who makes your bag?

do you know who makes your handbag?  check this out...

Ellie's Run for Africa

Hey friends and family,

I am very excited about something, and I would love for you to help me out. Did you know that you can help put one kid in school in Africa for an entire year for $25?! $25 will buy them 2 uniforms, books and a pair of shoes. That's all they need to get an education for a year!!! Most of these kids WANT to go to school, but just don't have the materials they need. I realize that I can really make a difference, and I’m asking for your help. It is $25 one time--you don't have to commit to anything…just send $25. Easy enough, huh?

Here's a very short back-story. A middle school girl here in Nashville, named Ellie Ambrose, heard that kids in Africa couldn't go to school, so she made it her mission to make it possible for them to do so. She started a race called Ellie's Run for Africa, which I am planning on being a part of. In the last couple years, with help from folks like you, we raised enough money to put hundreds of children in school at the Calvary Christian School in Kibera, Kenya AND helped build 4 classrooms and a science laboratory in the same area at a high school called New Dawn. This year we are beginning the process of starting a trade school so that older kids can learn a trade, which is invaluable in providing for their future.

All this to say, I hope you will join me in this incredible opportunity. I'm asking you to put one kid in school. My goal is to put 10 children in school before Ellie's Run this Saturday, June 13th and then continue putting children in school after that. Your donation is tax-deductible and if you want more info on where that money is going you can visit Ellie's Run online.

If you are willing, there are two ways you can donate:

1. Visit my Ellie’s Run website and donate online…that is the easiest way!

2. Send a $25 check made out to African Leadership - ERFA with my name in the memo line (don't forget this part!). You can send the check to:

Ellie's Run for Africa
P.O. Box 150915
Nashville, TN
37215-0915

If you could email me to let me know that you are sending money that would be awesome. I love to track the progress, so doing this would be helpful!

Thank you so much for considering this opportunity!

Some things going on in Africa...

Here's your one-stop shop for some key things happening in Africa right now...

Sudan - President Bashir is indicted for war crimes...kicks out 13 foreign aid agencies and then says he is going to force the remaining foreign aid agencies out within the year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7950761.stm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090316/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_sudan

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-03-16-albashir-darfur-wont-need-foreign-aid-in-a-year

Kenya - The UN is increasing its food aid to Kenya after the recent drought and high food prices have affected the country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7951332.stm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/18/content_11032291.htm

Congo/Uganda - Ugandan army begins evacuating DR Congo after pursuing LRA rebels.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7945050.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iyPfi9TObvop_AdkoqR6et2tlHEw

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/16/content_11020941.htm

And, if you want more information about what's going on in Sudan, this was a good article posted on Yahoo several days ago...

Sudan wants foreign aid groups out within a year
By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press Writer

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudan's president said Monday he wants all international aid groups out of the country within a year, insisting they can drop off supplies "at airports or seaports" and let Sudanese organizations take care of it.

President Omar al-Bashir has already expelled 13 large foreign aid agencies, most of them operating in Darfur, accusing them of spying for an international court that issued an arrest warrant against him on March 4 for war crimes in the western Sudanese region.  He also shut down three local aid groups, including one of the largest local groups operating in Darfur. The United Nations said those expulsions would leave millions at risk of a humanitarian crisis.  Speaking to a rally of security forces in the capital, Khartoum, the president said all foreign relief groups should go.

"We directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to Sudanize voluntary work," he told a crowd of thousands shouting their support for the president and waving their guns in the air.

"Within a year, we don't want to see any foreign aid group dealing with a Sudanese citizen," al-Bashir said. "If they want to bring relief, let them drop it at airports or seaports. Let the national organizations deal with our citizens."

Al-Bashir didn't elaborate on his directive but was apparently talking about aid groups operating in all of Sudan.  The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court seeking al-Bashir's arrest accuses him of orchestrating atrocities against civilians in Darfur, where his Arab-led government has been battling ethnic African rebels since 2003. Up to 300,000 people have been killed and 2.7 million have been driven from their homes.  Sudan denies the charges and says the figures are exaggerated.  The government had warned that issuing the warrant could lead to spontaneous revenge attacks by enraged Sudanese, though it pledged to defend aid workers and diplomats in the country.  Sudanese officials said three foreign aid workers and a Sudanese man kidnapped for three days in Darfur last week were taken by a group seeking to retaliate for the court's decision.

At Monday's rally, al-Bashir again railed against foreign aid groups, which he accuses of providing the court with false testimony against him and his government and of profiting from the Darfur conflict. Sudan, he said, must be cleared of "spies and agents" who "trade" in the Darfur crisis.
He warned remaining aid groups to respect Sudan's sovereignty or "pay the price."  In recent days, government officials have stressed that the anger is particularly directed at private charity and aid groups and not at U.N. agencies.

Al-Bashir said Monday that his government is ready to fill the gap. Late Sunday, he attended a fundraising conference by private businesses and civil groups in Sudan that raised some $115 million in pledges for Darfur aid.  Al-Bashir appeared at Monday's rally in a military uniform and was flanked by his defense minister, intelligence chief and interior minister.  He praised his security forces, saying they were ready to defend the country against neocolonialists eyeing Sudan's resources.

"We know the road is full of risks," he said. "We know they will fight us and will continue to fight us. ... But would a leader with men like you be scared or be broken?"

Groups of security men raced to near the podium where al-Bashir was standing, waving their guns in support. Some shouted: "We won't be humiliated. We won't be insulted. We will not obey the Americans."

In recent rallies, al-Bashir had singled out the United States for criticism, accusing it of supporting the ICC and of committing crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

hey Atlanta...step into Africa!!!

From the World Vision site...

EXPERIENCE: AIDS TOUR

The World Vision Experience is an interactive, walk-through exhibit that will transport you into the heart of Africa and the life of a child affected by the AIDS crisis. The free exhibit combines a stirring audio tour with captivation photography to give you a whole new perspective on the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

World Vision created the Experience to highlight the impact AIDS has on children and to inspire and equip churches across the country to help turn the tide on this pandemic. A prototype of the Experience was launched in the fall of 2005. More than 20,000 people in 10 cities visited the exhibit. The current version of the Experience, created by World Vision with the help of a Seattle-based production company and recording studio, began its 80-city U.S. tour in August 2007.

Through the Experience, you can walk in the steps of a child affected by AIDS and help change the life of one such child.

Africa anyone?

Wow, I have had a growing desire to go back to East Africa over the past few weeks. I'm not sure if it's like a 6 month cycle with me or what, but it is getting stronger by the day. Let's see...Kenya last December/January...Uganda last May-July...yep. Time to go back.

So...how to get there. Why to go. Well, the why I don't really need. That is settled with "just cause I want to". But, I would like to go with a "mission", if you will. Last summer, I was able to live in Ggaba and experience life among the Ugandans. What an experience. I'm not sure I ever really decompressed from that trip, but I'm probably past the point where I could do that anymore. I just know that there is something about East Africa that tugs on my heart and on my mind...sometimes very forcefully, sometimes quietly.

I have always wanted to visit Rwanda and Burundi. I most certainly want to go back to Kenya and Tanzania (particularly another beach trip to Zanzibar...ahhhh).  And then...keep on going...there are so many other countries I want to travel to in Africa.  My goal in life is to eventually visit every country on the continent.

So, anyone ready to take a trip with me?  Deb?  :O)