Welcome to the Global
Sojourns Giving Circle Update!
Dear Global Sojourns
Giving Circle Members and Donors,
Each autumn, I
reminisce about being a student and starting the new
school year; the excitement of meeting my teacher,
wearing new outfits, opening brand new books, gazing at
the decorated classroom walls and being ready to learn.
This is "a given" for most children in America. Because
of our Giving Circle, many children, especially girls,
can now attend school. Their experiences will be
different from yours and mine; there may be 50 or more
students in the class, the new outfit will be one
standard uniform to wear throughout the year, the books
will be sparse and well used, the class walls devoid of
posters or even paint, but the children will be just as
eager to learn as we ever were! And probably more
so! They know that an education is their opportunity for
a better life. Thanks to you, we are helping make that
possible.
Linda Dee
GSGC
Coordinator |
Giving Circle Trip in the Works
|
 Preliminary plans are
underway for the next GSGC trip. The June 2009
trip will include Livingstone, Zambia, Capetown, South
Africa and a "bit of the bush." This will be a great
opportunity for those who wish to return to Africa or
for first-timers and those who want to make meaningful
connections in their travels.
Click to see the
2008 trip summaries
and photos and
stay tuned for more details.
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Upcoming
Calls/Conferences
|
Thursday, October 23, 6pm Eastern
A general update/ overview for new members
led by the vetting commitee. Call: (269) 320-8100 and use
access code:603003#.
Upcoming Conferences:
October 12,
2008, 2nd Annual Global Sojourns Giving
Circle Conference, Portland,
OR.
 October 24,
2008, Giving at the Grassroots, 2nd Annual Giving
Circles Networking Event. Hosted by the Giving Circles
Network, Washington, DC. Click for more
information.
Misc.
The 2009 schedule for
conference calls: February, May, August,
October.
The 2009 schedule for newsletters:
January, April, July, October.
Please share ideas
for articles and speakers for our newsletter and
conference calls. We want to hear from you!
|
How am I Helping?
|
A brief overview of the
struggles faced by the people of Livingstone and
throughout Africa
 In the
Livingstone area, many people have been hit hard by
HIV/AIDS. This has left many children
orphaned and/or economically
vulnerable. Older siblings, aunties and even grannies
have been taking in the children. Traditionally in these
cultures, it is the adult children who take care of
their older relatives but due to the heavy toll from
HIV/AIDS, the opposite has happened. This has been a
tremendous strain on these caretakers, especially the
elderly who had not expected to work at this age and to
the young siblings who are trying to figure out how to
survive themselves.
The children are
in a precarious situation when
their parents are ill and pass
away. The caretakers are struggling to feed these
children, let alone send them to school. In Livingstone,
like most parts of Africa, the caretakers/parents are
required to pay for school fees, uniforms and supplies.
Many of the caretakers are struggling to be able
to do this and the children are at risk of
not going to school and ending up on the
streets.
Organizations like Ray of
Hope and T usa Munyandi
have staff/volunteers who
regularly visit the community, keeping a close eye
on who is really struggling
economically (and in other ways).
One of the programs that both of
these organizations developed
was to provide micro-loans to
the caretakers of these
children. Loans are given to select caretakers to help
them earn a living and support these children. They
receive training that helps them learn
business skills and they are able to open
savings accounts through these organizations and are
taught about money management.
By supporting these
organizations, we are sustaining communities and
families, ensuring children are able to receive an
education and transform their future.
|
Vetting Committee
|
Our Vetting Committee, comprised of Robin
Mason, and Priscilla and Peter Macy are carefully
reviewing the second year's round of applications, as
well as the year-end reports from the two organizations
we funded this past year. A third organization, in
Capetown, has requested funds and research is now
being done to learn more about its programs. GSGC
members will be able to vote on which organizations to
fund and the amounts to provide.
|
Spreading the Word
|
Recent Events in California and Colorado
GSGC participant
Sarah Williams hosted a South African wine tasting at
her home in Danville, CA in July that was attended by
GSGC founder Priscilla Macy, GSGC participant Angie
Inchauspe and Clarence Foundation Executive Director
Marc Manashil. In total, around 35 people attended the
well received event that featured a video presentation
about the GSGC's May trip to Africa along with a
slideshow about going on safari. The group
also had
fun tasting a few delicious South African wines. Over
$1,500 was raised to support the Giving Circle's
efforts.
Following Sarah's lead, GSGC Denver members Amy Wood and
Linda Dee hosted a similar wine tasting event in
September when Priscilla was in town for a conference.
Priscilla showed the wonderful, informative video
explaining the Giving Circle, that was developed by GSGC
member Heidi Bixby. All of the 30 people in attendance,
including donor Denny Gray, were extremely interested in
our Circle and asked plenty of questions. Donations from
the event are still arriving at the Clarence
Foundation's office.
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.
|
Doll Update
|
In our
previous newsletter, we introduced Rag Dolls 2 Love in
the hopes we could continue to send these cuddly dolls
to children in need in Livingstone. The picture at left
was sent from Tusa Munyandi of 5 year old Namukolo
Mumbela who greatly enjoys playing with her new
doll.
After putting out a call to all sewers to
help make the next round of these gender/ethnic neutral
dolls, we found two enthusiastic volunteers. Lynn
Findlay and Megan Woodard of SW Washington are sewing
away as we speak, happy to lend their skills in creating
a rare and needed comfort for children in
Livingstone.
Meanwhile, the Auburn Sewing Circle
is also busy at work, having already made fifteen dolls
to be sent. If you are interested in participating, this
is an simple way to make a difference for a child living
under difficult circumstances.
Interested? Learn more
about Rag Dolls
2 Love and Contact
Paige Hasson 503-246-9691,
morkh1@comcast.net
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GSGC
Mission
|
| 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. |
Members and Donors
Welcome!
|
- 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.
|
Book & Movie
Corner
|
How to Change the
World
By David Bornstein
"For anyone
seeking to expand their sense of possibility, to pursue
a challenging career path, or to discover a vibrant and
colorful landscape of activity that remains hidden from
view, this book will be both an inspiring read and an
invaluable handbook. It will change the way you see the
world."
-From HowtoChangetheWorld.org
|
Questions?
|
Contact
Linda Dee:
sandyandlinda@msn.com
(303)
973-2928 |
 A special thank you to
Heidi Bixby for recently producing a video for the
Giving Circle and for the use of her photographs in the
newsletter.
And thank you to Alexandra Hasson,
who volunteers her time and expertise to design our
newsletter. | | |
