WHAT'S IN STORE?

"You don't write because you
want to say something
You write because
you have something to say"
F.Scott Fitzgerald

Dear Kindred Souls,

When I was first introduced to you, I fulfilled the mission of Choose To Care(CTC), the non-profit I founded 12 years ago to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the youth in need.  My thinking is that this will help them to stay in school,bring pride and joy. You are the 76 young girls at St Peter's Technical School, in Lamin, Gambia, West Africa. Each of you received proper footwear, that you said brought a smile to your face and relief to your feet. But I never knew I would continue my connection with you; that is until the news that you were lacking other resources, drew me right in.

In 2018, the remarkable people who attended CTC's yearly fundraising was asked to bring a pair of scissors.  After all, dressmakers in the making need their own pair of scissors.  Each guest came through and soon we had more than enough to go around for you, the 76 budding girls.  Sewing machines are also sparse, but the founder of the Pillars of Gambia, went to town to change that and got you a few more; she is working hard to have enough to go around. She also heard from you how unbearable it is working in the hot classroom, under that fierce African sun, and a fan would make life much easier.  And of course your 'fairy godmother' went to work to make that happen.

This brings us to the next project that I have dubbed: "The Whole 9 yards"  We want to see you make the cut.  We would like to give you, this global community of young women, a fighting chance to blossom in your own way.  This project will take the pathway of empowerment, built to teach you that you matter and it is important for you to take care of yourself, while giving to your communities.  We are introducing 3 platforms; nutrition and health, environment and plans to begin to gain a foothold in the working world.

You will lead the charge to research any problem you are faced with as a community, such as garbage strewn all around the neighborhood and find tactics to confront it.  You will not be left alone, 2 of your teammates will be chosen or will volunteer to help with the process of this project. Everyone will be learning together. Working along side with you providing you with the tools to be successful at school in the aim. So this is it in a nutshell again:

•  Investing in mother earth, taking care of the environment, finding ways to use the scraps generated in the sewing class, instead of dumping.
• Staying nutritionally fit, following a healthy lifestyle
• Managing a business 

Although what is laid out in front of you may seem a hard road to travel, have no fear, you will be well prepared and confident to take on this pathway.  Our commitment to you will not waiver. We will stay with you every step along the way.

Looking forward to continuous global unity.  Cheering you on to become stronger women, with the hope that you will empower others and yourselves to handle the situations  you are faced with.

Until we meet!                                                

KINDNESS BEGETS KINDNESS

Today I received a thank- you note from a teacher in Noble, Oklahoma, because Choose To Care (CTC) had donated to their classroom project through Donors Choose(www.donorschoose.org).
The teacher had requested shoes for her students, "help me give my students shoes to wear with soles and without holes!" she wrote.  According to Mrs. M, the teacher, several of her students could not afford shoes of their own. She called some of their shoes 'talking shoes'(when the sole flops free of the rest of the shoes); 'peek-a-boo-toes'(when there are holes in the front of the side of the shoes) or 'giant shoes'(when kids who were size 5 come to school in their adults size 11 shoes and just tie them really tight to keep them on) She spoke about a student who wore a pair of shoes held together with a binder clip.
"I've seen duct tape, string, staples and bread ties but the binder clip was a first for me" she stated.

In her thank-you for donation toward her Donors Shoes(the name she gave it)project, she talked about the students happy reaction on receiving a brand new pair of shoes.  The story of one of the students stayed with me,  This selfless child wanted to let someone else whom he decided needed shoes more than him have his. This young man, Mrs. M stated was wearing his mom's black boots that were way too big; he was sock-less, wearing his jacket as a shirt with nothing underneath and had worn the same pair of pants for several days in a row. The teacher not only provided him with his own brand new pair of shoes but he also received socks and a change of clothes and he was thankful.

This child even in dire need, understood the importance of kindness and was willing to sacrifice his own need to help a fellow student.  This is so heart-warming, I had to share.  I also find it fitting to share my poem also.

                                                  Easing On Down To Kindness Road

                                             She cried out to no one in particular
                                             Hoping anyone and everyone
                                             Would hear her plea
                                             "This is not a hard road to travel" she said
                                             "Come let me show you how
                                             Get ready for a journey down Kindness Road"

                                             Fret not if you come across a bump
                                             Here and there
                                             First timers may feel a bit sore
                                             But on your next round
                                             You will make it without a moan

                                            Just point to the way to Kindness Road
                                            She shows him, he shows another
                                           To the left, to the right, around the bend
                                           You can't miss it
                                           Any turn will lead to Kindness Road

                                          "What if I have a change of heart?" you ask
                                           Too late, says the Genie
                                          That's the wish granted to your fellowmen
                                          And it has spread like wildfire
                                          Any Street, Any Lane, The Alley, The Avenue
                                          Will take you down Kindness Road
                                          There you will find them
                                          Joyfully banding together
                                          For a kinder world
                                       
psw(from the Jump For Joy series)

JUST BREATHE! BREATHE DEEPLY!

I usually receive frequent emails from a multitude of organizations requesting aid; this includes the two organizations through which I sponsor six children in dire need, by monthly set contributions,  This small act has made a life-changing difference for these valuable children.

But since the corona virus outbreak, the correspondence has grown to such an urgent level.
I do get it!
Our busy routines have been interrupted and I sense that they are anxious that donation may slack off and they will not have enough to support these precious children.

Unfortunately, we at CHOOSE TO CARE (CTC) had to cancel this year's fundraising event because of this disruption. Instead, we have set up a GoFundMe Account. https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign-manager/edit/choose-to-care/choose-to-cares-fighting-chance-benefit/campaign

Yes, anxiety has crept into our lives because we are living in uncertain times.  These uncertain times call for special action.
Show Kindness  - reach out in whatever ways possible for you.
Find Humor - Humor is a balm that I swear by.
Mediate - This certainly quiets the mind
Play Music - Listen, Move to the beat

All the above activities have lessen the worries that can invade the mind. And a hot cup of cardamom laced chai is my go to beverage that raises my level of sanity. Let's take a deep breath.

Let's stand in solidarity!
Keep Faithful!
Stay Nourished!

Namaste!

SAVE THE DATE

Choose To Care's "Fighting Chance" Benefit Event will take place on April 4, 2020, at 3-6PM.

It will be held at Tribeca's Kitchen, 200 Church Street, NY,NY,10013.

                                                 
                                               

Join Us




*     To hear about opportunities created to help children in need
*      Mingle with the Devoted Donor Community
*      Enjoy the cuisine
*      Get a chance at a variety of door prizes.

More To Come!

                                          FROM     MY     HEART


                   Changing a life will be an honor and my lifetime journey



During 2019 Choose To Care(CTC) was able to be of service to 8 schools stateside and 2 overseas, fulfilling CTC's mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for children in need. We worked with  "Teachers Ask/Donors Choose"(donors choose.org), the organization that provides classroom assistance for teachers nation-wide.  We also spread our wings across the ocean to the Gambia, West Africa, where we continue to work with the boys and girls of St Peter's Basic School,making it our duty to provide resources to help them to get a start in life and be the best they can be. We got word that the girls in Chambellan, Haiti would like to play soccer and so we got to work to purchase the cleats.  We hope to get news of friendly competition between the boys and girls teams.

Thanks to you the valued supporters, who propel us to make strides that result in significant changes for the children, their families and communities. In this season of giving, the best gift of all, in my opinion is working together with you to bring joy to the children's lives and for this I am grateful.

In celebration of our 11th year of commitment to this ambitious cause I warmly invite you to support Choose To Care.  It is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who said: "Give what you have to someone, it may be better than you dare to think"  My sentiments also, no amount is ever too small; we welcome each donation with gratitude.

One Love!

GO BINDYA GO

                               Bindya was happy as a lark
                               High spirited with a smile
                               That shone as bright as the
                               Sunshine bursting from the skies

                               Her steps were quick
                               But she paused long enough
                               To throw a coin
                                In the pool of water in her path
                               This she used as her make believe wishing well


                                "What a lovely day"
                                  She called out in a cheerful, melodious voice
                                  Caring not, who stared at her quirky behavior
                                  She rocked to the beat of the music
                                  Blaring in her ears
                                  The deafening sound was no bother

                               She beckoned and nodded
                               To those who looked her way
                               "Join me" she shouted
                               "Recharge your spirits"
                                 As she cantered along
                                  There joining her was a line of
                                Believers,Hopefuls,Crusaders,Joyful Souls

                                 She looked back and her face lit up
                                 "That's the power of a smile"
                                 As she skipped and bounced
                                 Leading the way in a cheerful voice
                                 She and her followers sang
                                 To their hearts content
                                 "Oh wonderful and glorious world
                                 I will always embrace you"

psw(from the Jump for Joy Series)

Questions To Ponder
What do you think Bindya was wishing for in her make believe wishing well?
Those who joined her are labeled, what is the significance?
What would have happened if the Author had Bindya hurrying instead of cantering?
How would you sum up Bindya's attitude? What is her lure? Your take away messages?

A WINNING INITIATIVE TO KEEP MOTHER EARTH SAFE

The champions at St Peter's Basic School in the Gambia, West Africa have made a commitment to keep mother earth safe.  We sent the students a message about the destruction  of our earth and challenged them to do something about it.

We urged the winners to spearhead a campaign and form a club with their fellow students to tackle this imminent destruction and keep waste from landfills in their corner of the world.(Read May's blog: "Your Opinion Matters")

We received messages and photos of the students banding together to find solutions.  They posted messages, had broom in hand to clean up around the school and they have put on education programs and drama plays to spread the seriousness of this matter.  The ultimate goal is to get the community involved in this uphill battle.

This ambitious group of youngsters has produced the fact reaction we wanted.  I don't know about you but I am impressed. We at Choose To Care(CTC) will not only fulfill our mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need but will also encourage all our platforms, which are:

• Staying Physically and Mentally Fit With CTC
• Keeping Mother Earth Green
• Messages of Healthy Eating and Well-Being

We pledge to share information and answers to help reduce this waste, to give a helping hand to support this endeavor and to keep this enthusiastic momentum going.  As a result of this saving the planet vibe, I am sure the students will feel more confident working together.  I truly believe if change is what you want, do something to make it happen.  The actions of these kids will make a difference.  We should all take the plunge and get involved in something meaningful, starting in one section of the globe at a time.

I can't wait to see what next they are up to as their project come to life and they work to accomplish amazing things together.

Cheers Partners!