by mssinglemama on October 15, 2009
I am breaking the norm here and using this Blog Action Day for a cause not under the overall theme…
Months ago I received an e-mail from Katherine who works and lives at Home of the Swallow, for single mothers an their children in Northern Thailand. She wrote:
We established this home in 2007 after realizing the plight of hundreds and thousands of children who were being orphaned every year in Thailand. Many of the mothers were raped or abused. Many are disadvantaged, destitute and simply lack funding and support to care for their children. They relinquish their children to government orphanages or other care facilities thinking that there is no other option for them.
The home gives the mothers, who are destitute, the support they need to get back on their feet. The center educates and trains the mothers for the workforce by creating their own products. As a non profit organization they are completely reliant on donations and the profits from the products they sell.
Here are just a few of the photos she sent me.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Donate diapers or other baby supplies. Mail them to:
Katherine Moss
C/O Refuge Ministries Thailand
199/247, Soi 7, Moo 2, Nong Jom, San Sai, Chiang Mai, 50210, THAILAND.
2. Donate cold, hard cash
Alittle (even $10) would go a LONG way as the mothers only earn about $120 a month. Donate here. NOTE: Include the Project #J169 – Refuge Ministries Thailand in your donation. Contact Katherine directly if you would like to sponsor an individual mother and child. Her e-mail is: katherinemoss10-at-hotmail-dot-com
3. Spread the word.
Tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter about this cause. Tweet this post or share the link on Facebook.
My Action
I have about 65 extra pairs of the New Leaf Earrings in brass and silver. I am going to donate all of them to the ministry.
Visit the Ministry website here.
by mssinglemama on October 14, 2008
It could be as simple as spreading the word about a worthy cause or making your kids laugh (something we should all try to do every day).
This year’s theme is poverty. An old classmate and trusted friend wrote to me about the Grameen Foundation recently and asked me if I’d share their story. The Foundation helps impoverished women, many of them single mothers, fight their way out of poverty by equipping them with finances and technology they need to start their own business. Here’s more:
The Grameen Foundation, fights poverty worldwide by working with local institutions to provide small loans to poor women to start their own business. These microloans allow these women to provide for themselves and their children, and begin their own climb out of poverty.
Grameen Foundation was founded with the support of Nobel Prize winner and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus, and is recognized worldwide for our impact in combating poverty. Our clients are women, and most are mothers. Some are single mothers, many are their families primary, or sole breadwinners.
Donate or find out more here.
I know money is tight – so if you can’t donate, than post a Tweet about this post – or another charity you support. Better yet, leave a comment and leave a link to a charity you think is worthy of everyone’s attention.
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Some random personal notes:
» I forgot it was my ex-husband’s birthday again… for the second year in a row. I’m such a rotten ex-wife. He reminded me with a text at the end of the night. Oh well.
» Benjamin is refusing to put on his Monkey costume. Not sure how I’ll get him in that thing on Halloween – a candy bribe will probably do the trick, or is that bad? By the way, 2.8 is the most magnificent age. He is utterly adorable lately. Telling me he loves me. Asking me if I’m okay and then giving me unprompted hugs. Suddenly, I don’t just have a son – I have a roommate and someone to talk to. Go figure. And I made him! Motherhood never ceases to amaze me.
» I’m on a man cleanse. Aside from the virtual sparks I felt last night (which hardly count) – I’ve been relishing in my sparkless, single self. It’s just nice to have absolutely no men to think about. And when they call me – and many are – I just ignore them, sending their calls to voicemail. It’s not that I’m a bitch or meaning to be a bitch – I’m just too damn preoccupied to even think about calling them back. When I do call – usually days later – I apologize thinking they’ll never talk to me again. But no, not only do they talk to me again but they call me or text me multiple times. What in the hell? Note to future self: if you ever actually like a man NEVER call him. EVER.
» Your questions are amazing! I already have quite a few to answer via video. So thanks everyone! If you want me to answer your questions about being a single mom or dating a single mother e-mail mssinglemama@gmail.com.
