Lunchbox napkin project! Reduce and Reuse!

For example: 2 lunchbox napkins used as placemat and napkin!

When daughter started preschool, the school's lunchbox policy was no waste (and two fruits and vegetables).  Every school day, I packed 2 cloth napkins: one for her placemat, and one to use.  Not sure if it's a french school lunch custom, but I thought the policy was lovely.  To carry on the tradition, I started the lunchbox napkin project.
It's ready to go...finally!!!..a few choices are posted on my Etsy site.  See sidebar for link to shop.
Thanks for your ongoing support.
x,
A

If I had a dollar for every time I thought about this......

It would be complete!  But I don't.   Soooo, here's the nitty.

Still need: $8,000.00 (for the water/plumbing/sanitary component).

Proposed date for dormitory completion: May 2011.

What the dormitory will provide:  Housing for 160 female students (14-19 years old) at Samburu High School.

Why this is good:  Because the world needs more educated women.  Click here to read earlier serious stuff post.  See updated (!) side bar with links to articles.  Or just google:  educated women and poverty.

What you can do: Purchase a little goody or two, or three.  Send in a tax-deductible donation (if you use the paypal button, please specify water project, and send me an email so I can get tax deduction receipt to you).  Think about water and the people in our world without it.  Tell someone you know about water issues and/or this project.  Become a named or anonymous follower.  Do as little or as much as you can.  But just do something.
You'll feel better by participating.  You know you will.

Another update!!!!

Here's the updated link to the organization I am working with. Same people, purpose, drive, just a different name.

Thanks for reading and your continued support!

Andrea

UPDATE: Sale on Friday only

We had such a terrific turnout today, there isn't enough left to hold the sale tomorrow.

Good stuff for sale Feb 19 and 20, 9-2

Come get some goodies for little girls (there's some stuff for boys too) this Friday and Saturday here. Books (many in French!), games, puzzles (lots of Ravensburger), computer learning games (in French!), clothes (Mini Boden, American Girl, Hannah Andersson, and yes, some from France!), this gently used bedding, twin sheet set and duvet cover, and polka dot sheers, from Pottery Barn Kids, a jogger stroller, and more. Items most admired by children 2 through 10...except for the jogger stroller(!).

Even if you don't find anything to buy (unlikely, this is good stuff), you'll get to see all the beautiful photos in the studio and the halls. It's worth the trip just for the photos. My darling is on the wall...and you know I'll point her out! Ha!

Thank you, Linnea, for generously opening your studio for this event.

Hope to see you there, especially if I haven't seen you for awhile...hey! Come by for a hello.

Oh, here's the link to the craigslist post:http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bab/1600819486.html

P.S. If you know me personally and want an advance preview at my home, just send me a message and we'll work out the details.

And the winner is..

Gloria V. from Grants Pass. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Cake for a Cause drawing. Tickets sold out 10 days early (the drawing was to be held on Dec. 12). Ooh, she is so lucky. Total yummy goodness.

Serious stuff

Samburu, Kenya is experiencing a worse than usual drought. Today, I had another meeting with the executive director for Koins. We discussed the imminent need to build a safe and sanitary girls dormitory at the Samburu Secondary School. The stories she told me about the conditions she saw there last May made tears drop from my eyes.

Of course, they'll need a water source. Since Samburu's topography doesn't work for boreholes (wells) we will most likely tap (via pipeline) into the main water source from Mombasa. If you have any questions about the specific, technical aspects just let me know (it's not that interesting to write about..really...plus, I can put you in touch with someone who can explain the process much better than I).

One of the saddest facts that young women face is the inability to continue with their education because of menstruation, pregnancy (often due to early marriage or rape) or lack of funds and water.

Most people know, or should know, that an educated woman is the first line of defense to poverty, violence and AIDS. Anything we can do to keep even one girl in school is worthwhile.

The next time you turn on the tap, try to think about what a precious resource water is.