I had the rare opportunity of discussing my work with the Canadian Unstoppable Coach Frankie Picasso and you can listen to that interview by following this link
www.blogtalkradio.com/missionunstoppable
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Sunday, 20 July 2008
1 year on at Ethnic Supplies
I find myself in a reflective mood this week. A year ago to date, I had just returned from Tanzania where I met the most amazing women fighting all sort of obstacles in their way to make ends meet. One such woman was Julia a recently widowed Masai woman who had been expelled from her village by fellow women who felt threatened by her single status.
Here is Julia at her stand at the International Trade show in Dar es Salaam last year
On my return to the UK my handbag was stolen at Gatwick Airport which was really ironical as I had spent a week in the chaos of down town Dar es Salaam which had passed without any incident save for the odd mosquito bite.
I quickly recovered from that as I had to get ready to out to Madagascar in preparation of the an event I was organising with the Madagascan Embassy in London as well as the official launch of Ethnic Supplies.
Looking back on the visit to Madagascar I realise that there is an awful lot of work to do to alleviate poverty in the world.
I am now getting ready to out to Uganda and Tanzania next month to review what effect if any my involvement has had on the lives the women I teamed up with a year ago. It will also be an opportunity to look what has worked and what hasn't.
The biggest challenge that has faced Ethnic Supplies like any other business has been the current financial environment, no one knows what is around the corner.I am however optimistic about the future and the outlook for autumn is very promising indeed.
The greatest achievement has been getting one of the products into Exeter Museum, the products are on a trial at Chester zoo and I am awaiting an answer from Woburn Abbey.
I have teamed up with a two charities that work in Africa that has been worthwhile especially in the current finance environment.
Women at the Good Shephers Sisters in Madagascar where they are taught embroidery and other incoming generating skills
Here is Julia at her stand at the International Trade show in Dar es Salaam last year
On my return to the UK my handbag was stolen at Gatwick Airport which was really ironical as I had spent a week in the chaos of down town Dar es Salaam which had passed without any incident save for the odd mosquito bite.
I quickly recovered from that as I had to get ready to out to Madagascar in preparation of the an event I was organising with the Madagascan Embassy in London as well as the official launch of Ethnic Supplies.
Looking back on the visit to Madagascar I realise that there is an awful lot of work to do to alleviate poverty in the world.
I am now getting ready to out to Uganda and Tanzania next month to review what effect if any my involvement has had on the lives the women I teamed up with a year ago. It will also be an opportunity to look what has worked and what hasn't.
The biggest challenge that has faced Ethnic Supplies like any other business has been the current financial environment, no one knows what is around the corner.I am however optimistic about the future and the outlook for autumn is very promising indeed.
The greatest achievement has been getting one of the products into Exeter Museum, the products are on a trial at Chester zoo and I am awaiting an answer from Woburn Abbey.
I have teamed up with a two charities that work in Africa that has been worthwhile especially in the current finance environment.
Women at the Good Shephers Sisters in Madagascar where they are taught embroidery and other incoming generating skills
Friday, 11 July 2008
June News from Ethnic Supplies
June was a very busy month at Ethnic Supplies. We had our first party plan hosted in Hanwell and what a success that was. We were invited back in September as word got out to those that didn't make it to the first event.
On June 12th Ida found herself in church for an entirely different reason and one that is dear to her heart. You see the good folk of Cobham (a small village in Surrey near Ida where lives) had an offer they could not refuse and this offer was in church! A free concert (Recital)from students at the Royal College of Music.
As a student at a local college in Cobham one of the boys had heard
about the plight of children in Northern Uganda and vowed to do something to help. He has now put a group together (that one that played last night) at St Andrews Church in Cobham, they are now going on the tour of Northern France to play at various venues and the money will go towards helping children and young people in
Nothern Uganda
There is a lot of money in Cobham and when the campaign to MAKE POVERTY HISTORY started these dear people took it up and joined hands with the folk at African Revival.To date they have raised £50,000 towards schools, health centres, commercial projects for children in Zambia, Uganda, Sudan and Malawi.
Last night £1800 was raised and that is enough to eduate 5 young people for a whole year or to feed 1800 children a day! What a result!
On June 21st Ida joined the THE ASSOCATION OF SPOUSES OF AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSINONERS AND AMBASSADORS at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensingto at their annula Gala dinner and this year's theme was the Economic Empowerment of Africa Women
Amongst the glitz and glamour was a very serious message delivered by the First lady of Zambia. African women are the back bone of the economic development of any African nation. There are obstacles in the way that must be addressed, including HIV and Aids, poor literacy and education, access to the market, domestic violence equality access to legal process, land and financial independence!
Ida was fortunate to be at this event as this message is very close to us and is the basis of our business here at Ethnic Supplies. It was indeed heartening to see that the issue has been taken up by the Diplomats. Examples of what has been acheived thus far were highlighted specifically that representaion by women on governing councils such as OAU (Organisation of African Unity) and above all the fact that there is a lot of work to do!
So what do you think? Do African women deserve special treatment? Are they indeed the back bone of the Economic development of African nations? If you think so why?
On June 28 we joined the Madagascar Embassy in London at their National day. At this event Ida came across other African women working in southern and Eastern Africa to find natural solutions to health problems.Ida pledged to hep the embassy with it's programme to link Malagasy schools with British schools. Ida took the first step towards this goal the following day when she connected the Embassay to a governor of a school in Surrey.
On June 12th Ida found herself in church for an entirely different reason and one that is dear to her heart. You see the good folk of Cobham (a small village in Surrey near Ida where lives) had an offer they could not refuse and this offer was in church! A free concert (Recital)from students at the Royal College of Music.
As a student at a local college in Cobham one of the boys had heard
about the plight of children in Northern Uganda and vowed to do something to help. He has now put a group together (that one that played last night) at St Andrews Church in Cobham, they are now going on the tour of Northern France to play at various venues and the money will go towards helping children and young people in
Nothern Uganda
There is a lot of money in Cobham and when the campaign to MAKE POVERTY HISTORY started these dear people took it up and joined hands with the folk at African Revival.To date they have raised £50,000 towards schools, health centres, commercial projects for children in Zambia, Uganda, Sudan and Malawi.
Last night £1800 was raised and that is enough to eduate 5 young people for a whole year or to feed 1800 children a day! What a result!
On June 21st Ida joined the THE ASSOCATION OF SPOUSES OF AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSINONERS AND AMBASSADORS at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensingto at their annula Gala dinner and this year's theme was the Economic Empowerment of Africa Women
Amongst the glitz and glamour was a very serious message delivered by the First lady of Zambia. African women are the back bone of the economic development of any African nation. There are obstacles in the way that must be addressed, including HIV and Aids, poor literacy and education, access to the market, domestic violence equality access to legal process, land and financial independence!
Ida was fortunate to be at this event as this message is very close to us and is the basis of our business here at Ethnic Supplies. It was indeed heartening to see that the issue has been taken up by the Diplomats. Examples of what has been acheived thus far were highlighted specifically that representaion by women on governing councils such as OAU (Organisation of African Unity) and above all the fact that there is a lot of work to do!
So what do you think? Do African women deserve special treatment? Are they indeed the back bone of the Economic development of African nations? If you think so why?
On June 28 we joined the Madagascar Embassy in London at their National day. At this event Ida came across other African women working in southern and Eastern Africa to find natural solutions to health problems.Ida pledged to hep the embassy with it's programme to link Malagasy schools with British schools. Ida took the first step towards this goal the following day when she connected the Embassay to a governor of a school in Surrey.
Corporate Social Responsiblity
There is increased interest in Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) and almost all the big corporations have adapted this way of working.
Some have argued that for some corporations this is about keeping up appearances or being seen to be doing the righ thing.Whatever the rights and wrongs of CSR it is here to stay and whether or not firms will lose customers based on their CSR policy or lack of it is not for me to say.
Here at Ethnic Supplies, we do recognise the value of CSR and do not simply keep up appearances. As well as working alongside the good folk at African Revival, we will be taking part in a Cancer Research fundraising event on Sunday 13 July at Chevening House Sundridge.
Some have argued that for some corporations this is about keeping up appearances or being seen to be doing the righ thing.Whatever the rights and wrongs of CSR it is here to stay and whether or not firms will lose customers based on their CSR policy or lack of it is not for me to say.
Here at Ethnic Supplies, we do recognise the value of CSR and do not simply keep up appearances. As well as working alongside the good folk at African Revival, we will be taking part in a Cancer Research fundraising event on Sunday 13 July at Chevening House Sundridge.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Charities, Innovation, Collaboration
We are all increasingly being called on to support various causes, sometimes it is issues we don't know much about nor necessarily care about and often these issues or even people are in far away lands that we have never met or hope to ever meet.
However the people asking us to provide financial assistance maybe ones we like and care for so we do our best to support them in their causes. It has however become near impossible to decide which cause deserves our support.
This increase in causes that deserve our financial support has meant that only those charities that are creative and are able to innovate may be the ones that survive. The large national and multinational charities have already done so and in part built up large reserves through activities such as having High street shops etc.
The smaller charities are catching up too and one of these is the http://www.africanrevival.org/
On Friday 23 May 2008, they held an art exhibition in a home of one their supporters in Oxhsott to raise money for children in Northern Uganda.
What was unique about this event was that the guests were not necessarily required to donate money into a tin towards the cause, in fact they were given a goody bag to take away simply for showing up.
Instead a prominent Art dealer, Artist and Ethnic Supplies were invited to display their work for the guests to view and buy. In return these businesses were to donate a percentage of their profits on the day towards the charity.
This created a win, win situation for the participating businesses, (more customers than they would perhaps not find themselves in one day) the guests, (support people in a far away place and whom they will never get to meet, and in turn get something for their money)and the charity (more donations and they could have otherwise got by say standing on a street corner with a collection tin!
Is this a sign of things to come? Have you got other examples that have worked really well for all concerned?
However the people asking us to provide financial assistance maybe ones we like and care for so we do our best to support them in their causes. It has however become near impossible to decide which cause deserves our support.
This increase in causes that deserve our financial support has meant that only those charities that are creative and are able to innovate may be the ones that survive. The large national and multinational charities have already done so and in part built up large reserves through activities such as having High street shops etc.
The smaller charities are catching up too and one of these is the http://www.africanrevival.org/
On Friday 23 May 2008, they held an art exhibition in a home of one their supporters in Oxhsott to raise money for children in Northern Uganda.
What was unique about this event was that the guests were not necessarily required to donate money into a tin towards the cause, in fact they were given a goody bag to take away simply for showing up.
Instead a prominent Art dealer, Artist and Ethnic Supplies were invited to display their work for the guests to view and buy. In return these businesses were to donate a percentage of their profits on the day towards the charity.
This created a win, win situation for the participating businesses, (more customers than they would perhaps not find themselves in one day) the guests, (support people in a far away place and whom they will never get to meet, and in turn get something for their money)and the charity (more donations and they could have otherwise got by say standing on a street corner with a collection tin!
Is this a sign of things to come? Have you got other examples that have worked really well for all concerned?
Friday, 23 May 2008
African Summer fashion accessories from Ethnic Supplies Part 2
Handmade fashion accessories and accessories from East Africa promoting financial independence for Africa women
As you plan your Summer Wardrobe, we at Ethic Supplies, would like to draw your attention to our stylish and ethically produced baskets. These handmade baskets are made of palm and wrapped in raw silk, that is hand collected in Madagascar woodlands by Malagasy women.
I hope you will agree with us when we say that Madame Henriette and her team of 10 men have done a fabulous job with these baskets. The baskets are practical as well as stylish!
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
African Summer fashion accessories from Ethnic Supplies Part 1
The summer holidays are nearly upon us and you have probably booked your two weeks in the sun by now! Naturally you will be thinking about your wardrobe next and are we!
One item that we think you can't possibly leave behind is a straw hat! Our hats here at Ethnic Supplies are simply amazing. The hats are hand crafted by our female producers in Madagascar from the finest Raffia. This makes them easy to fold so that you can put them away in a beach bag/ suitcase. And the best part is however many times you fold the hats they do not lose their shape!
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