better ingredients, better food

I know, that sounds like a commercial, doesn't it?

Maybe one for a restaurant, though I can't recall which one.

That's neither here nor there.

I'm talking about a group in Tanzania wanting to improve their crop yield.

Here they are, with the emphasis on Costantino.

He's the big 34-year-old on the far right.

He's asking for a loan of $6,100 to purchase certified fertilizers, pesticides, and micro-nutrients.

As I wrote in the comments on his fundraising page, "Better farming techniques and supplies mean better food for families and communities!"

I do hope that will help him get the rest of the funds he needs.

Good for him for having the support of so many others!

computer literacy and access, via aarp

One of the more worthwhile things I did today?

I used some of my AARP Reward Points to do good.

After all, I am a Nerdfighter!

So, when I found this patch of need, I applied 4000 points toward it, stat.

Folks need to be able to communicate with others, most especially when the weather is too nasty to allow face-to-face contact.

Ah, the marvels of the computer age!

Thanks, AARP Foundation, for giving me a way to help again.

make a wish...

Yes, it's that time again!

The AARP Wish Of A Lifetime was offered on the site and all I had to do was contribute 4000 of the Reward Points I'd earned.

Done, and gladly, too!

I'm so grateful to have this way to help others!

99 items gone to the store, 99 items gone...

Near the start of November, my first niece posted a request on fb.

"Donations Needed!
Hello, everyone!
The Annual Holiday Store at Liberty Elementary (the school I work at) is right around the corner, and we need your help to make it a success!

Donation Drop-Off Or pick up: Now through December 10th
Items We Really Need:
Gently used or new toys, books, games, jewelry, candles, mugs, ornaments, or other small gift items students can purchase for family and friends.

Your donations help make this special event possible and give our students the joy of giving this holiday season.

Wrapping Supplies Needed:
Wrapping paper
Gift bags
Scotch tape

It’s the perfect time to clean out your attic, closets, or basement for hidden treasures you no longer need!
If you are in the Savannah or surrounding areas I will come to you to pick up any donations." 

 

Friday, she and I set up a movie date, here, for Tina Tuesday. 

That's tomorrow, and I have gone through closets, dressers, and the china cupboard, collecting items for her "school store" for the students.

 

Seashells from more than 40 years ago in Panama...

wooden roses crafted for Savannah Children's Theatre...

jewelry to please mothers or grandmas...

massage tools to use by hand...

a variety of Christmas ornaments...  

desktop photo holders... 

a variety of books for all ages... 

coffee mugs and color-changing cups...

scented candles and eyeglass cases to protect any lens...

and a variety of gift wraps and gift bags to decorate all items!

I do hope these will have a second life in new homes...

and bring joy to the recipients of the students' love.

I am so grateful to be able to help!

happy bday58 to paul

Amazingly, I have the funds already for my third loan in less than a month.

Like the first of those three, this is also to celebrate a birthday, though this is for a man who is like a brother to me, rather than actual blood.

Like that first loan, too, this is for the 20th anniversary of an 18th birthday. 

Paul has been part of my life since we met in grad school in Tallahassee.

The 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday was on the 14th, so this gift is, admittedly, just a little belated.

That's because I was waiting to find a worthy loan, using the credit Kiva.org gave me after I made the second of the three loans I've made in less than a month.

That loan had been for the 20th anniversary of that charitable organization.

That's a lot of 20th anniversary dates being celebrated!

This third loan has been to Olusheno, a group in Namibia, and this is their second loan from Kiva.

Here's what the site said about them and this $100,000 ask.

"In partnership with d.light design, Olusheno... aims to bridge the affordability gap by providing high-quality solar light to thousands of “off-grid” families on affordable installments. Olusheno has already provided sustainable lighting to over 31,500 households across the country and is working to fulfill the government’s dream of bringing reliable electricity to its one million off-grid citizens by 2030.
This new loan will be used as working capital for Olusheno to purchase 5,000 solar home systems that will... help thousands of people light up their lives for the first time!"

I love that the description included that exclamation point!

(smile!)

The real attraction for me, though, was the photo of the woman standing in the doorway of her lit home, with the night darkness all around.
That spoke to me.

So I, in turn, left the above comment to encourage others to help.

I'm so glad that 21 other Nerdfighters have already added their support.

Paul, happy birthday, you're a man who lights up his community.

(smile!)

happy anniversary20 to kiva!

Hard to believe that Kiva.org has been around for twenty years!

I am so glad that I am part of its life-changing mission in the world!

To sweeten the pot, the site has offered a 20-dollar credit to all who help fund a loan today... so I made sure to do that!

I selected Yesica Leonor of the Dominican Republic.

She's a mother of two, and her loan is for construction materials to improve the rental properties she owns.

Note: this is the third loan the enterprising young woman has had with kiva!

Did I say "young"?

That's because she is 42, the same age as my first niece!

That was yet another reason to choose Yesica for my loan.

I even added a few words to encourage others to lend to her.

 

"She reminds me so much of my first niece! Same age, single mom of two, working hard to make the dream come true for herself and others! Plus, this is her 3rd loan - she's definitely a go-getter!"

I fully expect her loan to get fully funded soon!

And look at this: I've completed a badge on the website!

Without even trying, I've funded three loans that are classified as "Basic Needs".

I'm not sure just which ones those are, but I'm glad to have the badge!

Now, to decide who the recipient will be of the $20 credit that Kiva gives me for participating in their Anniversary funding drive...

happy bday58 to dood

Happy birthday to my youngest brother!!!

He is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday today.

I actually procured his gift a few days ago.

Kiva.org provided the perfect present: a loan to a man trying, like him, to make a better life for his family and community.

Kaboré of Cote D'Ivoire is the recipient of this $25 microloan from me as I celebrate my brother's birth.

Kaboré lives in the Daloa region of that African nation.

His $3475 loan through Kiva is for a solar energy kit, including a refrigerator, for his home.

In particular, he chose the solar project to provide electricity on cloudy days.
I totally agree with that rationale!

I'm sure his family will appreciate having electricity every night, too.

They will also appreciate being able to have cool drinks from the fridge, as well as being able to keep food fresh longer.

Oh, the things we take for granted in the United States!