Day Forty!

Day Forty has arrived! My lent "project" has certainly led me down many different roads and caused me to look at issues right in my own corner of the world and places a world away.

By blogging about the various issues I had hoped to become more informed about the world around me. I think I've not only become more informed, but more aware. Each day as I was searching out blog inspirations, I noticed things I hadn't seen before. I became more aware of how I used my time. Writing a daily blog post was not as easy. The issues required more research and more pondering than I'd anticipated. And I began pondering not just the blog issues, but also my personal life.

Time. It's something we all make choices about. I am notoriously poor at judging how much time I need to complete a task. A 1/2 hour set aside in the afternoon (during my girls' "rest" time") turned into 1 hour and into another hour in the evening. I became much more aware of how I choose to use my time. Writing a shorter blog post was often a choice to spend more time with my girls or my husband.

Personal Fulfillment. We all want to do something that brings us satisfaction and hopefully helps others in the process. I found it very gratifying to be expanding my knowledge and having the added challenge of packaging that new found knowledge into a blog post. This realization had me reflecting on what I do day-to-day and how I feel about myself.

It's been a great journey- intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. Perhaps, exactly what one hopes to get out of a Lenten discipline. And now it's time to move onto Easter. (And not just the indulgence of chocolate eggs!) Easter embodies HOPE. Easter says to me that I am not alone, that there is grace for my failures and that new life, hope, is in the most difficult circumstances.

So will I be back for another 40 days next Lent? I can't say for sure. However, here's a re-cap of the previous 39 days. 39 days of people offering Hope!

Day 1: Tiny Bundles @ Surrey Food Bank

Day2: Oak Ave Clothes Closet

Day 3: Thrift Stores

Day 4: Poverty: 25 in 5, Make Poverty History

Day 5: Full Day Kindergarten

Day 6: Downtown Eastside: Union Gospel Mission, First United

Day 7: DTES: Community Voicemail

Day 8: DTES: Knitting Grannies

Day 9: DTES: Teen Volunteers

Day 10: Wealth Beyond a Bank Account

Day 11: DTES: Sisterwatch

Day 12: (aka Day 31 B) Surrey Homelessness & Housing Society

Day 13: Monarch Place Women's Shelter

Day 14: Dating Abuse

Day 15: Community Knitter's Circle

Day 16: Gov't Spending: WorldVision "Gift" Catalogue

Day 17: Sarah Maclachlan: World on Fire Video

Day 18: Homelessness: Woodwynn Farms

Day 19: Me to We

Day 20: International Aid: Poverty.com

Day 21: TOMS shoes

Day 22: 30 Hour Famine

Day 23: Commitment (Tortise & Hare)

Day 24: AIDS in Africa: Stephen Lewis Foundation

Day 25: AIDS in Africa: Sex Ed & Funding

Day 26: AIDS in Africa: Mama Orphan

Day 27: Africa: Education Aid

Day 28: Microfinance: Oikocredit

Day 29: "Third World" definition

Day 30: Oxfam Hunger Banquet

Day 31: Habitat for Humanity: ReStore

Day 32: Fair Trade: Ethical Consumerism

Day 33: Fair Trade: Ten Thousand Villages

Day 34: Fair Trade: Peppa Bunny

Day 35: Third World Eyeglass Society

Day 36: Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Day 37: Social Media: Twestival

Day 38: Food Calculator: WeFeedBack

Day 39: Earth Day

Day Thirty-Nine: Happy Earth Day!

I spent a good part of today fighting my nemesis, the buttercup. I had no idea what a nuisance the buttercup was until I became a homeowner with a yard overrun by them. There is something very gratifying about weeding, but also very frustrating as those darn things keep coming back! We are trying to clear some space for a vegetable garden. The girls are excited about growing their own food. I'm just excited to clear out the weeds and hope that we might have some tasty homegrown treats spring up throughout the summer.

Are you one of the billion people worldwide celebrating Earth Day? http://earthday.ca/(Check out the great kids activities and teachers' page @ http://ecokids.ca/) I don't usually post about specifically environmental issues but today is a good exception. I believe that we are stewards of the earth- its animals, its plants, its resources and its people. Compassion for the earth leads to compassion for people, and vice versa. And out of compassion comes Hope!

So Happy Earth Day! Enjoy your earth, weeds and all!

Day Thirty-Eight:Chocolate Cake = Feeding Hungry Kids!

Chocolate cake, blueberries, soft-serve ice cream. Some of my favourite foods could help feed hungry children around the world. How you might ask? At http://www.WeFeedback.org/ the food calculator takes your favourite foods and their estimated cost and converts them the number of children that could be fed, then that amount of $ can be donated to help feed hungry children.

WeFeedback is a social media app launched by the World Food Program (a branch of the United Nations). The money raised goes to WFP school meal programs.

You favourite foods, helping to fight hunger and bring hope to the hungry!

Day Thirty-Seven: The Social Good!

Can you remember life before Social Media? Have you caught yourself thinking about your "status update" or next "tweet" throughout the day? Social Media has had its share of negative labels and press; cyber bullying, gossip factory, timewaster. It's about time that social media had some spin doctoring and let people know the good it can do.


Twestival (or "twitter festival") was spearheaded by Amanda Rose in 2008, when a group of friends in London decided to gather a bunch of their Twitter PR friends together, put on an event and give 100% of the proceeds to charity. www.twestival.com In 2009, it expanded globally and the rest is history! The idea is to TWEET the word through twitter, MEET at the event, then GIVE to the chosen cause.

This year's Twestival focus was local charities and was held on March 24th. Keep your radar tuned for details about Twestival 2012!

Catching Up!

I'm behind once again! Life just seems to have kept going and I'm running after it, feeling a little like I've missed the bus!

DAY THIRTY-FIVE: EYEGLASSES

For those of us who are also known as "four eyes" we probably have some. Those outdated eyeglasses, tucked away in a drawer somewhere. Maybe we had a bit of an eyeglass makeover, maybe our prescription changed, or if we're lucky, we just don't need them anymore (laser surgery?) It seems wasteful just to throw them out, so what can we do? Send them to the Third World Eye Care Society http://www.twecs.ca/ This organization will take your eyeglasses to developing countries where an eye care professional, who is volunteering their time, will perform an eye exam at a mobile clinic and distribute the necessary glasses. Imagine what an impact improved sight can bring! So dig around in your drawers and take those unused glasses to your optometrist's office and let them

DAY THIRTY SIX: Doctor, Doctor!

The post above got me thinking about professionals that volunteer their time and services abroad. I've always heard about Doctors Without Borders and wondered what they do. They are known worldwide by their French name, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Since 1971, these volunteer medical personnel (not just doctors but nurses, surgeons, etc.) are often called upon by the UN to respond to emergency medical situations in "areas of need". They focus on the immediate needs- vaccinations, administering primary healthcare (prescriptions, diagnosis), providing food for malnutrition, mental health care, establishing a supply of necessary medical supplies and drugs. They also help train medical personnel in the country, set-up sanitation facilities, provide special care for mothers-to-be and children, rebuilding medical clinics and hospitals. http://www.msf.ca/ MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for their great humanitarian work.

There is a movie based on the stories of MSF doctors in Liberia and Congo. This documentary points out the less-glamorous moments and heartbreaking decisions that make up the day-to-day life of the doctors in the war-zones. The movie actually gets some playtime in Vancouver at the Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour). Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders www.imbd.com/title/tt1294182/

Another 3 in 1! Fair Trading

So here I am once again on my day of "rest" updating my blog. When starting this blog I really anticipated that I would just write a little introduction to the topic and include a link & "bippity boppity boo" instant blog gratification! A checkmark in the to-do column and everything's good. I underestimated the complexity of the issues I've looked into (I suppose if the issues were simple someone would have come up with a solution) and the time it takes to sort it all through in my head and then package the info neatly into a blog post. I appreciate the feedback from you readers. It's encouraging to know that as I've explored a variety of issues I've hopefully offered hope and inspiration to others, or at least another moment of procrastination as you surf through facebook.

DAY THIRTY TWO: ETHICAL CONSUMERISM
Fairtrade, Green, Recycled, Upcycled, Shade-Grown, Organic, Grain-fed, 100 Mile Diet, Dolphin Safe, Oceanwise, Hybrid, Carbon Neutral... the list goes on. There are a mind boggling number of terms out there when it comes to being an "ethical consumer". As a result of crossing paths with so many websites regarding poverty I've become more aware of how I spend my money and how those decisions can affect others.

What is Fairtrade? The fairtrade movement actually started in the 1940's and 1950's with a Mennonite group importing handicrafts from Puerto Rico. This group later became Ten Thousand Villages. In the 1950's Oxfam began selling handicrafts from Chinese refugees which inspired shops such as Worldshop in Europe to open. It was in the 1960's that the movement really gained momentum and expanded to items such as; tea and coffee, cocoa, sugar and nuts. The idea was to expand these items to the mainstream while cutting out the middleman so that the producers kept a larger portion of the profit.

Inevitably, labeling of FT products became an issue. In 2002 an International Fairtrade label was established by the Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO), the blue and green one, with Canada and the US adopting another (the black and white one). In order for products to qualify as Fairtrade they need to meet the following standards:
- grown and harvested under international fairtrade standards which monitor the social and environmental factors
- have the supply chain monitored for social conditions (no children, a healthy and safe working environment) and sustainable environmental practices

These measures hope to ensure that a fair price is paid to the producer, that their product and production is sustainable and that some money is shared with the wider community for projects such as; medical clinics, sanitation improvement and schools.

Fairtrade is not without its critics. Some critics worry that current market values are not reflected in the actual prices of FT produce, due to crop production taking 3-4 years (or more) to yield results. They also worry that FT economic practices don't create an authentic market that takes into account the role of competition or the realities of the rural economic system, where a majority of the products come from. These oversights create a market failure and weaken the ability of the FT system to fight poverty. Others suggest that the FT label is really just a marketing ploy to get consumers to buy the products and prop up the economy of the local producers. Despite the critics, the Worldbank conducted a study of FT in 2006 and concluded that the FT system is effective.

So what's a consumer to do? Before you throw your hands in the air and run out to the nearest Walmart, take a deep breath. Just by raising your awareness of where your goods are produced and further considering the culture and living conditions of the producers you are using your consumer dollars wisely. Those in the Fairtrade loop encourage consumers to not only consider Fairtrade but the concept of Trade Justice. Trade Justice seeks to create an equal partnership between producers, importers, shops, the labeling organizations, and consumers. One way to get involved in Trade Justice is to participate in World Fair Trade Day on May 14th. Check out this link for more information: www.wftday.org It won't cost you anything but will increase your awareness, and that is at the heart of becoming an ethical consumer.

DAY THIRTY THREE: Shopping in "The Village"
Ten Thousand Villages has been a leader in bringing fair trade goods to the consumers (aka the developed countries). The website not only provides unique and interesting products but also has some more information about fair trade. www.tenthousandvillages.ca Click the "fairtrade" section on the top toolbar of the page and find out about the World Fairtrade Organization (WFTO) principles of fairtrade, as well as "10 Reasons to Support Fairtrade" and personal stories.
(I will also add that when shopping for gifts it's a great idea to think of not only the artisans located around the world but also those located in your own community. So the next time you are in your own "village" boutique ask for items made by local artisans.)

DAY THIRTY FOUR: Oh Baby, Baby!
Speaking of gifts, I came across a great baby gift awhile ago. On the day my first niece was born I was so excited and wanted to buy a gift right away. I was in North Vancouver and found a baby boutique on Lonsdale (wish I could remember which one!). In the store I found the Peppa Bunny Doll. The saleswomen extolled the virtues of the doll, especially the little knots that act as the doll's limbs and a soft teether. This really appealed to me since my six month old daughter was chewing on anything that came near her mouth at the time. She also told me that the doll is stuffed with sheep's wool which absorbs Mom or Dad's scent. It is also created using Fairtrade practices. www.babysbestdesigns.com/peppa_bonding.php Peppa Bunny has become a hit with my niece. She loves her pink bunny so much my sister-in-law found a "Pseudo-Peppa" as a back-up!

Day Twelve... aka Day Thirty-One B!

So I'm a little short on time today. Canucks game. Meeting, etc. Anyways, I was looking through my posting list and noticed that I actually missed Day Twelve. Skipped right from eleven to thirteen. So today is kind of a bonus post, "Thirty One B" (although it sounds a little like a bra size).

I was doing some research for a grant writing group for our church building project and came across the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society. http://www.surreyhomelessnessandhousing.org/

They are strategically targeting projects that address the needs of the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless. Being a suburban area with it's share of urban issues Surrey is on the right track to direct significant funds towards safe and affordable housing for its residents!

Day Thirty One: Spring Clean Up!

It's Spring Clean-Up week in Delta. I have a love-hate relationship with clean-up week. I admit that I drive around with one eye looking out for a sidewalk deal, but I'm also amazed by all the junk that ends up curbside. And I mean junk.

There are lots of broken plastic items and electronics (I saw the garbage guys trying to fit an old school 50" TV into their truck). When looking at the heaps of junk, it is a good reminder to me to consider the quality of items that I purchase so they don't end up, broken, on the curb in a couple of years. Spilling on the sidewalks, there are many items that shouldn't be out on the curb- mattresses, building materials, electronics. It makes going for a walk with my little sidewalk scroungers very slow, as they need to stop at every little pile to inspect the "goods".

The part I love about Clean Up week is the element of recycling. Still-good items can find a new home, instead of ending up in the landfill or cluttering up a basement or garage. It's been suggested that communities schedule Curbside Recycling Days more frequently. These days would allow folks to put out still use able furniture, appliances, building materials etc. (although owners would be responsible for hauling them back again). What an easy way to recycle household goods!

With so many people doing renovations there is a lot more waste being produced. The ugly vanity, the hideous light fixture are all deemed trash able. But wait a minute, one person's trash is another's treasure (as seen by the pick-ups loaded to the brim cruising the streets during Clean-Up week). Many of these items can be re-purposed through Habitat For Humanity's ReStore. www.habitat.ca We've used the ReStore for many of our projects around the cabin with great results.

Habitat for Humanity's mission, since 1976, has been to provide safe and affordable housing while partnering with people and businesses in the community. They've been in Canada since 1985 and completed 1,800 homes. Worldwide they've built over 400,000 homes for more than 2 million people! Keep up the great work, habitat! And keep your eyes open for that curbside treasure, or just vist the ReStore!

Day Thirty: Looking at the World with New Eyes & an Empty Stomach!

There are some experiences in life that make us look at the world in a different way. Often these moments come to us spontaneously and unplanned. Perhaps in the form of a chance meeting with a stranger, an image in a photograph or movie, the haunting words of a story or song. Other times it is an intentional experience; a mission trip, helping out at a soup kitchen, an inspiring sermon. No matter how we experience these moments it opens our eyes wider to the world and we are able to "see" things we haven't seen before and to act with compassion.

A "Hunger Banquet" is one of those intentional moments that have moved me. I haven't actually participated in a formal Oxfam Hunger Banquet. Oxfam.ca or actfast.oxfamamerica.org. The Hunger Banquet is set up to reflect in inequities of the world. Nearly 1 billion people go hungry even though there is enough food produced world-wide to feed everyone. At the Hunger Banquet the guests are randomly divided into three groups: a high income group (15%) who eat a delicious and nutritious meal, a middle income group (25%) who eat a simple meal of beans, rice and water, and a low income group (60%) who wait in line for a meager bit of rice and water. An MC then leads the group in some discussion about what life is like for each of the groups and a group discussion follows allowing guests to reflect on their experience.

I've experienced my own version of a hunger banquet. I've staged a similar experience for my students and VBS groups. As the kids enter the space I divide them into three groups- one sits on nice comfortable chairs, one on benches, and another on the floor, many "No fairs" are voiced. I proceed to tell the groups about the approximate world income groups that they represent and areas in the world that might fit into those groups. Then I take various topics: food, water, medical care, transportation, education and give the kids pictures or symbols that reflect the realities for the various groups. For example: For food and water, I give each child in the first group a box of cereal, a juice box and some plastic fruit & veggies, I give the kids in the second group one box of cereal and a jug of water with a few cups, and in the third group I give them some leftover crackers and a bottle of dirty water. I then explain a little bit about the quality of nutrition and how many meals each group would get each day and how they might find their water. For education, I give out notebooks, a textbook and pencils to each child in the first group, a pencil to each child in the second group, and the kids in the third group get a few pencils to share. I then give out pretend money- $1000 to each kid in the first group, $10 to each person in the second group, and loonies to a only couple of the kids in the third group to represent future earning potential.

At the end of the "banquet" the kids in the first group have so many things that their laps are overflowing and many of their items are sitting on the floor around them. Each time I do this activity it is a visual reminder to me of just how much I have. Too much. A reminder of the inequity that exists in the world. Each time, I have a renewed sense of gratitude and eyes that are open a little wider looking for ways to share the bounty of my banquet.

Day Twenty-Nine: "Third World" politically incorrect?

Have you ever wondered where the term, "third-world" came from? Lately, I've noticed that I haven't heard "third-world" being used as often as it used to be. I began to wonder if I've missed some semantic shift and was stuck being politically-incorrect. So I turned to my friend, Wikipedia to find some answers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_World

I was surprised to learn that the term originated in the 1950's during the Cold War and referred to the countries that were not aligned with the capitalists countries (first world) nor the communist countries (second world). These countries were often former colonial states and had underdeveloped social, economic and political systems. The French demographer, Alfred Sauvy, who coined the term had said, "...the Third World is nothing, and wants to be something."

In recent years the term has been questioned. I would suggest that "third world" has a negative association with it. It seems to put struggling countries into a lesser category and dooms them to always be disadvantaged. The term "developing countries" is perhaps more accurate. It portrays a more positive outlook. And a positive outlook inspires hope!

Day Twenty-Eight: Making Social and Financial Sense!

It's tax time and I have been procrastinating. Not because I think the CRA will take more than their fair share, in fact, I should be getting a decent tax return. I just hate doing data entry. I have piles of receipts for my home daycare that have been carefully stuffed into folders ready to be sorted and tediously entered into a spreadsheet. Sounds like a lot of fun, right?

I stumbled across a concept that might intrigue the accountants out there. How does an investment that gives a consistent 2% return and no investor has ever lost a penny of principal or interest sound? Pretty impressive. How about if I told you that the investments have helped over 17 million people world-wide? What company could this possibly be? It's not a "company" at all. It's Oikocredit.

Oikocredit is a micro finance cooperative. For 35 years Oikocredit has been giving loans to people in the developing world allowing them to build better lives for themselves and their families. www.oikocredit.org What a great way to empower people and fight poverty!

*On the website there are some great videos which tell the life-changing stories of some recipents. There is also a section with facts about Oikocredit in Western Canada.

Day Twenty Seven: No Such Thing as a Free Education

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."

- Nelson Mandela

*photo courtesy of USAID (Sorry about the formatting, after adding the picture it deleted all the paragraphs, 3 edits later they are still lacking!) Waking up early in the morning, putting on a school uniform and spending the day learning- elbow to elbow with other children is a privilege, a dream. Many organizations, such as the World Bank and UN, recognize the value of free schooling. In fact, the UN has pledged to provide free primary education (FPE) worldwide by 2015. Some studies in Africa, have shown that children who stay in primary school have a 40% less chance of contracting AIDS. Although most Africa countries have free primary education families must still supply their children with a uniform or appropriate clothing and shoes, school supplies or even pay additional feeding or building fees in order for their child to attend school. Once children get to the secondary level school fees apply (an average of $25 per term, with families earning about $30 per month. In Canadian terms, that would be roughly $9,000 per year for a family that earns $60,000) making higher levels of education out of reach for most Africans. For orphans, free schooling aside, education is just not accessible. FPE is provided in all African countries with the exception of the Congo, Chad, Sudan, Angola, Gabon, Cote de Ivorie, and Cameroon. A worthwhile endeavor, it comes with significant challenges. When FPE was introduced there was a lack of planning for physical and personnel resources at the government level. - As enrolments soared the current infrastructure was overburdened. Some areas were able to build new school buildings complete with teacher housing and toilets, some areas just constructed or converted existing buildings into school "structures". - There is usually a severe lack of furniture and school supplies (a lack of basic notebooks and pencils let alone, grade or subject appropriate books). - Class sizes are often reported to be 45:1, 70:1, or even 98:1. - Some countries decided to hired unqualified teachers to meet the demand. Many "teachers" say they took the job just to avoid unemployment, which contributes to a negative public perception of the teaching profession and poor parent-teacher relationships. Contributing to the lack of qualified teachers is the AIDS epidemic which decimated the number of professionals in the mid-2000s. It is also a challenge to pay teachers a decent wage, even the trained ones, and there is often a lack of teacher supervision or opportunities for professional upgrading or development. All of these issues have contributed to a low quality of primary education and an increase in private schools for the rich. Ironically, at the expense of quantity the quality of schooling has decreased and there is a high drop out rate. Thankfully, there are a large number of organizations that help address the critical needs surrounding education in Africa. I looked into the following: - African Children's Trust in Ethiopia (based in the UK, focusing solely on building schools, providing support for vulnerable children, training Ethiopian people to carry on the work in their country) http://www.a-cet.org/ - Education Africa in South Africa http://www.educationafrica.com/ - Education Uganda (a group that trains Ugandan teachers in an interactive teaching model using slates/blackboards which has shown to improve the quality of teaching) http://www.educationuganda.org/ - A US funded education program (supporting teacher training, school supplies, water/sanitation) http://www.usaid.gov/ - Aid for Africa, a program specifically targeting girls and providing scholarships for schooling beyond the primary years www.aidforafrica.org/girls

Education is powerful, but quality education can make a world of difference.

Day Twenty-Six: The Real Heroes of AIDS in Africa

I am so grateful that I have both my mom and mother-in-law close by (as well as dad and father-in-law). They are so helpful taking the girls for special outings, acting as babysitters, and offering their support. I know that if something happened to either myself or Jason the grandparents would take them in a heartbeat. I know my children would be looked after & have many opportunities ahead of them.

When I think of 14 million AIDS orphans I can't imagine the burden on the family members left behind. It is often the grandmothers who end up raising the children. They are often in poor health, not able to work, and living on meager resources. Their child raising days are behind them, yet they graciously make lunches, mend clothes and take on more household duties. They are the true heroes of the AIDS crisis and victims at the same time.

Now consider the story of Monica Odour. She lives in Busia, Kenya on the border of Uganda. In 1996, she felt called to invite 6 orphaned street children to live in her home. She had 6 children of her own at the time and was trying to run her own business too. Nonetheless, the word began to spread and more orphaned children arrived. Soon she became known as "Mama Orphan". Today, Monica has 100 orphaned children in her care. She has not only opened her home but her average sized property now houses a "dormitory"/the main house, a dining hall with kitchen and a small "school" building. Monica still has some of her own children living at "home" & the grown children help with day to day needs of the orphanage. What great love and compassion she and her family have for Kenyan orphans. kenyanorphans.org

For Mama it is a struggle to put food on the table, clothe the children, pay for their schooling & pay for needed medical care. Within Kenya there is a stigma placed on AIDS orphans and many schools don't even want to take orphans. She often needs to find a new school for the children (as well as have uniforms made & even then they are turned away). Still, Mama perseveres & with a lot of prayer & support from the Kenyan Orphan Children Foundation she is providing not only food, shelter and an education for 100 orphaned children but love, care and a place to call home.

Day Twenty Five: The Wrong Type of Sex Ed = No Funding!

While researching AIDS, I came across "the world's most popular AIDS website"- AVERT.org. It is full of AIDS facts, news, and videos from around the world. I found a thought-provoking article about HIV prevention and sex education. The full article is here: www.avert.org/abstinence.htm

Sex Education has been a hotly debated since sex "education" became a part of the school curriculum. The parties divide themselves into two camps, Abstinence Based (i.e. Aspire, Love Waits) vs. a Comprehensive approach. Recently, programs combining the two have been developed, an "abstinence plus" approach (seen in programs such as Reducing the Risk and APAUSE- Added Power and Understanding in Sex Education). So what do sex education approaches have to do with AIDS in Africa?

Since 2003 PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) has given $18 billion dollars to addresss the international HIV/AIDS crisis. If you were paying attention to the date you would notice that it was George W. Bush and the Republican administration that initiated the PEPFAR organization. President Bush was also synonymous with Abstinence Education programs. Put two and two together and one would conclude that a majority of PEPFAR money goes to countries that promote abstinence-only (i.e. Uganda, Botswana, South Africa). That is exactly the criticism facing PEPFAR. (Of course, President Obama will have a different agenda since he's cut federal funding in the US for abstinence-only programs in favour of a more comprehensive approach.)

Eighteen billion dollars can't be argued with. A lot of lives have been saved with this money. The PEPFAR organization has been a significant contributor in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and virtually eliminating it in the US. However, funding based on the sex ed program "du jour" in favour with the current presidential administration leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The pragmatic voice in the back of my head considers that in order to save lives a sex education program must be used, and that comes with it's own set of values, tied to the values of those who are the source of funds. Then again, perhaps I'm just too naive to expect a humanitarian program to consider human needs and lives over being politically correct.

Day Twenty-Four: AIDS: A Death Sentence

It seems that we all know someone who has been affected by cancer. My prayers goes out to those battling cancer as well as their families and friends. And my heart goes to those who have lost someone dear to them to cancer. I don't want to diminish the grief and impact cancer has. But can I say the same of AIDS? To be honest, I don't know anyone, personally, who has died from AIDS.

When I look at AIDS in Africa I am stunned by the inequity of the situation. Here are a few AIDS facts (2010, Stephen Lewis Foundation & 2011,UNAIDS):

- 33.3 million people in the world are infected with HIV/AIDS, 68% are in Africa! Ninety percent of affected children in the world live in Africa!

- In 2008, there were 2 million AIDS related deaths world-wide, 1.4 million were in sub-Saharan Africa! (Roughly, 76%)

- In Africa alone, EVERY DAY 5700 people die of AIDS (~1400 children) & EVERY DAY there are 6800 new cases of HIV/AIDS (~1500 children)! (*To put the number above into perspective, on the Titanic- 1500 people lost their lives, on 9/11 5000 people lost their lives. Every day in Africa, a major tragedy is occurring.)

- 1 in 20 adults in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by HIV (60% are women, most aged 15-24).

- There were 14.1 million AIDS orphans in 2008 (*children who have lost lost 1 or both parents), there are only 8 million children in Canada. (Today the # is estimated to be close to 18 million orphans).

For a visual punch, check out the video at the Stephen Lewis Foundation site entitled "Diagnosis". www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/diagnosis.mpg

It is clear from these numbers that everyone in Africa (specifically sub-Saharan Africa) can say that they know someone who has died from AIDS. That they personally, have been affected. Like the "Diagnosis" PSA describes, an HIV/AIDS diagnosis is essentially a death sentence. In "wealthy" countries anti-HIV drugs are commonplace and significantly improve the quality and "quantity" of life for someone who is HIV positive. The ethical question of drug companies making anti-HIV drugs widely available to Africa is an issue I won't tackle today. Nonetheless, the AIDS epidemic requires significant funds to create a level playing field in the area of drug accessibility. The Canadian-based Stephen Lewis Foundation http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/ takes on fundraising as well as providing support for public education, grief counselling, and the basis necessities for orphans and grandmothers (the unsung AIDS heroes).

There is hope. Since the peak of HIV infections in the mid-90's to the peak of AIDS related deaths from 2000 to 2005, many sub-Saharan countries are reporting a decrease in persons affected with HIV/AIDS. It will still take a lot of money, education and activism to "turn the tide" on HIV/AIDS in Africa. www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/whatyoucando.htm And a long, long time before people in sub-Saharan Africa can say they have not been personally affected by AIDS.

Day Twenty-Three: Failed Again!

So here I am again, in the wee hours of Sunday (ok, 9:30pm isn't quite the wee hours but I'm feeling that tired!). I missed another day of blog posting. I actually thought of skipping "Day Twenty-Three". I've even thought about wrapping up the whole blog thing & forgetting about the 2nd half of lent. It comes down to commitment. Commitment to anything is hard work & will inevitably hit a rough patch. Exercising. Dieting. Marriage. Giving up a bad habit. Blog writing.

When looking for some inspiration where should one turn to? Wikipedia of course! Wikipedia defines personal commitment as: interaction dominated by obligations. These obligations may be mutual, or self-imposed, or explicitly stated, or may not. Distinction is often made between commitment as a member of an organization (such as a sporting team, a religion, or as an employee), and a personal commitment, which is often a pledge or promise to ones' self for personal growth.

No personal growth can come when we take the easy route. I suppose I would have been more tempted to skip a day or give up if I hadn't had the blog online. So thank you facebook "friends" and others for keeping me accountable and on track (even if I this is a day behind). At the end of Lent I will be able to say that I did have "forty days of links for hope and inspiration". Forty days of links, yes. Hope and inspiration, you can decide for yourself. For me, I've not only been on a journey inspiring both my heart and mind, but also exploring perseverance, commitment and even personal growth.

Someone once said, "There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses." No excuses. Day Twenty-Three done.

And for those technical folk, I didn't actually include a link. So here's one for you: it is a link to a cute Tortoise & Hare story produced by a group of school children in Bristol, UK. We all know the story- slow and steady wins the race! (Brilliant that the story is painstakingly done in clay-mation & I love the accents to boot!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX58CTA_VQE

Day Twenty-Two: Cravings!

Lent is all about cravings. The hankering for just a nibble of chocolate, a sip of a Starbucks latte or the latest Jack Donaghy insult from an episode of 30 Rock. The cravings pick a fight with our self-determination yet remind us of the sacrifice we've made.

I don't know if it's a coincidence, but the Worldvision 30 Hour Famine is being held on April 8-9th, in the middle of Lent! Did you know that the 30 Hour Famine is the largest youth fundraiser in Canada? Last year, over 100,000 teens participated. http://www.famine.ca/

As a teen, I fondly remember participating in the 30 Hour Famine. It was a big sleepover with lots of fun activities and yet, by the time the 30 hours was up, I was literally famished! Usually, there would be a pizza "banquet" at the end of the event to satiate any hunger pangs. The feeling of being really hungry was short-lived but did give a tangible experience to identify with those who live all day and night never feeling full.

These days, when I feel hungry I get grumpy. Really grumpy. Some might even call it- HANGRY! In those hangry moments I have a short-temper, I can't be reasoned with (or think rationally) yet, there is usually an easy solution. A walk to the fridge, a stop at a drive-thru, or a snack from the purse. When my children are hungry they resemble wild, drunk animals (Disclaimer: I've never actually induced or witnessed wild, drunk animals. It is merely hyperbole.) They make strange whining noises, they claw at one another and run around crashing into things. There is no doubt that hunger is an unpleasant experience. Living with hunger has many consequences and is tied to issues of lack of sanitary water, access to healthcare, and education.

So, try to track down a teen participating in this year's famine. You will have the choice to direct your tax deductible donation towards; food & nutrition, education, water or child protection. And if you can't find a participant you could always buy a snazzy ethically crafted t-shirt from the website or donate on-line! And the next time you are HANGRY and are able to satiate those hunger pains, take a moment to be grateful and consider those who are not as fortunate.

Day Twenty One: Walking A Mile Without Shoes!

I love shoes! Looking in our mud room & in my closet is a reminder of how blessed I am to have multiple pairs of shoes. I also love a good deal.

I've recently discovered eco-shoes. All too often I've bought shoes that are a "great deal" only to bring them home and have them turn out to be uncomfortable or fall apart after merely a season of use. Shoes that can stand up to use, are made in an socially & environmentally responsible way and are comfortable & stylish to boot (pun intended) are my new holy grail!

(Today, I was looking at the mall for summer sandals for my girls & trying to find brands that fit the eco-criteria & my budget. No luck on the budget end. So I came home & started surfing the web. I came across TinySoles.com. They had lots of sustainable brands at a reasonable price, free shipping to Canada and amazing customer service! Kudos to you Tiny Soles!)

I've only recently heard of TOMS shoes. They take environmentally & socially responsible cobbling to a new level. Tomsshoes.ca has a "One for One" policy. For every pair of shoes sold they will donate a pair to a child in need. As of September 2010, TOMS has given away 1 million pairs of shoes! *My personal favs are the wedges & canvas, cord or glitter classics.

One pair of shoes can make a world of difference in the life of a needy child:

1) On the most basic level, they protect the feet from painful cuts and bruises & infection.

2) They prevent diseases from entering the body through bare feet . Shoes = health

3) Children often need shoes to attend school. Shoes = an education = a future

TOMS is hosting "One Day Without Shoes" on Tuesday, April 5th! onedaywithoutshoes.com The website has some great info about how TOMS does their shoe give aways & more details about the difference a pair of shoes can make. No shoes in BC in early April? But it's likely to be cold and wet? What if I step on something? What will people think? Then again, that's likely the point.

Day Twenty: (The Half-Way Point!) Chalk Another One In the Socialist Column!

So once again, I have not posted on a day I was supposed to. I've been down with a stomach bug for 4 days! It seems unfair since my girls both had it for 12 hours (kept me up at night then woke up raring to go the next morning!) The journey through lent inevitably leads us to Grace. We may work hard & have the best intentions but we always seem to come up short. Lately, I've been considering how fortunate my children are. They didn't do anything to deserve to be born into a family with a roof over their head in a wealthy country full of opportunities for them. When I was pregnant with my first daughter we traveled to Jamaica for a family holiday. This was actually my second trip to Jamaica, I had visited once before on a cross-cultural/Missions trip in high school. On my first trip, we were involved in a building project & interacting with the people in a small town tucked away in the hills. I was struck by how generous and lively the Jamaican people were and how lavish my life back home seemed. On my return trip to Jamaica I became one of the tourists, living lavishly, while people in the hills just a stone's throw away lived without power, working hard (if they could get a job) and living on simple provisions. As we drove through the hillsides on a minibus tour, I saw Jamaica through new eyes. The eyes of a soon-to-be mother. I noticed the women, especially those who were pregnant or with babes in arms. Young, malnourished, the burden of running a household and bringing in what money they could. I remember considering my unborn child & contrasting the life she would have with the destiny of those young children. They did not get a choice who their parents would be, where they would live, the health & nutritional challenges they would have, the many other opportunities they wouldn't get. There is such inequity in the world. Many anti-poverty groups have demonstrated that there is enough money and food globally that no one needs to live in poverty. (Do I hear echoes of socialism?) In September 2000, the 189 countries of the United Nations unanimously agreed to “spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty,” specifically hunger and the “major diseases that afflict humanity.” At Poverty.com it outlines how 22 of the world's most developed countries have pledged to give 0.7% of their national income in international aid (or $195 billion a year) to end poverty worldwide. So far, only 5 countries have achieved this goal. Canada is way down on the list, not even having a pledge to reach the 0.7% goal (or 70 cents for every $100). The 2009 stats show that Canada only contributes 0.3% (or a pathetic 30 cents for every $100). Given that it's election time, it is an opportunity for Canadians to make international aid an issue. Talk to your local candidates and find out who supports increased international aid. We didn't get to choose our fortunate circumstances, but we can choose to share what we have and have a say in who makes those decisions on a national level.

Day Nineteen: From Me to We

After yesterday's post/rant I think I've touched on something that really annoys me. The attitude that "it" is someone else's problem. We may not be responsible for causing the issues but we can definitely be part of the solution.

When I think of an organization that embodies passion, idealism, and compassion I think of Me to We. metowe.com This organization was started by Craig and Marc Kielburger (also of Free the Children) and seeks to make changes in the world (primarily by making smart choices with our consumer dollars). We to Me has definitely caught on with youth and inspires not only teens, but families and individuals to action.

"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Ghandi
If we all embody this change, can you imagine the hope we can give to the world?

Day Eighteen: The Homeless & Organic Veggies

Today's post, like many others, has me ranting out loud. Fortunately, it's not just my kitchen appliances that are my sounding board. My husband is home on Spring Break and willingly gives me his ears. While in Victoria, we were watching the local Shaw News channel (nerdy yes, but informative) about an innovative idea which combines a century-old farm with a therapeutic centre for the homeless.

Woodwynn Farms is the vision of the group Creating HomeFulness lead by executive director, Richard LeBlanc. http://woodwynnfarms.org/ The group has purchased a 193 acre organic farm in Central Saannich [on Vancouver Island] and hopes to convert it from a former cattle farm and the present hay farm to an organic produce farm. They hope to start with 12 street persons and grow to 96 street persons (plus 24 staff) housed on site. This project is based on a similar project in San Patrignano, Italy which saw over 1,500 lives affected with a 70% success rate. Brilliant. Innovative. What could possibly stand in their way?

Well, a few minor details. NIMBY-ism (not in my backyard) and bureaucracy. Not so minor details. In order for the farm to have on-site housing, therapy rooms and a larger building to sell the produce it must undergo a variance to the zoning. Currently, it is zoned for agricultural use as part of the ALR (agricultural land reserve). It seems that the Woodwynn Farms project would fit all that criteria. They hope to offer locally grown and produced foods. The "dorms" and mess hall would be low impact (likely a trailer type) & energy efficient. Over the initial 5 years, the project would house 500 people and provide on-site therapeutic programs. Yet, on March 21st, as Richard LeBlanc was set to give an informational presentation to the Central Saanich council, a councillor made a preemptive motion to reject the group's application outright. Bound by rules of order, the council took a vote. Three voted to reject the application, 3 voted against the motion (and 1 abstention due to a conflict of interest). Since it was a tie, the project will go to the planning department for consideration. All this could take months, perhaps years. All because of fear.

In the meantime, Woodwynn Farms plows ahead. In the fall of 2010 volunteers planted 350 fruit and nut trees. They have been growing, baling and selling hay for the past three years and currently have 4 street persons working on the property. For all the support for the farm there is certainly a battle ahead. In reading the "comments" under a few recent newspaper articles it seems that the NIMBY attitude prevails. The comments fall under a few categories, here are my responses to their concerns:

1) Keep the homeless in Victoria! Many people feel that homelessness is not their problem, they live in Saanich for a reason. Don't they know that the "homeless" are likely their neighbour's child or grandchild. It's not likely that their new neighbours are going to be folks with a violent criminal past... not like the half-way house I'm sure is located somewhere in the Saanich vicinity (since the Victoria area has the largest number of parolees per population in BC).

2) Cost. Many people are saying that the financial burden of supporting this project will cost the taxpayers too much. They may not realize that a 2008 study by UBC estimated that homelessness costs $55,000 per homeless person per year. It is estimated that Canada spends $4.5 to 6 billion a year on services for the homeless. All. Taypayer. Money. Would you invest your hard earned dollars into an innovative program that could have a 70% success rate or go with the status quo? Besides, this project will give its neighbours the bonus of organic veggies.

3) Zoning- you knew it when you bought it! Many folks criticize the HomeFulness group of being naive that they could just change the zoning. "They should have bought a place that had the zoning they needed," writes one commenter. I would guess that this type of zoning just doesn't exist. Anywhere. I am sure that the good people who developed the ALR in the mid-70's did not forsee this type of development. The OCP (official community plan) for Central Saanich makes maintaining agricultural lands a priority, especially those which are economically and environmentally feasible. The OCP also supports diverse housing (including social services and transitional housing) as well as "responding to changing social needs". So it would be surprising if the planning department can find a way around their own OCP.

4) Redundant! One naysayer also pointed out that, in his opinion, Woodwynn Farms is redundant since a similar facility exists in Hope Farm near Duncan. mustardseed.ca/ministries/hopefarmhealingcentre/ Hope Farm is definitely a similar project. It is housed on 36 acres and offers facilities and treatment for 10 men at a time. Can the island not provide this type of experience for more than 10 people? Perhaps, the island needs 2,3,5,even 10 more Hope Farm/ Woodwynn Farms? *an interesting note: my mom and Hope Farm's Manager, Mike Burdge, went to high school together! Who knew?

No matter how loud I rant, my appliances just don't care or take action. Woodwynn Farms has a letter writing campaign, under "write a letter" located in left column of their home page, to help gain support for the re-zoning. I offer my kudos to Richard LeBlanc and volunteers, as well as the visionaries behind Hope Farm and the Mustard Seed who are part of the solution to homelessness. Whether we like it or not, homelessness affects us all & all of us can be part of the solution. So, I need to wrap up what's become a lengthy post and get writing... it's definitely more productive than yelling at a fridge and stove!

3 in 1: Back from a Hiatus!

*Usually Sunday is a day of rest. However, this Sunday I am back from a bit of a hiatus. We had a great family Spring Break vacation to Victoria & we were traveling light (no car, no laptop, so no blog posting kind of light!) So today you will get 3 posts in 1! Day Fifteen: Knit Wit We've been thoroughly enjoying Spring Break. Last week we were exploring the new River Market at the New West Quay. It's a great looking space with only a few fun "stores" (ie. Vancouver Circus School, Pedagogy Toys & Bloom Art Studio) by summer it should be lively and hopping with excitement. The art studio specializes in classes for kids, but the owner also has a social conscience. (http://bloomartstudio.ca/a) Kimberly Chiem has decided to start an Occasional Knitter's Circle on Friday nights. She hopes to create a communal quilt that will be donated to a local women's shelter. What a great way to combine a handicraft hobby with concern for the community. Day Sixteen: Government Spending at its Worst! (and millions of goats) So the election has been called. I can think of many things that Canadians would rather be doing on May 2nd than voting in yet another election. When checking out the Elections Canada website I was annoyed to see that their tagline is, "Shape Your World". I doubt that this election will be shaping our world. It will be costing the taxpayers a ridiculous amount of money. In 2008, Elections Canada spent $325 million (this included reimbursable expenses to candidates, producing election material and public awareness campaigns, and paying for the training and salary of election workers). Did I mention this expense is ridiculous? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a democratic society but I think federal elections in 2004, 2006, 2008, and now 2011 is pushing those limits. I can't help but think what that $325 million might be better spent on. A great way to put the electoral spending in perspective is to look at World Vision's "gift" catalogue. (worldvision.ca - sorry no direct link to the gift catalogue) It's amazing to see how far our dollars can go to impact lives. $325 Million could buy: 3,250,000 goats or 6,500,000 hens with 3,250,000 roosters or provide health and nutrition for 197,000,000 children in Ghana or sponsor 9.2 million children for a year! Just something to think about. Day Seventeen: World on Fire
One of my favourite videos of all times had been produced by Sarah Mclachlan. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0O2LMqnHGg) World on Fire points out the excessive amount the the music industry spends and how that money might be better spent. Just another take on spending our $ responsibly. Totally inspiring!

Day Fourteen: Let's Talk About Sex...

A week ago at the dinner table, my older daughter was talking about a little boy in her preschool class. I have noticed that they are often waiting at the same table at pick-up time. She was thinking aloud and said, "**** always wants to be with me, and I always want to be with him. (a thoughtful pause) So, I guess that makes us friends." My husband and I had to stifle our grins. It was adorable. And so it begins.

While looking at the statistics for spousal abuse I came across statistics for dating violence. The Department of Justice has a very informative article about dating violence. www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fv-vf/facts-info/dati-freq.html

- 54% of high school students report dating abuse among their peers (In a 2000 study of Canadian Males aged 13-17 67% report being abusive to their partner. A 1995 study in Quebec reports that 54% of females & 13% of males report sexual coercion in a dating relationship. And if those stats weren't distressing enough, a Canadian Campus Study of 7,800 university aged students reports 28% of women admit to being sexually abused in the past year [prior to the study], and 11% of men admit to abusing a dating partner in the prior year!)

- Most dating abuse occurs in the home of one of the partners & most sexual abuse occured while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

- 80% of girls who are abused in a dating relationship continue to date their abuser

- An abuser doesn't just become an abuser when they turn 19, it begins in adolescence. Half of sex offenders admit to committing sex offenses before they were 18

- Teens (& young persons) facing dating violence are at an increased risk for substance abuse, negative weight control behaviours, sexually risky behaviours, pregnancy, and suicide. *National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2001)

It seems that there is a fundamental flaw in our "sex" education (both at the school level and at home). Most people would be shocked if sex education did not include the hows (mechanics) and whats (what can lead to pregnancy or STDs). Teens might learn all about condoms and birth control, but how many are given guidance about creating emotional, physical and sexual boundaries in relationship and how to discuss these with their dating partner? I have always thought that sex education should be explicit. Not in the graphic sense, but in developing communication and emotional management skills and frank discussions about what a healthy relationship looks like (or doesn't look like).

Fifty-four percent of parents admit that they haven't talked to their children about dating abuse. Eighty-one percent said that they didn't know if it was an issue or didn't think it was an issue. As a parent, I'm going to be conscious of discussing relationship issues, including dating violence, with my children. In the meantime, Jason will be doing a couple of preschool pick-ups just to check out our daughter's new boy-friend.

Day Thirteen: A Chrysalis of Hope Amid Abuse (Monarch Place)

The winding road of Lent is taking me in a new direction. "Poverty Street" is a long road, and I may come back to an intersection later in my journey. After yesterday's post about the women of the DTES I have been thinking about their histories and what circumstances landed them on the DTES. When I look at my own daughters I pray for wisdom and grace to keep them from such a tragic place. The women of the DTES are not necessarily part of the cycle of poverty, many come from "nice middle class families" yet, somewhere in the past their lives took a turn; involvement in drugs, abuse, self esteem issues. So I am expanding my focus to women who face abusive situations outside of the DTES, situations that could be right outside (or even inside) our front doors.

Spousal Abuse (also Dating Abuse) includes:

• physical violence (hitting, shoving, restraining, slapping)


• stalking or threatening


• sexual abuse


• controlling or intimidation (hurting or threatening to hurt a pet, threatening to hurt someone else, threatening to commit suicide, destroying property or stealing money, neglect, exploitation or withholding finances)


• mental abuse (put downs, name-calling, insults, rejection, belittling, isolation

The site http://domesticviolencebc.ca/ has many good resources for those facing abuse, or know someone who is. *site focuses on women in abusive situations, yet offers very little for men.

Here are some statistics that paint the picture of spousal abuse (in Canada):

- There were 40,200 reported incidents making up 12% of all reported violent incidents. (As we can imagine, there are so many more incidents that go un-reported & when they are reported it is not the first incident of abuse in the relationship).

- men and women experience equal rates of physical and emotional abuse (6% and 7% respectively) however, women experience more extreme, repeated violence (83% of reported incidents of violence are women)

- homicide rates: 3x more women are killed by men, than men that are killed by a female spouse

- 1-2 women/ week are killed by a spousal partner (most often within 2 months of deciding to leave the relationship)

- same-sex couples report similar rates of spousal abuse


*Canadian Statistics 2007, Department of Justice

The effects of this form of abuse are far reaching (especially for children who witness these incidents). The Canadian Department of Justice has estimated the shocking financial cost to Canadian Society at $4.2 billion a year (2001). This number accounts for social services, education, the justice system, labour, health and medical expenses. (Nearly $800 million is spent in the justice system alone). And just remember, these account for only the reported incidents of abuse. BC will spend $46.7 million on services specifically for women fleeing abuse. I can only imagine the cost of spousal abuse in the United States.

So the stats paint a grim picture. And you ask, once again, where is the hope for the victims?

It is the front line staff of the transition houses and other social service agencies that offer shelter, food, basic necessities and, above all else, comfort and safety. When I worked as the Program Director for the Boys' and Girls' Club in Delta I had many eye-opening (& heart opening) experiences with the children, youth and families. One of my most poigniant experiences was getting a phone call from a teenage girl, a regular, who said they had to leave the home of her mom's common-law partner & flee to a transition home. A few days later, when it was deemed safe enough for her, her younger siblings and mom to return to the area, she expressed such gratitude for the people at Monarch Place (the transition house) for caring for them. The sense of relief and safety she expressed stuck with me. Now, as a mother myself, I can only imagine how it must have felt, for her mother, fleeing in the night with her 4 children & the courage that it must have taken. For women in critically abusive situations, Monarch Place is a chrysalis of hope. The hope of emerging into a new life free from abuse, fear and pain. http://www.monarchplace.org/

*I contacted Monarch Place to get a "wish list" of most needed items, they need to call me back. I'll re-post this information when I receive it.

Day Eleven: The Tragedy of the Women of the DTES

A notorious association with the DTES is the case of serial killer, Willie Pickton. He was convicted of killing 6 women (who were last seen on the DTES) & had another 20 charges (of which there was DNA evidence) & there are another 14 missing women are suspected to have fallen victim to Pickton.

It is not just the number of victims that is shocking, it is the lack of action by police that incites public outrage. Starting in 1995 there were women, most known prostitutes & drug addicts, suddenly missing from the DTES. The police did not take the missing persons reports seriously since many DTES residents are transient and often these "missing persons" would turn up in other cities or under a different name. Yet, during the years that Pickton was preying on women in the DTES, the residents knew that something much more sinister was at work, and still their cries (and the pleas of family members) fell on deaf ears.

Throughout the trial of Pickton many people made a lot of noise and raised awareness of the outright prejudice that exists towards prostitutes and drug addicts on the DTES. These women deserve safety and protection as much as any female lawyer who lives in an upscale condo in Yaletown.

Fast-forward to September 2010. A young woman fell to her death from a window on Hastings Street. Ashley's death is suspicious and once again, incited the outrage of her family, friends and the DTES community regarding violence towards women. It was the mobilization of the community that inspired the Vancouver Police to launch "Sister Watch". (www.vancouver.ca/police/organization/investigation/investigative-services/major-crime/sister-watch.html )
Sister Watch is a phone line staffed by specially trained civilian women. Sister Watch also has a speaker's bureau and conducts Town Hall meetings on the DTES. Sister Watch cleverly marketed themselves to the women on the DTES by having their hotline number printed on lighters. Lighters on the DTES are a hot commodity and so commonplace that having one (even with the Sister Watch contact information on it) does not rouse suspicion, unlike a business card. To date the Sister Watch hotline has been the source of many tips that led to the arrest of violent and vindictive drug dealers who specifically targeted women on the DTES. Kudos to the VPD for putting resources of time, energy and finances towards the DTES. And for the many officers who act with compassion for society's most vulnerable.

Sister Watch- hope from voices lost, and for voices who may only be able to whisper.

* It is worth noting that the home page of the VPD has very visible links to missing persons' files and information about their homeless outreach on the DTES. www.vpd.ca

Day Ten: Wealth That Goes Beyond A Bank Account

Tonight I'm putting in another late night post. As I sit here amid gift ribbons, balloons and tulle (it was a princess party) in the aftermath of my 4 year old's birthday party I am filled, once again, with immense gratitude.

We definitely don't live an extravagant life but we are wealthy. Our car is not new, our house desperately needs re-painting & our home is simple, none of the outward signs of being rich. However, we were blessed this evening to have a house full of aunts, uncles, little cousins running amok, Grandparents, even Great-Grandparents to celebrate the full-of-life child that entered our lives 4 years ago. My totally extroverted daughter was thrilled to have so many people around her & to whack at a pinata, laugh at a puppet show & run around on a dragon egg hunt. For her, this was the best day of her life! For me, it was a reminder of the riches we have in family, delicious food (thanks to my husband, the gourmand) & fun times shared.

With respect to Poverty, "poor" can go well beyond the borders of food, shelter and access to health, education and security. Poverty can affect every one of us no matter our financial position. It is the moments in life that fill us with joy and gratitude that make us truly rich!

Day Nine: Trading An ipod For a Soup Ladle

Today has been a busy day. I've been looking after 4 little girls under 4, preparing for a 4th birthday party for 25-ish family members at our house- cleaning, making princess tiaras, hiding dragon eggs, baking a "castle" cake & finally writing a blog post. I have to admit that right now, I feel more like crashing into my cozy bed than sitting at the laptop writing today's post. However, I am reminded that this is what Lent is about- persevering when it would be easier to give up. So with the help of some chocolate pomegranate candies, I'll get on with my promised story about teens on the Downtown Eastside.

In March of 2009 a group of 15 nervous and excited teens (along with 3 adults) left behind their ipods, internet and arrived on the DTES for a five-day missions trip. The teens, Grade 10 students from Lions Gate Christian Academy, had been preparing for their DTES experience for months; fundraising to cover their costs, attending information evenings & hearing from guest speakers. They were ready, but nothing could prepare them for the range of emotions and vivid images they were about to be confronted with.

Working with "Youth With A Mission" the five days unfolded like this:
DAY ONE: DTES Scavenger Hunt to familiarize the students with the area. For many students it was their first time actually walking around the Main and Hastings neighbourhood. In the evening, the students attended a presentation about human trafficking and prostitution in Vancouver. "This was a very eye-opening and emotional experience." says my former teaching partner and amazing friend, Amy Wilson, the teacher who coordinated the trip. "Emotions ran high from anger to frustration. The students learned about the various organizations working to put an end to trafficking and discovered that, as long as there is breath, there is hope." This phrase would be a theme running through their experiences over the next few days.

DAY TWO: Chili Wagon Day! The students got to roll up their sleeves and help on the front-line. They chopped veggies, stirred chili and baked banana bread along-side former DTES residents & Gordie who started the "Chili Wagon". www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV-_1XH_int4 After 9 hours of kitchen work, the students took the hot meal to Britannia Park to share with 50+ people. They were able to chat with many Chili Wagon "regulars" & heard their life stories.

DAY THREE: The students toured some of the temples and worship sites of various religions to see how they care for the community & learn more about the diversity of the city.

DAY FOUR: The students were asked to pose as a homeless teen at various locations around Vancouver (Gastown, Granville Street, Robson Street). So they just sat, and sat, on the sidewalk and experienced what it might be like to be homeless. That evening's debriefing session went late. The teens had so much to say, "People didn't want to look me in the eye when they walked by!" "Someone even crossed the street and then crossed back, once they had passed by me." "Someone gave me a lunch- sushi!"

DAY FIVE: Students volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission in New Westminster. "What impressed me the most about my students was their respect for every individual and their desire to help out- serving food, handing out clothing, sweeping floors, even cleaning toilets," said Amy.

When the students returned to school they spoke about their experiences at an assembly. "So many parents told me that their teen would not stop talking about their experiences," Amy remarked. "They were constantly reminded that; wherever there is breath, there is hope." Not just for the people of the DTES, but for this generation of teens. This particular group is forever changed by their time on the DTES & will forever be conscious of their actions in offering hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances.

Thanks Amy (and the students) who shared this story.

Day Eight: Knitting for the Downtown Eastside

Today my post is short and sweet- while surfing some sites I came across this great story about a group of knitting Grannies who used their hobby to benefit women and children on the Downtown Eastside! http://www.ywcavan.org/content/Afternoon_Gathering_Turns_into_Act_of_Giving/202

Coming Up Tomorrow:
Teens giving up ipods, hangin' with friends & the comforts of home to experience the Downtown Eastside!

Day Seven: Is Access to Technology a Luxury or a Necessity?

Is access to technology a luxury or a necessity? That's the question Community Voice Mail (a free voicemail service) poses.

How many of us would feel out of sorts if we didn't have a phone? Our daily facebook updates? The internet to look-up the answer to a random musing? Now imagine what it is like for those who are homeless. How would a potential employer contact you for an interview? How would the doctor let you know the results of your tests? How could family members let you know they were thinking of you? Life without a phone line can be a a life sentence keeping you imprisoned on the street.

Community Voice Mail was started in Seattle in 1992. A company donated 145 voicemail lines to homeless job-seekers and a mere 2 months later, 70% of them had jobs! (cvm.org )CVM started in Vancouver in February 2010 and is managed by Vancouver Lu'ma Native Housing Society. Within 5 minutes (and the help a staff person and a script to help with a professional message) anyone can have their own voicemail.

A benefit of CVM is that it allows the system manager to issue broadcast messages. These messages can alert users of local events, weather alerts, shelter information or even "bad john" warnings. Prior to CVM folks relied on a message board at Carnegie Hall to get replies from job interviews, messages from family or calls from their doctor's office. The Downtown Eastside Residents community website (dtes.ca) offers a personal story from Chrystal, under the "Recent News Postings".


Sometimes it's the simplest ideas that have the greatest impact!

Day Six: Homeless In My Backyard!

No, I'm not getting out the tent and sleeping bags to camp out in the yard, but I am thinking about how NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) and poverty are related. I've been writing about poverty, specifically in Canada and poverty affecting children. But it seems like the topic would be incomplete if I didn't take a look at the notorious face of poverty- Vancouver's downtown eastside.

We are all aware of the issue of poverty however, too often, it remains hidden (i.e. the "working poor" who live around us) or it is swept into a corner of the city and we hope it won't come creeping out so we have to face it. The downtown eastside has been called "Canada's poorest postal code" and is littered with (pun intended) homelessness, drug-use, alcoholism, the sex-trade, violence and crime- the very things we don't want in our proverbial backyards. Yet anyone who has lived in or visited Metro-Vancouver in the past 5 years has seen these "things" creeping into other areas of the city. Living in New Westminster for 10 years certainly gave me a glimpse into this side of poverty. When my youngest daughter was a baby we would go for long walks in the Columbia Street neighbourhood. This area, adjacent to the skytrain, was a gathering place for transient people. Ironically, pushing a stroller with a cute infant made me more approachable and the "locals" often initiated a conversation with me (or more often than not, the baby). They would then tell me about their children who they hadn't seen in years, a family member that had died and they didn't get to see them, or a story about travelling across the country looking for a job. I was usually at a loss for words, I often could only listen and mumble a "have a nice day." A father. A sister. A brother. A son. People. Not just a an alcoholic or a homeless person. Real people who deserve compassion and not judgement or ignored.

Addictions related poverty issues are complex. But extending compassion to people who find themselves dealing with those situations shouldn't be. When I think of hope for the downtown eastside I think of Union Gospel Mission & First United.

Union Gospel Mission has been on the downtown eastside since 1940! (Sadly, it's been needed for 70 years!) I usually think of the meal programs & emergency shelter but UGM offers a drug and alcohol recovery program, sending kids to camp program, back to school event (which gives kids school supplies), a mobile mission van which takes food, blankets, basic medical supplies out to the alleys, and more. Check the website: ugm.ca An innovative event organized by UGM is the November Eastside Cultural Crawl with artwork created by professionals and UGM clients.

First United Church has been on the site since 1889 and has a strong history of helping the community. They offer meal programs, shelter and strive to be an inclusive community. "A community at the margins- a community without margins". firstunited.ca