wedding salon for uzbek women

This 35-year-old woman is Odina and she has operated this wedding salon in Qorgontepa, Uzbekistan for more than a decade.

Her work provides an income for her and her three children, including the fees for them to attend school.

Now, she has applied for a loan from Kiva because she wants to expand the selection for her clients, to help provide them the wedding day of their dreams.

After all, a woman's wedding day is a day of dreams for the future, dreams of a life with children, dreams of creating their new family.

Having a choice in the wedding gown for that day is part of the dream.

I remember that for my wedding in 1992, I could not find the gown of my dreams, so I created it myself, with my aunt's sewing machine.

Of course, I live in the USA and electricity is everywhere.

Many homes in Uzbekistan do not have electricity unless they are in big cities, so many new brides depend on wedding salons for their special day.

As a Nerdfighter, of course I supported Odina and her mission to help others' dreams to become reality.

Fortunately for me, part of the money I loaned her was supplied by Kiva.

The rest of the money for her loan came from funds repaid by other borrowers to whom I have loaned money this year.

Full circle.

My thanks to them all.

(smile!)

time for watermelons!

I've been aware for a while that I've had some funds to re-lend at Kiva.

Usually I find a suitable  recipient as a birthday gift for myself, too.

However, I finally jumped at all that tonight!

That's because Kiva will grant me another $20 for making a $25 loan.

Buy one, get one means I get to help two people's dreams come true!

 

I chose Siri, the member of the Benkadi group there in the middle.

Yes, she's the one holding the huge bowl of peanuts!

She's 50 years old, and has been farming for over 30 years.

I wouldn't say that Mama was a farmer, but she certainly enjoyed tending to her gardens for as long as I can recall.

I think that perhaps she guided by eye to this loan.

(smile!)

There are two reasons that I really liked it, though.

"Peanuts! Watermelons! Summertime foods that are favorites!"

That's the rationale I left in the comments section of her page.

And the other reason this loan makes me smile?

 

The country looks like a party dress that's been left on the floor!

Mali is a landlocked country in northwest Africa, with some lush green areas in the bodice, but also lots of desert there in the skirt portion.

I think that would be a fun dress for dancing!

What a sight it would be, twirling around to the music!

"Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...!"

(smile!)

aarp and food

I hadn't realized it before, but I think there's a pattern going on!

Every month, the AARP Foundation includes in the Points Rewards redemption list an option to donate to a charity, rather than purchase gifts cards.

Two months ago, it was the Make-A-Wish option.

Last month, it was for computer education.

This month, the cause was food to alleviate senior poverty.

Whatever the cause, I'm glad to use my points to help!

 

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"Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 points. It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. We truly value your support.
Warm Regards,
Claire Casey
President, AARP Foundation"