable natural resources such as land, water and forests has now deteriorated. This in turn has affected agricultural productivity.
* Water, one of Ethiopia’s biggest natural assets, is key to the country’s development. However, only about 197,000 hectares are currently under irrigation—about five percent of the 3.7 million hectares that could be irrigated. Moreover, the irrigated land accounts for only three percent of the country’s total crop production. Ethiopia also has a vast but underexploited hydroelectric power potential, requiring large-scale investments.
* Chronic malnutrition in children is a huge challenge for Ethiopia. The country has among the world’s highest levels of stunting (low height-for-age), which affects more than half of all children. Inadequate diet has led to high levels of micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A and iodine; this leads to blindness, brain damage or even death, for thousands of young children every year.
* Life expectancy is only 45 years for men, and 46 years for women.
* Ethiopia’s population is expected to reach 93.8 million by 2015.
* Women in Ethiopia face significant social, economic and political barriers.
* Although women are responsible for at least half of all subsistence agriculture, their role is not recognized.
* Fewer opportunities and unequal access to education mean that women typically earn half of what men earn in Ethiopia.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
International Aid
Some food for thought about world aid. Canada made a pledge in 2002 to donate 0.7% of its national income as aid to the poorest countries. We are still only at 0.28%, a shameful 16th place of the 22 nations who made that pledge, and no plans to work towards our commitment.
Below is an excerpt from the website www.freerice.com:
"International Aid ― A Solution
Quick Summary: Almost all of the deaths from hunger and disease that you see on this site can be stopped. The cost to do this is about $195 billion a year, according to the United Nations. Twenty-two developed countries below have pledged to work towards each giving 0.7% (a little less than 1%) of their national income in international aid, which would raise the $195 billion. Some countries are slow to meet their pledge.
COUNTRY For each $100 earned in the country, how much is donated in aid Aid as % of income How close the country is to reaching the 0.7% goal
Norway 95 cents 0.95 Already reached goal
Sweden 93 cents 0.93 Already reached goal
Luxembourg 90 cents 0.90 Already reached goal
Denmark 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Netherlands 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Ireland 54 cents 0.54 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Austria 49 cents 0.49 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Belgium 43 cents 0.43 Scheduled to reach in 2010
Spain 41 cents 0.41 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Finland 40 cents 0.40 Scheduled to reach in 2010
France 39 cents 0.39 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Germany 37 cents 0.37 Scheduled to reach in 2014
Switzerland 37 cents 0.37 No schedule yet
United Kingdom 36 cents 0.36 Scheduled to reach in 2013
Australia 30 cents 0.30 No schedule yet
Canada 28 cents 0.28 No schedule yet
New Zealand 27 cents 0.27 No schedule yet
Italy 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Portugal 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Japan 17 cents 0.17 No schedule yet
Greece 16 cents 0.16 Scheduled to reach in 2015
United States 16 cents 0.16 No schedule yet"
go to www.freerice.com for the rest of the stats.
Below is an excerpt from the website www.freerice.com:
"International Aid ― A Solution
Quick Summary: Almost all of the deaths from hunger and disease that you see on this site can be stopped. The cost to do this is about $195 billion a year, according to the United Nations. Twenty-two developed countries below have pledged to work towards each giving 0.7% (a little less than 1%) of their national income in international aid, which would raise the $195 billion. Some countries are slow to meet their pledge.
COUNTRY For each $100 earned in the country, how much is donated in aid Aid as % of income How close the country is to reaching the 0.7% goal
Norway 95 cents 0.95 Already reached goal
Sweden 93 cents 0.93 Already reached goal
Luxembourg 90 cents 0.90 Already reached goal
Denmark 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Netherlands 81 cents 0.81 Already reached goal
Ireland 54 cents 0.54 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Austria 49 cents 0.49 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Belgium 43 cents 0.43 Scheduled to reach in 2010
Spain 41 cents 0.41 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Finland 40 cents 0.40 Scheduled to reach in 2010
France 39 cents 0.39 Scheduled to reach in 2012
Germany 37 cents 0.37 Scheduled to reach in 2014
Switzerland 37 cents 0.37 No schedule yet
United Kingdom 36 cents 0.36 Scheduled to reach in 2013
Australia 30 cents 0.30 No schedule yet
Canada 28 cents 0.28 No schedule yet
New Zealand 27 cents 0.27 No schedule yet
Italy 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Portugal 19 cents 0.19 Scheduled to reach in 2015
Japan 17 cents 0.17 No schedule yet
Greece 16 cents 0.16 Scheduled to reach in 2015
United States 16 cents 0.16 No schedule yet"
go to www.freerice.com for the rest of the stats.
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