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!

 

------------------------------------

"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"

aarp foundation and oats

Last month, I helped the Make A Wish Foundation, via AARP.

This time, I'm helping, once more, to grant computer access, literacy, and proficiency to seniors and others.

Here's what I got in response!

 

-----------------------------------------

"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"

wish of a lifetime - helping others

"Dear Faustina,
I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 [AARP Reward] 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"

----------------------------------

That was waiting in my inbox this morning.

I'd checked the AARP website for items that I'd like to use Reward points on and there it was, having not yet been snapped up by another.

That was good.

I keep getting requests in the mail from the AARP Foundation to donate money to one cause or another, but money is not what I have.

I do have time to play brain-teasing games to earn Reward points...

and time to view informative videos to earn Reward points...

and also time to answer quizzes to earn Reward points...

so I have Reward points...

and I am thrilled to be able to use them to help others!

Thanks, AARP, for giving me that option!

still counts as a bday68 gift to me...

I've been a bit busy, so this annual part of my birthday ritual was delayed.

Today, Kiva sent me an email that I still had money available to lend.

No time like the present to gift someone with support!

I chose Rasha, an educator in Israel who is helping her students fight those who bully others.

Here's the message I sent to the other Nerdfighters on my team.

 

As I told them, I once had my office as a Safe Space for any and all who needed a listening ear and an open mind.

That was during my time as a full-time assistant professor in the Chemistry Department at Armstrong Atlantic State University, and beyond when I was back to adjunct status, before the merger deleted my position entirely.

I've been retired since May of 2018, but I still recall how grateful students were to have a safe, non-bullying, environment that welcomed and supported them so they could concentrate on their studies.

Rasha has requested a rather large loan, which is why I sent the message to the other nerds like me.

I also posted a message on her loan page.

"As a retired professor whose office once provided safe haven to all students, I know the importance of this work. Wishing her much more success!"

I'm glad that she has the support of several schools who recognize the importance of her work.

She has a month to raise the funds she needs to expand her program.

Anyone can help, using this link.

Thanks!

bday gift to my sisters

"Dearest, you have no sisters, only brothers."

That's true for the family I was born into. However, I am also part of a family that I have chosen at Asbury Memorial Church. We call ourselves Sisters-In-Faith and those are the ones to which I refer in the post title.

"Oh, yes, I'm familiar with them. You've been hanging out with them for several months now, haven't you?"

That I have! And I had so looked forward to the luncheon this month with them! Linda had arranged for us to meet downtown at The Pirate's House for their midday feast. That would be followed up with a trolley tour. All we needed were 40 people who would pony up $50 each. I made sure to pay my money in March! That would be part of my bday68 gift to myself, right? Absolutely!!!

"I remember how excited you were about it. You were going in memory of those times years ago when you and Mama would 'play tourist' when you came home on leave. Those were such good times!"

They were, and I had looked forward to making memories with these sisters. Then I ended up at the hospital and could not get out in time. That was so frustrating that I cried several times.

"I know." (gently pats hand)

Thanks. Anyway, Linda has said she would try to get the money back for me, but I doubt she will be allowed to do so. Therefore, I have made a decision. After all, I had ponied up the funds in order to help us book the luncheon and tour. That is to say, I had spent that money to help us ALL to have that special occasion. So, I'm going to count it as a donation to this new group that I think of as family, as sisters. Happy birthday, my dears, from me to you.

"What a lovely sentiment! Good for you!"

Thanks. (smile!)