We loved the
Top of the Heap post this week; bringing up conservation and preservation efforts happening in the world today. I shouted out to
Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation and Lizzy brought up
TerraCycle. Both of these organizations are incredible, but there are so many other groups out there working towards a better future, and we want to mention them too! Recently, Lizzy and I went to see
Christine Ieronimo, author of the children's book,
Drinking from Puddles: Through Eva's Eyes. Christine adopted a little girl from Ethiopia. She traveled there and was thunderstruck by the country and the people. One girl in the audience asked her what she loved so much about Ethiopia, and she seemed momentarily puzzled- "I don't really know," she responded, adding, "I love everything about it. It's where my passion rests." I mention Christine and her touching story because she has emerged herself in a great cause. The work she is doing is excellent; helping to build wells in villages so that young girls can get an education, suppling mosquito nets so that the spread of malaria isn't so viral, sharing the beauty and wonder of Ethiopia with all of us, so that we can see it for what it truly is. One thing that she talked about is how we are all connected- the imagery in her book truly drives home this point and that every effort to help is worthwhile, no matter how big or small. What counts is the joy you feel from feeling the joy of others. (
click here to read our post about it!) Looking forward to hearing what you guys think. ~ F
The DMS wants to know: What human initiatives do you think are amazing? Why?
We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours!
The Mobile Donkey Library
Snippet taken from: Puddles in Africa: Why Grass Roots Organizations Change the World
Last year I worked with our local elementary school to do a read-a-thon to raise money for Ethiopia Reads, A grass roots organization that builds libraries in the most remote parts of Ethiopia where children do not go to school or have books. More specifically, we were reading to support The Donkey Mobile Library which is a library cart pulled by a donkey bringing books to these children. It is one of my favorite organizations for all of the reasons I listed about grass roots. Our little elementary school, grades k-5, raised a little over $1000.00 dollars. Those kids read their little hearts out to help get books to other children like them. Some of them sent in zip locked bags with all of the change that they possessed. There was no economic gain for them, this was about kindness and generosity. They were truly inspirational. (click here to read more)
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| Mobile Donkey Library in Ethopia |
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| Awesome. |
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| Children's Author, Christine Ieronimo |
I love this! Getting out of our holes in the walls (especially as writers) and immersing into a world full of need is SO important. I believe it’s one of the main reasons we exist…to better the lives of others in any way (be it small or large) we are capable. And I appreciate organizations that facilitate for this. Twice this week (how's that for timing?), I got the opportunity to meet with (and learn about) two human initiative organizations—one works with orphanages in Cambodia, the other provides job training and opportunities for exploited women. So good. Thanks for the posts. I love that you're raising awareness and compassion.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Christine! It's always nice to hear from you! Listening to Christine Ieronimo talk about the people of Ethiopia and how brilliant and welcoming they are, even while facing so many challenges, was so inspiring- Awesome experiences, it's wonderful to hear that! ~ F
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest harvests I get from social networking and blogging is learning about stuff like this: I learned from an author, Barry Finlay, about helping African youths and women set up their own business; I learned from another children's writer, Miranda 'Sibo' Paul, about books donation to kids in Gambia; and now I learn about The Donkey Mobile Library in Ethiopia. (Thank you for sharing this!) There are wonderful people raising awareness for the not-as-fortunate groups and I'm just very humbled & inspired by these humanitarian communities.
ReplyDeleteClaudine, I couldn't agree more that social networking allows us to learn about so many worthwhile causes. I look forward to checking out the ones you mentioned
Delete~ F
What a great post! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAwesomely lovely post...I think that anything that helps people learn how to help themselves...there is a man teaching very poor Costa Rican people how to gow corn with a better yield...the skiers who taught crochet skills to poverty stricken women in Africa so they could make beanies to sell...even The shoe ompanies that give a poor child a pair of oes for every pair sold....
ReplyDeleteAll of these help!!!
Patty, the organizations you mentioned sound amazing! Thanks for sharing : ) ~ F
DeleteWonderful. I think we do need to remember we are part of a global community. Love the Mobile Donkey Library. Charming and practical.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you, Leslie! The Mobil Donkey Library is so inspirational ~ F
DeleteI love this. It's amazing how creative some people get in order to help others.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Donna! Thanks for coming by ~ F
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