Welcome to the Global Sojourns' Giving Circle Update!
Dear GSGC Members and Donors,
It seems that
everywhere you look, there are undertones of doom and gloom. But are
things really that bad? Last month, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian
Williams asked viewers to send in suggestions for good news. He
received thousands of responses. Each of us could have sent
plenty of good news to Brian.
Because of you, three grassroots organizations in Africa are making a difference in the lives of
young girls; teaching them to read, providing meaningful and empowering
dance training and supporting their dreams of a brighter future. Thank
you again and again for your generous support.
Linda Dee, Coordinator
Global
Sojourns Giving Circle
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Notes from
the Road: Visiting Livingstone and Cape Town
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Read Priscilla Macy's account of her time spent visiting Ray of
Hope, Tusa Munyandi and Jekeleza during March 2009. Click for the full story.
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Upcoming Calls/Conferences
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Thursday, May
21st,
3 pm Eastern
(269) 320-8100
use access code:
603003#.
Speaker: Priscilla Macy will talk about her recent visit to Cape Town and
Livingstone and the progress of the three organizations.
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Upcoming Giving Circle Trip
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Join GSGC in Africa-
August 2009!
Sign-Up Now and Save
 Many of you have expressed an interest
in visiting the three organizations to which GSGC donates. After a
successful visit last May, the itinerary is set for August 2009. Act
quickly to get a spot and save!
View the itinerary.
Click to see the 2008 trip summaries and photos.
Contact Priscilla
Macy
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Updates
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GSGC Social Change Book Club
Denver GSGC
members Amy Wood and Linda Dee began a book club in January, focusing
on reading for action. It has been a huge success. The maximum
number of members, each of whom pay $100 for 10 sessions to the college
professor book club leader, is held to 20 readers. Word about the book
club has spread throughout Denver
and there are already 8 people on the waiting list. One member
recently told us that she thinks about the book club constantly and
cannot wait for the next month's meeting. Another member rescheduled a
trip so she would not miss a meeting. The first book we read was
featured in our October 2008 newsletter; How to Change the World,
by David Bornstein. It told about ordinary people who did extraordinary
work in their respective countries and were honored by the Ashoka
Foundation. Until then, no members had ever heard of the
Foundation, but the next month an Ashoka Fellow from Kenya
was in town and many book club members went to hear him speak. We
all agree that the GSGC book club has already been a wonderfully
positive experience in our lives.
Rag Dolls to
Love
Before a
duffel bag full of dolls was delivered to Cape Town and Livingstone, it made a
stop at GSGC member Anne Larsen's preschool class. The dolls, mostly
from Barb Muczynski's Auburn Sewing Circle, received personalized
greeting tags that were made by the kids. This was a great way to
connect and involve different groups in a shared task and a good
introduction in giving for the young preschoolers. Now the GSGC and
Anne's class are waiting for photos of the recipients and their dolls
to be sent.
If you are interested in becoming involved with this project or
sponsoring a doll please contact: Paige Hasson 503-246-9691,
morkh1@comcast.net.
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GSGC Mission
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The Global Sojourns Giving Circle helps
individuals pool their time, talent and financial resources to improve
the lives of children and conserve wildlife in sub-Saharan Africa. Members make a direct, positive
impact while learning about issues in the region, connecting personally
with the projects, and forming community with other members.
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Members and
Donors Welcome!
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- All donations are tax
deductible
- 100% of your donation goes to
supporting projects
- Donations of $365 to $2,000 +
vote on projects to be funded, travel opportunities with the GSGC,
take part in educational calls, receive updates
- Donations of $35-$364: take
part in educational calls, receive updates
- Make checks payable to: The
Clarence Foundation, 678
13th Street Ste. 201 Oakland,
CA 94612.
Be sure to designate it for the Global Sojourns Giving Circle.
theclarencefoundation.org
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Book & Movie
Corner
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Mountains Beyond Mountains
by Tracy Kidder
This fascinating book tells about the work of
Dr. Paul Farmer, who is heading efforts to eradicate tuberculosis,
AIDS and malaria in Haiti,
Peru
and a number of other countries. He and a fellow Harvard student, Dr.
Jim Kim founded Partners in Health and have dedicated their lives to
helping others. See a 60 Minutes piece on Dr.
Farmer.
A Powerful Noise Live
This movie was shown in a number of select theatres nationwide on March
5, 2009. It may be hard to track down, but make the effort.
It is an inspirational movie showing three women who are making a
difference in their parts of the world. Website.
Have a book
or movie to recommend? Contact Linda sandyandlinda@msn.com
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Member Spotlight: Megan Woodard
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"Without knowing the reason why, Africa has been in my heart for quite some time.
When I was introduced to the GSGC, it sounded like a great
opportunity to connect with people who have been there and to learn
more about what is happening in that part of the world -- an
opportunity to connect on a more personal level than simply reading
books and news articles. I'm excited to be a part of the GSGC and
can hardly wait for the trip this summer and experience Africa for myself!"
Outside of her interest in Africa, Megan has always called the Pacific Northwest home, working as a financial
planner. Recently with her husband on permanent assignment in Virgina,
she is dividing her time between the two coasts, exploring life on the
other side of the country.
Megan also personally sewed a handful of dolls that were recently
delivered by Priscilla Macy to Cape
Town and Livingstone. Thanks Megan!
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Quick Tips
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Have your friends give a contribution to GSGC in lieu of gifts
for your birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion!
Also, If you are interested in hosting a GSGC wine tasting event, we
have developed a "template" that will help make the event easy
to organize. This is a wonderful way to have a get together with
friends and educate them about Giving Circles in general, and ours in
particular.
Please contact Linda Dee at 303-973-2928 or sandyandlinda@msn.com
for more information.
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A Note From Jekeleza
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A thank you note send from our newest organization in Cape Town after
Priscilla Macy's recent visit in March:
"We at Jikeleza would like to thank you for your kindness
and gentle way in which you touched our hearts. We could
have sat for hours and hours. We did so enjoy the time and
wish it could have been longer. We are all well and fired
up with lot's on the go , so many new interests and
visitors it is so amazing that we are so blessed with so
many wonderful people who show such a great interest in our project.
The Camp is high priority and it is all systems go
and hectic planning and tying up loose ends! The kids are
excited!
Much love and take care.
Regards to all at Global
Sojourns Giving Circle,
Marilyn and Edmund"
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Questions?
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Contact Linda Dee:
sandyandlinda@msn.com
(303) 973-2928
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 A special thank you to Alexandra
Hasson who not only volunteers her time to design our newsletter but
also designed and produced our website.
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