October 10th, 2008
To Rwanda, with LOVE
Maybe a better title for this post would be “Putting it all in Perspective”. What a very scary week, what with the presidential campaign getting ugly and the stock market and financial outlook even uglier! And yet, we still have SOOOOO much when compared to most of the rest of the world. Oodles, really. Still plenty to give.
My dear friend Maryam wears many hats. She is a famous blogging girl, writer, boutique hotel owner, and Moroccan design specialist extraordinaire, but her most important and impactful hat (besides her mother hat), it that of traveling human rights advocate. Her latest trip to Rwanda is detailed on her mymarrakech blog, and you REALLY SHOULD read every post, starting down with the post from September 27, to get the full picture. But most of all you should read this one about Vestine (be forwarned, it’s disturbing)
After this life changing trip Maryam is actively seeking to raise funds for Vestine and 4 other Rwandan genocide survivors. To quote Maryam from her recent blog post
PS Eeek! Still $700 short for Team Vestine. Please, might you have $10 to spare? You can contribute via paypal to the following address: [email protected]. 100% of the funds will go to helping Vestine and four other genocide survivors set up micro-businesses so they can support themselves with dignity into the future.
I’ve pledged $500, which is about what I spent on my last big shopping spree to buy clothes that I coveted by didn’t really “need”. This made me feel infinitely better than tearing off those price tags….Please consider donating ANY amount, even if it’s just a few Frappucinnos worth. You can be assured that the money will go to directly impacting the precious lives of a few deserving women.
Related sidenote: I’ve been able to change the dates for the next trip to Marrakech to work on Maryam’s Peacock Pavilions from December to January 16-27. We have just a couple of spots left. If you are interested in finding out more about this amazing painting adventure, go here!
Copyright © Designamour
October 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Melanie,
You are a generous and lovely soul. So lucky. So lucky to know you and so is Vestine.
love,
m
October 11th, 2008 at 9:15 am
We have a large African refugee population here in San Diego that my sister works with, so unfortunately I have heard these stories for years. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to contribute to a specific face and story.