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| In this first newsletter issue of our New Year we acknowledge members of the Seedlings of Change global virtual community and its Facebook group!!
Together we make a difference when we choose to count our blessings, live Life with purpose, from the heart and participate in People helping People!!! |
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Seedlings of Change global community members Joan and Jorgee Douma
January, 2010, a brand new year! My goal this year is to practice gratitude, for all I have in life at the moment, and for what I hope and plan to attain during the year in an effort to improve mind, body and spirit and experience all life has to offer. If I can just remember to stop a moment and to be thankful for my blessings, then I know deep in my heart and soul that more positive and uplifting "people, places and things" will always be just on my horizon.
As a single woman living on my own with my daily companions, my dogs, Jorgee, age 14 this year, Luna, almost nine months, and Sweetie, my very independent cat, I am reminded constantly that ALL of us are just beings, doing the very best we can at any given time, certainly not perfection, certainly not me, nor my pets who help me to live "in the moment" as animals know no other way to exist and we can all take a lesson from them I believe.
I have a wonderful assortment of family and friends, gathered up over my almost 75 years, who provide on-going support wherever I happen to be at the moment, and I never, ever lose sight of having these loved, respected and admired people in my daily life. A good many of them are scattered around the United States and world due to the manner in which we met, during one of my travel adventures, or during the 16 years I spent in the Foreign Service, working in various countries and thus meeting Americans and foreign service nationals alike, wherever I happened to be posted at the time. I believe I have been given an extra gift of having met, and made close friendships with people I would not have ordinarily known had I not been doing the work and life I lived during this period of time. This leads of course to more travel and new adventures as I cannot simply go "next door" or "down the street" to share a cup of coffee with many of them and must make a determined effort to maintain these relationships.
As I enter into my 75th year of life in February I reflect upon how it has never been material possessions, or an occasional vacation, or other such event that has enabled me to have the wonderful life I have experienced but rather my family, friends, both human and animal, who have "walked" with me through thick and thin and helped me be the person I am today. My goal for 2010 is to enter my 75th year with hope, promise, and joy expecting, and thus no doubt receiving, the best life has to offer. Yes, I am a grateful woman today... Joan Douma, Napa, CA |
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Seedlings of Change global community member Haleh Shaheedy
You may recall our previous article about Haleh and her work with AYUDA. Their purpose is to treat dental needs of underserved children of the world! www.ayuda-inc.com
Haleh shares: We set up a dental clinic all around southern California once a month to treat underprivileged kids and once or twice a year we travel abroad to treat the underserved. This year in April, we are going to Panama, to three Indigenous tribes located in the northern part of Panama. These people have not seen a dentist and are in bad shape! We are each so blessed to be living in the U.S. and having everything at our fingertips.
When I go on these trips and return, I appreciate everything more and I am so grateful for all that we have; especially the dental care we have for our kids. In 2009 we traveled to Nicaragua and treated the dental needs of 1,250 kids and 200 adults in 4 days! The joy that you see in their eyes once the pain is gone is priceless.
AYUDA organization is nonprofit and runs on donations from people like you. The cost per trip are about $50,000. To help raise funds for AYUDA I have designed a "WORLD OF SMILES" bracelet. If you are interested in helping this cause please contact us any monetary donation will be highly appreciated. You can mail your donations in my name or AYUDA to my office address and if you need a Tax ID number please let me know and I will provide.
Haleh Shaheedy, DMD
19963 Ventura Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Email: Halehshaheedy@sbcglobal.net
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Kayunga, Uganda, East Africa
(TEACH - WOMEN INITIATIVE) thus The Education and Communities Health - Women Initiative based in Kayunga, Uganda, East Africa. The Director is Mr. Joseph Kajaye and the Chairperson is Ms. Suzan Nabujja. There are 16 women and two gentlemen in this group attached to St Regina Primary School and Vocational Institute. Their organization is geared towards identifying and working to uplift the status of women through income generating activities, supporting HIV/AIDS orphans at their project school, family training on hygiene etc.
  Seedlings of Change global community members Joseph Kajaye and Suzan Nabujja of Uganda
St Regina Primary School and Vocational Institute in Kayunga
Here is a lovely group photo taken at the children's Christmas party. In the photos are the children, Suzan, Joseph and members of the women's organization.
Suzan shared, "Rotary Club USA sent some support to the children in the school and other community members. They directed us to buy mosquito nets to prevent children from getting malaria those are some of the gifts we had for the children." 
Seedlings of Change global community members April Gragg and Wayne Smith responded to my December request on behalf of the children for clothing, school supplies, games and toys.
We soon found out the large postal International priority flat rate box isn't so large and postage to Uganda is $55.95! We each had fun gathering the contents; Valentine candies, cards, crayons, Princess and the Frog coloring pages and stickers, colored art papers, several tops, April and Shelby provided a wonderful assortment of small toys; stuffed bears, dolls etc.
April Gragg with daughter, Shelby Wayne Smith
At first I thought there was no way we could possibly fit all these items in this box then Wayne located a medium size storage vacuum bag. We placed all the clothes items in the bag, sealed it and attached the vacuum and like magic it compressed to just fit in the box! This package should arrive in 14 days and we look forward to see and share the photos Joseph and Suzan will share with Seedlings of Change!
The children's needs are ongoing and we would like to begin gathering items and prepare to mail another package to arrive prior to the Easter Holiday. We are requesting your help and participation in everyday People helping People.
Two protects that I look forward to knowing more about are:
On the water project; Suzan shares, "in Uganda there is still a problem of getting clean water."
On the sustainability project; Joseph shares, "we plant trees with the children alongside other crops."
 
What is Emoto Peace Project?
"With the picture book for children "The Message from Water", we would like to share a clue to realize world peace that we learned through the research on water in an enjoyable way. We are giving this book to the children around the world for free and hope that they find the importance of water and the true nature of us human beings. This effort is called "Emoto Peace Project". The name "Emoto Peace Project" implies our hope that each child who has learned the importance of water and the true nature of us human beings will be a drop and soon turn into a big river for peace. We would like you to help our project move forward. Thank you very much."- Masaru Emoto
 
Together We Make A Difference!
Financial donations can be made via the Seedlings of Change website www.seedlingsofchange.org
Seedlings of Change is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit donations are tax deductible for those living in the US.
To mail a donation check make your check payable to Seedlings of Change.
Address: Eveline Smith, Seedlings of Change, P.O. BOX 21, Lolo MT 59847 USA |
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| Prayer Request |
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An invitation to join in sending healing prayer energy January 15 to February 15, 2010!
Think about the People of Haiti and pray for their well being and for fast recovery and healing from this massive earthquake effect. We also urge you to pray and think about the animals that are also became the victim of this situation.
Just 5, 10, or 20 minutes every day or weekly commitment in consistent prayers and thoughts towards people of Haiti will bless and help create healing, peace and joy in our world.
"We are what we think. All that we are
arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts,
we make the world." - The Buddha
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We appreciate your support and all you can do to help Seedlings of Change be the modeled voice of change!
Click & Donate to Seedlings of Change
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Seedlings of Change Facebook group member Jennifer Lee Pryor |
Hello Everyone,
I hope you enjoyed Seedlings first newsletter in our New Year as much as I have in creating it to share with you...
Mark your calendars Seedlings of Change first annual fundraiser event is Saturday May 1, 2010! The Event takes place at the ELKS in Missoula, MT. We are intending this fundraiser to be a yearly event to take place the first Saturday in May it just so happens this year it appropriately falls on the 1st! There is much preparation; we will hold a silent auction, there will be entertainment, and a buffet. We are seeking auction items along with donations and sponsorship for Seedlings of Change first fundraiser event. Sponsors will be given recognition in advertising and promotion of this event locally and on the networks. We're looking forward to sharing the event details in the weeks ahead.
I am delighted to share that Seedlings of Change online global network and its Facebook group continues to grow in membership and evolve into a global community of people no longer isolated by distance, time, and geography. One of the wonderful ways this is being realized is through our creating Seedlings of Change Global Harmony Quilt of many colors as it is a tribute and symbol to our global unity in cultural exchange. We encourage everyone to participate and join this quilt group one need not know how to sew. The details are posted in the quilt group and FB group. There are some beautiful fabrics that have been donated by Seedlings of Change Global community members Kumud Singh of Chandigarh, India and Denise Jacobs of Paris, France! The first set of fabrics were donated by my mother Anna DePalma of Southbury, Connecticut. Anna doesn't yet have access to the Internet and feels it important to help Seedlings of Change with ways she is able in everyday People helping People.
Each member is clearly a unique and precious link in the bridge connecting our separate communities into one worldwide nation by our thoughts, words, and actions. As it is when one butterfly's wings move, it is felt halfway across the world so it is with our coming together in community we make the difference in co-creating a nation of people living the change in peace, love and gratitude, inspired by the arts, and empowered by the Internet. Membership is free to join and participate! Click to join in Seedlings of Change global community!
With much Love and Gratitude,
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