New Things

Namaste and Aloha. It has been wayyy to long since I've been on this blog. I guess I'm still learning this art form :)

Well, most of the bags have sold. There are now just a few left bags left at the Krishna Temple here in Nuuanu Valley, Honolulu, HI.

I am very much looking forward to ordering more bags from Tara and the ladies of Chetana Women Skills Development Project soon. There has been some hold up on my part, mostly due to time constraints, but it has always been my plan to continue investing in socially and environmentally sustainable and conscious fair trade items. The bags were very popular, so why not bring more?

Look for more Chetana Bags coming to selected locations in Hawaii soon, and available nation-wide for mail order purchase!

I hope that Astha Women School project is doing well, and I look forward to getting an update from Parvati and them soon. I'm going to email them this week to see how their programs and progress is going.

Me personally, I've been really busy working two jobs, and staying busy getting involved with other people who have similar objectives to me.

Since my last shipment of bags, I have joined the board of directors of Friends of Volunteers Initiative Nepal (FVIN), a US based 501c3 whose mission it is to empower marginalized communities in Nepal, namely women and children, through educational and community projects. We approved our first grant last month, which went to a children's educational sponsorship program. Yippee!

(Three of my favorite little Nepali Sisters, Rasmita, Sangita, and Sanghana, getting ready for their school)

This week, three of us FVIN board members (Dee, Ken, and I), along with the help of Sanjeev, will be meeting with members of the Society of Nepalese in Hawaii (SNEHA).  We will discuss some important issues regarding Nepal, FVIN's work there, and the Nepali community here and what they think about stuff. I have tons of questions I wanna ask, like how they feel about volunteer tourism in Nepal, and what they see as the greatest catalysts for change in their country? Needless to say, I am really looking forward to meeting with everybody this Saturday.

That is it for now. Short and sweet. Just wanted to say hello to the cyber world and give an update (albeit brief and delayed) on how things are going.

Loving Kindness to all,

Sadie

(Trekking in the hills of Nuwakot, on the way to Padma's Village)

UPDATE Fall/Winter 2011

Hello All,

I know it's been awhile.

Some bags are still available for sale at the Hare Krishna Temple store here in Honolulu.  We have not placed a new order with Chetana Women Skills Development Project yet, as we have not received orders for the holiday season, and because we have been very busy with our political work and academic endeavours here in Honolulu.

This includes my joining of the Board of Directors at Friends of Volunteer Initiative Nepal, a U.S. based non-profit organization that serves women and other marginalized communities of Nepal. I hope to be able to offer the opportunity for skilled international volunteers at these and other Nepalese non-profits. I'm also currently helping to develop FVIN's grant application procedures, wherein organizations such as Astha Women School, will be able to apply for financial assistance for their programs.

Please stay tuned for more opportunities in the near future to support these women organizations, both working to improve the lives of women and girls in Nepal.  

Astha Women School Video

Here is my new video,

its an interview with Parbati, Principal of Astha Women School.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1p2oUckrK4

Let me know what you think!

Aloha,
Sadie

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead.

Looking Forward

Aloha !

The bag sales have been a great success!

Now it's time to look forward, and plan for what comes next. The quality and beauty of the Chetana Women Skills Development Project products are undeniable, and the possibility of repurchasing is definite. We've had fab-u-lous reviews on the bags from all of our satisfied customers, who love their unique and stylish new bags. People here are also loving the fact that their purchases support such noble causes. Power to the consumer! And we still have about a dozen styles left and available for purchase by donation!!! We can ship anywhere in the US, too!

Here is a short and interesting article, from the Room to Read website, about Nepal and its Educational Challenges. It

says that 57% of females in Nepal cannot read or write. Luckily, there are programs like Astha Women School, that provide opportunities in education for women and girls, and super dedicated and amazing women who work tirelessly, day in and day out, to ensure the long-term sustainability of these projects. A big thank you and shout out to those women, and to all of the people who have joined us in supporting them!

Congratulations to Astha Women School on their third anniversary. Keep it up, Ladies! Word is they are working on Professional Women Skills Program of their own, so hopefully we will soon have products from the Astha Women School Co-op available in the US market.

Also, we are looking to set up some kind of donation system online, since several supporters have expressed interest in sponsoring the school in this way. If there is anybody with some expertise/experience in this area, who can help

us to set this up, please let us know!

There are a couple of other things in the works here, but you'll have to stay tuned to find out!

Take Care and Until Next Time...

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.

$$$ 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