THE CLOTH AND THE MUD #48

WINTER, 2012

NEWS FROM FABULOUS AFRICAN FABRICS

A 501 (c) (3) ORGANIZATION

727-946-5322,  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and www.fabulousafricanfabrics.org Laura Salazar, editor

Our Mission:  to support orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya

COMING EVENTS

February 21:  Presentation to United Methodist Women Lakewood, CA

March:  Garage Sale in Dunedin Florida

NEWS FROM AFRICA

How are you and the entire members of FAF?  We at Good Samaritan are doing fine.  We just wanted to send our lovely greetings to you and with you a wonderful new year 2012. Yours, Mercy, staff and children.   January 21, 2012

            In Kenya’s Maasai Mara economic independence can come to African women when they connect with western organizations such as Me to We Artisans.  Women use their beading skills to create classic Maasai bracelets and belts sold in the west.  The year-old organization has changed women’s lives.  Katie Hewitt of The Toronto Star September 26 reports on the life of Pariken who has purchased two goats that provide milk and cheese for her husband and children as well as new clothing and utensils.  Extra household income means her children can stay in school instead of going to work, and they can now plan for the future. Small NGO’s like Me to We Artisans and Fabulous African Fabrics are making a difference.

            Fighting broke out between the Kenyan army and Shibab rebels at the Somalian boarder this October in response to Shibab forces stopping famine victims from crossing over into Kenyan refugee camps.  Kenya also seemed to be retaliating against the Shibab soldiers who entered Kenya and murdered tourists. (Tourism is one of the chief sources of financial strength in Kenya.)  The New York Times on Nov. 20 noted that Ethiopians crossed into Somalia.  Long standing enemies of the Somalis, Ethiopia seemed welcome into the Somalia, indicating that anyone who can get Shibab out of Somalia is may bring peace.  Shibab has moved away from the border, and there currently seems to be a stalemate. 

            Kenyan Defense Minister Haji recently offered that Kenya’s goal was not to capture the port at Kismayu, Somalia as some contend but to contribute to the war on terror.  Stay tuned.

            At the Good Samaritan Children’s Home students from Mount Kenya University visited and donated foodstuff, clothes and Christmas gifts to the orphans.  The event made the front page in Nairobi’s Standard newspaper on the 20^th of December.

ABIGAEL’S WORLD

October seventh at the meeting of the East Lansing, Michigan Kenyan community I met FAF’s Abigael Onchiri, daughter of FAF  advisor, Sheba Onchiri. When Abigael  asked how she could help, I suggested that she write about her experiences as a student in Kenya.   This summer Abigael and her mother started our Global Giving website that raises money for school  shoes for students at the Good Samaritan Children’s Home.  On Dec. 2 Abigael  raised $100 for Fabulous African Fabrics with her school’s African Student Association..  Here is Abigael’s first article.  LS

My name is Abigael Onchiri. I am originally from Kenya. Currently I am a senior at East Lansing High School in Michigan.  I am also the president of African Student Association (ASA) in our school. My two sisters and I came to the United States in 2006 accompanying my mother who had come for graduate studies. Generally, I have enjoyed my stay in the USA having met new friends and acquaintances. I have also liked the many educational and community service opportunities existing in this country and a relatively conducive learning environment compared to my country of origin.

What I remember and probably miss about education in Kenya is the school dress code, particularly the school uniform. I remember with nostalgia how all students in my school looked fabulous in their uniforms. Those who did not have the required uniforms were always sent home to buy. In my former school, our uniform included a white blouse, checked black and white skirt, red sweater, and black shoes. We were also required to buy sports shoes, shorts and a T-shirt. What I did not like is when some students made fun of those who had old or torn sweaters, socks, or shoes. Those students who were made fun of felt sad and sometimes cried.

Because I attended a boarding school (where we lived in the dorms), I missed my family so much. However, our school had scheduled "visiting days" once every three months, when parents or guardians would come and bring home made food. "Visiting day" or "visto" as we used to call it, meant a lot to all students. Some students who were never visited really got disappointed while others cried, stayed away from the crowd, or decided to waste the day away sleeping. However, most of the time, students who were lucky to be visited shared their food with the ones who were not visited. Not being visted was really dreaded by all students. 

b b b b b b

Empowering girls accelerates progress in developing countries.

        Go to United Nations Population Fund:  unf0a.org.

or read National Geographic, Sept. 2011

THE CLOTH

            Thanks to the women of Baldwin, MI, and Mareo  Tabiadon owner of the Main Stream Café, FAF is $200 dollars richer.  Mareo has been featuring hats by FAF’s hatter in his fine establishment.  Kudos to Mareo and all the women of the north who are sporting African designs.  Speaking of which, hats with over sized brims were featured in Sunday Jan 15^th Styles page of The New York Times.  Lucy Ramshaw is spending these snowy days at her Singer getting ready for a crush of sales the summer of 2012. 

            Spokane’s Jubilee netted FAF $460.00 in November.  Once again Dian Zahner’s artistic eye and organizational skills made Jubilee a great success.  We sold out!  Thank you Dian for creating gorgeous African textile items for sale, displaying them beautifully and making those sales.

SENT TO THE GOOD SAMARITAIN CHILDREN’S HOME

This quarter:  $3000

This breaks down to   $1000 for tuition

                                      $1000 for shoes

                                      $1000 for general expenses

GLOBAL GIVING TOTALS

As of today, January 18, FAF has raised $7934.90 on Global Giving since Sept. 2010

                        Tuition fund:  $6885

                        Shoe fund:  $1049

ANTHONY SALAZAR FUND

Thanks to the many generous donors to the Anthony Salazar Fund.  Who gave $1410.00, preparing FAF for any emergencies at the Good Samaritan Children’s Home in 2012.   You warmed our hearts,  Kate, Kiri, Alexei and Laura Salazar

PAMPERED CHEF

A good time was had by all, as FAF raised $193.25.  Thank you, Kiri Salazar for hosting this party and donating your expertise at the oven.  You look great in your chef’s hat.  Also a big thank you to Mary Moeler, Kiri’s mom who stepped in to co-host the party when Laura dashed off to Florida on business.

CONGRATULATIONS ROSE ELLIS 1^st PLACE AT THE NATIONAL JURIED SHOW AT CAPE FEAR STUDIO OF ART IN NORTH CAROLINA

You just keep getting better and better!

GARAGE SALE MANIA

Two garage sales this quarter netted us $380.00.  Both came with drama.  On October 12 Rose Stein hosted our fall sale in Grand Rapids.  Because of a storm scheduled for the 14^th and 15^th, we moved the date back to Wednesday the 12^th , selling items for only one day.  Regardless FAF took in $230.  Thank you Rose, Connie Jones, Roger Ellis, Christine Coggins, Jane Killman, and Faith UMC friends for donations, helping set up, selling and packing it all in. 

The following week Shirley Harbin and I held a sale including FAF items as I cleaned out my condo in Florida.  It was a mad mad world putting a thousand tags on every item big or small.  We raised $150.00 for FAF and emptied the condo.  More items wait in a storage unit for a second sale in Florida this March. 

AIDS

On World AIDS Day, December 1 the world looked back at the strides made against this disease in the last ten years.  Over six million people are on life-saving AIDS medicine at this time as scientists continue the fight to find a cure, and better prevention and treatment.  The struggle goes on.  Young people continue to be infected.  But things are better.  The Good Samaritan Children’s Home is no longer full of AIDS orphans.  Of course there are some, but they are no longer the majority of children in the home.  And for that we at FAF can be thankful.   

MEMBERSHIP

The membership fees for FAF go to our organizational expenses:  office supplies, postage, and materials to make items for sale.  Your dollars prevent worry about the small stuff so FAF can concentrate on our mission: to improve the lives of children and widows of AIDS in Kenya.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP--$20.00,  FAMILY MEMBERSHIP--$30.00

SEND THIS FORM AND YOUR CHECK TO

FABULOUS AFRICAN FABRICS, 1158 KENSINGTON ST. NW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49534

NAME ________________________________________________________  PHONE ______________________________________________

ADDRESS  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

e-mailaddress________________________________________________________

PREFERRED METHOD OF RECEIVING NEWSLETTER:  Web  ________

e-mail _____________ US Mail _________

 1
     
Dec 8, 2011
 
Dear Laura,

Provide School Shoes to Kenyan Orphans has just posted another update from the field on the impact you've help them make by giving $150.00 total from 3 donations, the most recent of which was made on March 16, 2011. Here's the unedited update from the field:

African Students Association donates to FAF
By Sheba Onchiri - Project Leader

Some high school and primary school kids

On Friday, 2nd December, 2011 East Lansing High School's African Students Association (ASA club) held a colorful performance at the McDonald Middle School in East Lansing, Michigan. Those who attended had a wonderful evening of fun as ASA members staged Africa country flags, rhythms, and fashions. At the end of the evening, ASA club donated $100.00 to go towards purchasing school shoes for high school teens residing at the Good Samaritan Children Home. FAF wishes to say a big "Thank You" to the ASA club members. As you already know, $100.00 will be enough to buy ten pairs of school shoes. Thank you again ASA for your philanthropy gesture

December 28th is coming fast--a time to remember the birthday of Anthony Salazar with our annual fund drive to provide emergency monies for the Good Samaritan Children's Home. We never know what the next need for the children will be. In the past there has been the need for food, malaria control, and shelter for a larger population of toddlers. During 2011 we invested the Salazar Fund in tuition needs for high school students. Teens were being kept at home because of the lack of tuition dollars. The 2010 combined Salazar Fund Drive and the drive to qualify for membership in Global Giving raised $5700 for tuition, sending six teens to high school.

With your help in 2012 the Good Samaritan Children's Home will be ready for the next emergency. Being ready to help brings us to honoring Anthony Salazar, loyal friend and helper,musician, dad, comedian, son, husband, actor, all-around great guy. And what a character as a teenager! He would have made fast friends with those kids at the Good Samaritan Children's Home. There is no better way to honor Tony's memory than to make sure a bright kid in need gets medical attention, a warm bed, a full stomach and a high school education. Every child deserves to feel safe in a loving community.

We know that times are tough, but a child at the orphanage needs you. Make out your check to Fabulous African Fabrics noting that it is for the Anthony Salazar Fund. Pop it in an envelop and send to

Fabulous African Fabrics

1158 Kensington Street NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49534

THE CLOTH AND THE MUD #47

FALL, 2011

NEWS FROM FABULOUS AFRICAN FABRICS

A 501 (c) (3) ORGANIZATION

727-946-5322,  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and www.fabulousafricanfabrics.org Laura Salazar, editor

Our Mission:  To support orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya .

COMING EVENTS:

October 7:  KENYAN CULTURE NIGHT 6-9 P.M. 

University Christian Church, 310 N. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing, MI. 

Join us and visit our table.  Food and Music.  $5.00 donation.

October 14:  FALL GARAGE SALE, 9:00 A.M. through 4:00 P.M.

  1854 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids

  Drop off Donations on October 13, 2:00-6:00 P.M.

October 16-23:  FAF DAYS AT SCHULER BOOKS AND MUSIC

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING.

                           Go to one of Schuler’s Grand Rapids stores.

                           Pick out gifts and books.  At the checkout counter tell the clerk

                           that you want your purchase to go to FAF Days at Schuler Books

                           and Music.  FAF gets 20% of your purchase!

November 11-12:  JUBILEE, First Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA.

                            Pass the word onto friends and relatives in the Spokane Area

November 12:  PAMPERED CHEF PARTY, 4:00 P.M. 

Kiri Salazar, Hostess.  Details will follow. Invite your friends.

December, All Month:  ANTHONY SALAZAR FUND DRIVE. 

Look for announcements.

NEWS FROM AFRICA:

THE GOOD SAMARITAN CHILDREN’S HOME 

The population changes rapidly, but this is the August 1, 2011 count:  189.

            Babies age birth to 3 years—21

            Nursery—15

            Primary school—110

            Secondary school—35

            Waiting to join Secondary school—8

Hunger is the primary cause of children running away to the streets and the reason impoverished mothers abandon their children, GSCH reports.

FAMINE

Kenya is affected by the current famine but is able to cope because of political and agricultural practices: but Kenya is greatly impacted by famine because they opened their borders to Somali refugees—especially Dadaab Refugee Camp, the largest refugee camp in the world.  Following are points I have  gleaned from “The New York Times” and other publications.  I give only dates if from NYT.  Check with me if you want more publication details.

The United Nations warns that the famine in the Horn of Africa could kill 750,000 people in the coming months, and tens of thousands have already died.  (9-18-11)  

Three weeks after the UN declared a famine, and despite several aid flights arriving daily, food had yet to make it out of the airport to a camp in Somalia just 100 yards away.  (Time Magazine, Sept. 5, 2011)

“There is no mood for [US]  intervention,” said one American official, who was not authorized to speak publicly.  “People remember what happened in the 1990’s.  This famine is not just about the Shabab’s blocking food aid.  It is about a broken state and the human wreckage it is causing. (9-16-11)

As Somalis stream across the border into Kenya, at a rate of about 1,000 a day, they are frequently prey to armed bandits who rob men and rape women in the 50-mile stretch before they reach Dadaab. . . . (9-25-11)

WORLD HEALTH

There is some good news in world health.  Since 1990 deaths of women in pregnancy and childbirth declined to about 274,000 from 409,000.   The biggest single factor is the education of young women.  (9-20-11)

Two new studies released recently add to the growing body of evidence that taking a daily pill containing one or two AIDS drugs can keep an uninfected person from catching the fatal human immunodeficiency virus. (7-13-11)

People with HIV who start their antiretroviral therapy as soon as they are diagnosed, instead of waiting for their immune systems to degrade, have a near-zero chance of passing the virus on to their sexual partners.  This is the AIDS vaccine we’ve been waiting for—a 96 percent drop in infection rates is far better protection then any actual AIDS vaccine could provide.  It has also now been shown that giving one antiretroviral pill a day to people who don’t have HIV but are at very high risk for catching it can reduce their risk by two-thirds or more.

 (7-28-11)

Health workers in Kenya now treat 24% more children with Malaria than before by using cell phones to reminding those on the ground how and when to give the drugs correctly.  (8-17-11)

NPR reported that there is strong evidence that men with money are more apt to spread AIDS than poorer men.

BOARD NEWS:

            At the September 17 meeting, the Board voted to support to The Good Samaritan Children’s Home in Nairobi, Kenya while dropping support to Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya.  This will be reflected in a coming FAF literature.  After six months of study, this decision was made because of the growing need at the GSCH coupled with WOFAK’s support from large influential NGOs.

            A Budget of $7150 for 2012 was passed.  It supports The Good Samaritan Children’s Home at a minimum of $5430.00.  The goal for the Anthony Salazar Fund is $1500.  The Global Giving goal is $3000. 

THE CLOTH:

            Dian Zahner is hosting a booth at the international holiday sale, Jubilee, in Spokane, Washington.  Dian is one of our artists and a great supporter of FAF.  Over the years she has raised at least $2000 for FAF through her textile talent and expertise as well as her work at Jubilee.  Thank you Dian for your faithful work and support of children in need.

TID BITS

        Parents’ Magazine reports that as newborns, babies in Kenya are given a name that describes their appearance.  They have to wait 40 more days for their “adult” name, which is chosen by their parents.

            New research shows that human language was born in Africa.

GLOBAL GIVING ACTIVITY:

            To date FAF has raised $6433.18 on its Global Giving Tuition Project

                        and $487.93 for School Shoes

            Many donations were made by people who have found FAF on

                        the web through Global Giving, bringing new friends to FAF.

            Global Giving is developing a Storytelling Project.   It sends interviewers from the organization to talk to local people who may or may not have benefitted from NGO’s.    Supported by the Rockefeller Fund, Global Giving calls this a “Yelp” for international development.  The object is to help NGOs discover what community members themselves find as the most effective solutions to the challenges the community faces.  To read some of these stories, go to www.globalgiving.org/stories.   Click over to storytelling page and read how people react to help from workers and donors like you.  Some Kenyan stories already appear on the website.

THE BOOK SHELF

            Nobel Prize winner, V.S. Naipaul’s The Mask of Africa:  Glimpses of African Belief (2010) takes the reader on an tour of 6 African countries in search of ancient thought and practice and how it affects life today.  The book gives a personal window into the lives of modern Africans and how they reconcile the contemporary with the ancient.  As always Naipaul provides a great read chocked full of side comments and human interest.

            Nicholas D. Kristof,  “Sewing Her Way Out of Poverty.”  The New York Times, Sept. 15, 2011.

            Nicholas D. Kristof,  “Just Look at What You Did!”  The New York Times, September 29, 2011,

MEMBER NEWS

            It is with great sadness that we record the passing of two faithful members:  Lora Lee Dole of East Lansing, Michigan and Joanne Obenberger of Three Rivers, Wisconsin and Indian Shores, Florida.  We will miss their love for the children of the Good Samaritan Home.

            Roger Ellis recently has been elected to the office of the President of the International Amateur Theatre Association.  Congratulations, Rog!

MEMBERSHIP

Member fees for FAF go to our organizational expenses:  office supplies, postage, and materials to make items for sale.  Your dollars prevent worry about the small stuff so FAF can concentrate on our mission: to improve the lives of those at the Good Samaritan Children’s Home.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP--$20.00,  FAMILY MEMBERSHIP--$30.00

SEND THIS FORM AND YOUR CHECK TO FABULOUS AFRICAN FABRICS, 1158 KENSINGTON ST. NW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49534

NAME ________________________________________________________ 

PHONE ______________________e-mail________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PREFERRED METHOD OF RECEIVING NEWSLETTER:  Web  ________

e-mail _____________ US Mail _________