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)

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.

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 :)