BUY A “COURAGE” BAG, HELP A WIDOW- $15

COURAGE by CHISOMO IDEA buy on http://store.chisomoidea.com

While we love 5, 10, and 20 point plans and have a soft spot for organizational leadership, we are more inspired and propelled forward by simple, ordinary stories of courage.  Among all the people that could take trips with us to Africa, Vicki Hamill and Cathy Miller, ordinary women and mothers from Phoenix, Arizona, were the first to go.  They did a leadership seminar with University-age girls and inspired them to start making an impact in their communities.  We continue to be inspired by their courage.

Similarly, in Kwanjana [Malawi], there is a widow in one of our children centers who has volunteered with us for over 3 years.  When we talked to her in February 2011, she was about to be kicked out of the only home she has known for over 20 years.  In her own words, “I have seen so much change in the lives of these kids that even if I get kicked out, I will walk from however far, however long to make it back here and help out.”  Inspired by her extraordinary courage, we have created this micro-economic business to keep her hope alive.

HOW IT WORKS: We find an indigenous handyman or woman who can help teach the women how to saw and knit.  The women make bags and knit some hats and scarves.  We find them a local as well as an international market to sell their items.  Proceeds from the sales go to pay them for their business as well as finance their children center.

GET INVOLVED: Buy a Malawian bag from us for $20 only to help raise capital for this venture.  To pick up a bag, email melissa@chisomoidea.com or call 619-206-9804.

REMEMBER: While there is a place for aid, we believe that the best welfare program one can be provided with is a good paying job.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm and is filed under Currents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.