MDG – Helping In Africa

Last year the Arts Committee at the Liberal Episcopal Church I attend had an exhibit on the Millennium Development Goals. It was our way of bringing awareness to these very important goals. For those of you unfamiliar, the United Nations put together a listing of goals and a time-line of 2015 to achieve them. They are (clicking will take you to the UN site to provide more information):

Recently I read Crunchy Chicken’s Blog and saw a very worthwhile project which ties right into these Goals. Providing hand-sewn “period” pads to help keep girls in school certainly helps promote gender equality and empower women. Click here for more information:

I emailed this link to a number of folks that sew (because I don’t) – one of whom thought it was a great idea she emailed it off to a number of her friends.

I also emailed it to the Rector of my church, and she thought it would be a great project for our church to take on. It not only fits into the Millennium Development Goals, but she has a special fondness for Africa, as she represented our Diocese in Africa just a few years ago, and is planning to go back very soon. I’ll keep you all posted on the progress.

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What Others Are Doing

I have been so impressed with what I have seen and heard recently with regards to environmental consciousness.

1. I noticed another Prius in the parking lot at church – that makes 4 (including the rector).
2. Talk has already turned to what to grow this year. Can we have a bigger and better garden? Can we start a small garden? What can be grown in containers on a small patio? What do we want to can? A group of people planning to work together on food growing and preserving.
3. On a similar note, folks asking if we can teach those folks who live in poverty near our church how to grow veggies in their yard. Give them small plants to grow and show them how to weed, water, harvest and prepare.
4. A friend told me he was giving up his car 5 days a week during Lent – allowing Sunday and a floating day to meet with clients and run errands.
5. A friend who recently moved out to acreage about 30 miles from me is getting chickens next week, and has already tilled a large chunk of land for veggies.
6. There are three others who are participating in Riot for Austerity with me (see link on side for info) – and we keep track of our monthly usages on a bulletin board.
7. One person told me he now carries a bandanna to use instead of disposable tissue for blowing his nose. (Remember hankies?)
8. The children’s sermon on Sunday dealt with the over-fishing of the ocean and the impact this has on the environment.

So, have you seen other changes in your neighborhood, church or school? What are folks doing? What are they saying?

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