Thank you

Dhyanbad, Mahalo, Thank you very much for all of you who came to the potluck on Saturday (July 16) and supported the project.

We had a great day, enjoyed the yummy food and watched the video of Astha School. We collected some donations as well.

Once again, Thank you all for your purchases, donations and moral support. Thank you Happycake Cafe for providing the venue.

Project Update

This project, has, by chance, and seemingly of its own volition, acquired a name:

Women Project Nepal

Currently, I'm working with Sunny on a short documentary film, about the Astha Women School, with video footage and interviews we shot during December 2009. I will post it within 2 days.

Also, I'm holding a special potluck gathering next Saturday, 7/16, at Happy Cake Cafe, where we will be screening the film and showcasing the hand-crafted, organic bags that are for sale to benefit this school for women and girls in Nepal. Its a great chance to drink good coffee and chat with awesome people, check out a cute local cafe and bakery, and support women and girls here and around the world!

The other good news, of course, is that last week money was sent to the Astha Women School. The principal, Parbati, wrote me a super sweet email upon receiving the donation, thanking me with "~**LOVE**~" and encouraging me to

~keep up this movement of helping women of the world~

Here is an excerpt from her letter:

"Thanks and god bless from all the students of Astha Women School… its touchable work to all of Nepalis women. You are in USA, a long distance, but we are hand in hand… After sometime we also going to do productive work in school for our long-term survival…"

Long life and good fortunes to the people of Nepal, and to us all,

Sadie

$$$ Sent To Astha Women School

I'm so excited! Yesterday I sent money to the Astha Women School. I was able, with the support of all of you wonderful people who bought bags, to generate $500 for the school.

$500 represents quite a lot of money in Nepal. That's Rs35,000, which is approximately enough for the operation of the school for an entire month. That includes the school's rent, teachers salaries, student scholarships, office supplies, utility bills, and more.

Thank you again for all of your support. I'll post more soon :)

About Astha Women School

Established in 2007 in Gatthaghar, Nepal, The Astha Women

School is an ongoing effort by a collective of hundreds

of women in the Kathmandu Valley.

Its chief objective is to provide education to

illiterate women and girls (representing as

much as 70% of the community). The

students of the Astha Women School range in

age from 10 years old to 60+, and come from

the many different castes and cultures of Nepal.

The Astha Women School (which means,

literally, 'Women School of Faith') is run by

a talented and dedicated group of Nepali women.

The Astha Women School currently offers a formal education of first grade

through eighth grade, and has over 400 past and present students.

(Desks and floor seating in Astha classroom)

Their future plans:

1. Build a technologically sufficient and well-equipped lab and vocational training hall

2. House a library equipped with books and computers (including internet facilities)

3. Improve school pedagogy and expand educational programs (to include courses on women's health, higher secondary education, college exam preparation, etc.)

4. Establish co-operatives, for the improvement of the economic status of students

5. Increase the number of women served

Women studying at Astha Women School

Since Astha Women School is a not-for-profit institution, they do not currently receive any government support, and they rely heavily on financial support from people like you and me.

Full of Faith, my incredibly witty and gregarious neighbor and friend in Gatthaghar, Alina, 11, is lucky to have schooling sponsors from Spain

They charge very nominal fees from their students, with scholarships available, (tuition is about $2.00 USD) as many of them are poor and/or working to support families. The Astha Women School website heartily request us to participate in their sacred mission.

Shall we?

Staff of Astha Women School, with principal Parbati [bottom left]. Photo:school website

Who Am I? What's This Project About?

Aloha & Namaste!

My name is Sadie Ariel Esther Rose Green.

Ever since I can remember, I've been an activist - fund-raising, organizing, holding meetings and events, speaking and advocating for positive change in my communities. I believe in our power as human beings to make the world a better place, if we so choose. Will you join me?

I've started this blog so that I can share information, exchange ideas, and garner support, for a new project.


So What Is The Project?

I've decided to import beautiful hand woven, fair trade bags from a local women initiative in Pokhara, Nepal. The bags are made with organically grown cotton and naturally dyed with plants and flowers by the women of the Chetana Women Skills Development Project. These bags have been supporting the livelihood and education of these women and their children for more than 20 years.

All of the profit (100%) from the sales of these bags (which are currently available for purchase at Honolulu's Happy Cake Cafe), go to support literacy programs for women and girls at the Astha Women School.

The goals of this project are as follows:

Help find and create a market for Chetana's products here in the USA; connecting them with store accounts, individual customers, and similar organizations, so that they can continue to create more opportunities and a better life for themselves and their children (you can see their pictures and get more information on their Facebook).

Help support the Astha Women School in their mission to provide uneducated women and girls in Nepal with formal education.

I have met these women, in their own communities. I am moved and impressed by their initiatives, and therefor I want to support them and share their stories with the world. Furthermore, I believe this could be a great learning opportunity for those of us interested in intercultural exchanges, global citizenship, sustainable peace with justice and equality, a democratic process of development, and so forth.

I'll keep you posted! Add me on Facebook, or for more information, contact me at womenprojectnepal@gmail.com