Postcard Project

Recently, a couple spent two months at AHOPE. They are now in the process of adopting a child from AHOPE. They worked with many of the children at the older campus and told us that the children loved learning about exotic places. They are requesting postcards from all around the world.

So what I am asking is that if each time you go somewhere or even from your own hometown, buy a postcard, write a couple of facts about the place on the back and send them to me. When I get a whole bunch, I will send them to this couple to take them to AHOPE and then I can take the rest personally when I go in June.

This is a great way for the kids to learn about the world while practicing their English and an easy way for us to help out!

Send postcards to:
Tiffany Jones
7213 W. Division, #1
River Forest, IL 60305

Just wanted to give a shout out to some recent donors.

Aunty Barbara and Uncle Bob
Darrell and Elaine Houmes
Ron Jones

and most creative: Silvia and Pat Shannon- I dog sat Gracie, and they donated what doggie daycare in OP would have cost! Thank you all for your support!

Fun Facts

Okay, so this is strange as I am new to blogging, but apparently once you've been tagged, you need to write 7 random things about yourself... that certainly is not a problem for me--- though Sarah dear, I know very few others who have blogs.

1. This love of the election started before I could vote. I did voter registration in my high school cafeteria, while I was campaigning for my friend's mom, who was running for some local office. She was going to save Lyman Woods from becoming a helicopter pad-- but alas I think the fact that she used to keep chickens in her backyard might have been the reason she lost.

2. I didn't eat cake on my birthday! Heck I didn't eat cake at all. I was the only 5 year old who had birthday pies. Birthday pies do not go over well with the rest of the five year old population.

3. I will stop whatever I am doing and watch the Anne of Green Gables movies on PBS. Yes there are several of them. Yes, I believe they were filmed in Canada, and are not terribly well made. But I loved the books and still get sucked into them whenever I see them. They are usually on during their fundraising telethon.

4. I spent a week canoeing in Arkansas. It was very "Deliverance" which we incidentally thought was a good idea to watch right before going. It was cold, and rainy, but my canoe never tipped.

5. I hate roses! Love most flowers-- especially daisies, lilacs and violets but I have this unnatural hate for roses.

6. I love Bon Jovi, I know that is an embarrassing thing to say, but I think I've seen him 5 times.

7. I am obsessed with Gale Gand. I know most of you are like who is that? She is a pastry chef and co-owner of Tru in Chicago. She is amazing!! I have all her cook books and I've met her-- she's funny and thinks you should eat what you make!

Andrea
Marianne
Nikki

Sorry I think that's as many as I know. And I'm not sure that I can now link you to their sites, but I shall try.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded

Okay, another book to put out there. Hot, Flat and Crowded-Why we need a Green Revolution and how it can renew America, by Thomas L. Friedman.
This was suggested by Claire on her blog- www.peepslovingbooks.blogspot.com and my friend Stephanie started it and insisted that I read it-- just started but needless to say, I believe it may become another obsession for me. Which might be healthy as I am becoming more and more wrapped in the election, as each day passes. I have CNN or MSNBC on pretty much from early morning to late night.. with NPR in my car.

Fundraising Ideas

My focus this upcoming year is to fund raise for my trip. It is pretty expensive to travel to Africa and I am responsible for my expenses as well as any additional supplies I bring to AHOPE or field trips while I am there.

Can you make suggestions for fundraising? Think of fundraisers that you have thrown or attended that were successful. Let me know your thoughts.

There Is No Me Without You

There Is No Me Without You by

Melissa Fay Greene

This is an amazing book that tells the story of Mrs. Haregewoin Teferra, an Ethiopian widow who opens her house to hundreds of AIDS orphans. It is a must read. Please read this book and comment.

Seriously this is an phenomenal book. I truly feel that you cannot read it and not feel that you need to do something to help! I would love to hear what you think.

TAKE ACTION FRIENDS!

I have never done a blog before or any kind of online journal. Though I admit to being addicted to several of my friends' blogs. After a lot of thought, much research and a several month application period, I am planning to spend next summer in Ethiopia. I will be volunteering at AHOPE Ethiopia- information about AHOPE is in the panel on the right of your screen. Huge thanks to my friend Claire for helping me set up this blog and to my friend Sarah for introducing me to AHOPE.

Why am I going?

That is a question that has been asked of me quite a bit since I made this announcement to my friends and family. I talk alot about making a difference and making the change you want to see when I am with my students. I am an elementary school social worker and I want them to do their part in making our world a better place, even if it is one peace loving 3rd grade classroom at a time. I've done a lot of reading about the global AIDS crisis as well as the role or lack thereof of the USA.

I believe in taking action-- and while I do not have the power to make our government change(although I certainly believe in supporting good candidates and voting!! GET OUT AND VOTE NOVEMBER 4th!) or have the finances of Oprah to build schools-- I wanted to find out what I could do. So I researched, cause I research and after a lot of soul searching for lack of a better word- I decided since I still have my summers off... I could spend a summer helping out at AHOPE. And that is how I look at it, I don't expect to change the world but I can do my small part in helping.

While of course I hope you will follow my journey and help me make it as successful as we can-- my wish for you all is to TAKE ACTION- vote, volunteer, help your neighbor, explain global warming, recycle, use resusable grocery bags, give to your favorite charity (or mine!!!)