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)

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: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

$$$ 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