THE CLOTH AND THE MUD, NUMBER 33

SPRING, 2008

NEWS FROM FABULOUS AFRICAN FABRICS

a 501 c 3 organization

616-735-4109 and 727-946-5322

Our Mission: to support agencies working with AIDS widows and orphans in Africa and to educate others about the AIDS crisis in Africa

IMPORTANT DATES--APRIL 11, SPRING PARTY IN FLORIDA,

--MAY 4-10 SCHULER BOOKS AND MUSIC DAYS

--MAY 18, ANNUAL MEETING--DETAILS BELOW

In charity there is no excess. Francis Bacon

NEWS FROM AFRICA

Today I received this message from Charles Kaduwa, Program Officer of Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya in answer to my e-mail of last week. Here are excerpts. The support of FAF [$1000], that enabled us to purchase foodstuffs and other sanitary towels for women and young girls is just part of a big pool that we were able to attract. In total we have reached over 4500 women and children with relief foods, blankets, clothing and sanitary towels. In the course of these developments. . . attention has shifted from mere relief supply to recovery. With the peace deal that was signed by our Political leaders, alot has changed in terms of tranquility. We have now realized that our clients require recovery support. . . We have in mind almost 200 women whose small businesses, their only source of livlihoods collapsed. . . These clients now urgently require support to reestablish their small businesses or to till their farms and plant new crops as this is the planting season in Kenya. You mention that you have some funds that would support this course? This is extremely good news. We are able to support at least 100 women to restart their businesses or improve their farm yields by purchasing fertilizers and branded seeds.

On January 22 we received this message from Mercy Thuo of the Good Samaritan Home. In Kenya we have been hit by serious riots, chaos. There is lots of turbulences and tension all around. By Gods grace we have not been affected directly but many Mothers and children are popping in our center for help. Nevertheless we trust that we are going to recover soon. Pray for us and for our country.

The Kenyan Parliament passed laws changing its method of governance, making power shared between the party of President Mwai Kilbaki and his election opponent's, Raila Odinga. To date this compromise seems to be working, although Kofe Annan said, "The journey is far from over. . . Let the spirit of healing begin today. Let it begin now."

ROTARY GRANT APPROVED

Thirteen thousand, eight hundred dollars has been awarded to the Good Samaritan Hom in Nairobi, Kenya. The $6900 was raised by the North Dunedin, FL Rotary along with other clubs in their district. This amount was matched by Rotary International, headquartered in Evanston, IL. With the cooperation of a Nairobi, Kenya club, the Good Samaritan Home will receive $14,000. The funds are earmarked for high school tuition. Public high schools in Kenya require tuition of about $300 per year at a basic school. The orphans of the Good Samaritan Home recieve their elementary education on site. Through hard work and excellent teachers, many children score well enough on their exiting tests to enter high school. Every year it is a scramble to find enougth tuition money to pay for all of the deserving teenagers. Any additional monies will go to food expenses for the orphanage. FAF Executive Director, Laura Salazar, is a member of the Dunedin North Rotary.

That club dipped into their pockets again this February and donated $227.00 for aid to Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya so they could provide displaced clients food and supplies during the riot.

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The December 2007 Rotarian notes that a five-year study of people over age 55 showed that those involved in two or more organizations were 44% less apt to die than those who didn't volunteer. The only other activity more strongly correlated with lower mortality during that five-year period was smoking cessation. (p.64)

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THE CLOTH

With so many great artists/sewers working for FAF, there are always new items for sale to report. Sue Hallock, one of Grand Rapids MI's top quilters presented FAF with two beautiful table toppers, a riot of color and craftsmanship. As Pat Callan says about Sue's work, "She certainly can put colors together." Lucy Ramsaw continues to make her fabulous hats and purses, bags and blouses. Someone bought a blouse she made off my back last summer. I love it when that happens. You can order these items, too. Check them out on the website.

Gina May has showered us with about 50 hand made cards. This year she has stepped it up a notch by adding charms to the textiles and trims.They are so beautiful and smart I have framed two of them and expect they will sell as well as the cards. A well-known Dunedin calligrapher buys Gina's cards to show off her work. More humbly, I'm working out a design for a take along fabric blackboard to keep the kiddies busy this summer.

Sarah Butz is working with a class of middle school girls in St. Petersburg, FL. Inspired by the Good Samaritan Home DVD, they are making large banners for Convergence, the International Weaver's Conference to be held in Tampa in June and July. The theme of the banners will be GSH and the winter riots. When I talked to the girls they were moved by the children in need. As one of the teens said when I explained the riots, "That's not fair!"

We welcome a new artist, Joyce Wheat, from Fenton, MI. Joyce makes 7" by 7" zippered bags with a handle. They are just the right size for sewing gear, makeup, and even my camera. Maybe other guy stuff, too. Thanks for the great work, Joyce.

Don't forget that FAF still is going Green and has grocery bags for $4.00.

CONGRATULATIONS

FAF Board Member Sarah Butz has been named an Emerging Artist by the Florida Craftsmen Association. Sarah works in textiles, and her piece "Looking Over Your Shoulder," a complex cloth, was in the February Craftsman Exhibit. More recently Sarah and FAF VP Pat Callan both were in a Craftsman show on Chocolate, Necklaces, and Poetry. Pat's poem was accepted along with Sarah's necklace.

Thanks to everyone who worked on the FAF Garage Sale March 14 & 15. Despite changing the date and skipping between rain drops on the next weekend, we made $198.00. The 1 UMC Craft Sale raised $200.00. Thanks to Betsy, Pat, and Nancy Abbott, we had lots of help.

Pat Callan donated her big birthday to FAF, and her friends and relatives kicked in with over $300 to honor this beautiful woman. Pat is so much fun, so talented, and such a grand humanitarian. We could not ask for a greater VP of FAF. Happy __th Birthday, Pat.

Many members and friends have risen to the needs in Kenya this winter with generous cash gifts from Elaine Skelton, Betty Betts, Joni and Carl Kobernik. Gina May honored her deceased friend, Joan Peterson, who was also a FAF member.

APRIL 11 SPRING PARTY

"SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME"

Featuring Hugo's Famous Sangria

Bring a dish to pass and a friend. Spring is the growing season. Let's grow FAF. Rah! This is an open party, so come one and all, just please let us know so we will have food and drink enough for all.

April 11, 2008, 6:30 P.M. At the Salazars, Dunedin RSVP 727-946-5322

MAY 4-10 FAF BOOK WEEK

What better gift for Mom on May 11 than a book from Schuler Books and Music? Or one for you? Or for the graduate? Or for the bride? etc. Just go to either Grand Rapids Schuler Books and Music store that week and pick out a pile of books. At the checkout counter mention Fabulous African Fabrics, and 20% of your purchase will go to FAF. We love to read and we love Schuler Books and Music, we love FAF. Put it all together and we will have a great money raiser as we have in the past.

FAF ANNUAL MEETING MAY 17 2:00 P.M.

The meeting will be held at the Grand Rapids address of FAF. All members are welcome. Bring a dish to pass. Members will receive a written notification of the date and an agenda. Four new members have joined FAF this winter. Congratulations, new members.

BECOME A MEMBER OF FAF, ENCOURAGE A NEW MEMBER

Individual $20.00 Family $30.00

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Send this form to with your check to :

Fabulous African Fabrics

1158 Kensington St. NW

Grand Raids, MI 49534

BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEB SITE OFTEN. IT WAS A FAST WAY TO GET MESSAGES TO YOU ABOUT THE RAPIDLY CHANGING EVENTS IN KENYA THIS WINTER.

www.fabulousafricanfabrics.org