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.  

Order Forms and Catalogues Now Available!

Aloha and Namaste!

Thank you to all of our supporters! 

Your purchases and donations are making a difference in the lives of women!

I am now gearing up to make another purchase from the ladies of Chetana Women Skills Development Project, and at this time you have the opportunity  to have a one-of-a-kind handmade bag or accessory made, per your order, by the women of CWSDP!

Browse through the catalogue, and choose the style, size, and color(s) you want!

Made with organically grown cotton, and naturally dyed (except black) with flowers, plants and spices, these beautiful bags make unique and special gifts for oneself, and are perfect for the holidays, too.

That sale of these bags supports the CWSDP cooperative, and the education of their children - lifting these families out of poverty, and also supports a local, grassroots literacy and vocational training programs for women and girls in Nepal.

Thank you for your support!

Please call/email me with any additional questions and comments.

Sadie Green

(808) 277 5507

sadie.aer.green@gmail.com

womensprojectnepal@gmail.com

http://womensprojectnepal.blogspot.com/

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

http://www.weavingforlife.asso.st/ (Catalogue available here)

ORDER FORM

NAME:______________________________________________

BAG DESCRIPTION

(SEE CATALOGUE)

Name of bag: ___________________________

Size: Small/Medium/Large (please circle)

Quantity desired: ___________

Color (please circle):             1 color/2 colors/ 3 colors/ 4 colors (max) 

Desired color(s): _______________________________________________

PURCHASE METHOD:

Check /Money Order/ Paypal  

BILLING ADDRESS:

____________________________________________________

STREET                                     APT#                        STATE                         ZIP     

           

SHIPPING ADDRESS:  Same as Billing Address/ Different address:

NAME (of recipient, if different from above)

____________________________________________________

STREET                                                  APT#               STATE                      ZIP

NOTES: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.