Third World Bazaar Philanthropy
In 2011, the Bazaar will be actively contributing to these excellent organizations, and we hope our patrons will help as well.
Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders
All cider and pumpkin revenue will go to MSF, and will be matched by the Bazaar. This again will be matched by the Canadian Government because we have targeted our donation to Somalia. Your $1 contribution will generate $4 of aid!
MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES (MSF) is the world's leading independent medical relief organization. Their mandate is primarily focused on emergency relief and they often operate in areas where there is no medical infrastructure. For over 35 years they have been providing medical help to people caught in armed conflicts, floods, earthquakes, disease epidemics and famines. MSF has maintained their international reputation as one of the most respected, honest and well run aid organization.
Our niece, Asha provides a personal connection to this worthy organization. Asha has worked with MSF since 2003 and in Canada, Uganda, Indonesia, Ivory Coast and now Barcelona.
We welcome any contribution you can make to the efforts of MSF. The owners of Third World Bazaar will match any contribution that patrons make. We challenge our customers to contribute as much as they feel comfortable donating.
Over the last 7 years the Third World Bazaar, and our customers have been able to contribute between $4,500 and $8,000 a year. This year we hope to surpass the $8,000 figure again. Please give generously to this worthy organization.
Medecins Sans Frontieres Website
Shepherds of Good Hope
All non-perishable food brought to the Bazaar will be delivered to the Shepherds. Please bring what you can.
Since 1983 the Shepherds of Good Hope have been providing food, lodging, emotional and spiritual support to anyone that comes to them. They provide an invaluable service to the poor and troubled of Ottawa, and by helping deal with these problems are providing a service for all of us in the area. We thank them for their invaluable work.
Each weekend the Third World Bazaar will be collects food and consumables for the Shepherds. We ask that our customers consider bringing non-perishable donations to the Bazaar, which we will deliver that week. Each year our collection rate has increased, in 2008 it was about 8 shopping carts worth, in 2009, about 11 and in 2010 it was over 15 full shopping carts of food . Thank you!
Shepherds of Good Hope Website
Habitat for Humanity - Chris Tessier and Jill Woodley.
All donations for a cup of rich, hot coffee will go to the Tessier-Woodley family house construction in Nicaragua. Get your coffee at the Bazaar, and help build a home!
In 2008 Chris Tessier and I embarked on a journey with 20 other Ottawa area volunteers that would change our lives forever. Travelling to Costa Rica and El Salvador with Habitat for Humanity Canada to build houses for families who had never dreamed of owning a home has been an experience like no other. Avid community volunteers, Chris and I decided to engage in global volunteering and our lives have been both enriched and challenged. This year we are joined by our 17 year old daughter, Morgan, who wanted to experience this before heading to University in the Fall of 2012. Morgan was inspired by the stories and pictures and will be joining the team in rural Nicaragua on November 18th. We are grateful that Morgan sees the impact of global engagement, and we are very proud of her commitment.
Joining the team comes at a cost of over $3000 per person, in addition to the holiday time away from our jobs, so fundraising was necessary. Our biggest advocates are Dick and Peggy Bakker who generously support our efforts at the Third World Bazaar. They donate coffee and a central place to sell it. All donations go directly to the build and we will be at the Bazaar for 6 weeks through October and November. Over the last 2 years Chris and I have raised an INCREDIBLE $2200 dollars through coffee donations. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for a cause that has become an important part of our lives. We are so grateful to the people who donate to our build and help us support two families in rural Nicaragua who will have a new home for Christmas.
While building these houses, in conditions that were so unfamiliar to us and surrounded by a team of like-minded team members there was a clear sense of purpose. If you think you cannot make a difference in this world, I will argue that no matter how small, we all have the ability to make change and to help others. I saw it and felt it first hand with a team of 20 strangers who are now such an important part of my life. This is a quote from the blog written by Chris, and I believe is sums up how we both feel about our experience. "We have moved sand, then crushed stone, then rock and then moved them again. We have moved dirt, brush, sewage and bricks. We have moved ourselves in the process. One cannot help but be moved by the joy of the children, the pride of the families, the generosity of the people, the families."
Our deepest thanks to the Third World Bazaar and their tireless support in helping us make these builds a reality. We encourage you to read more about the build on our blog.
Our deepest thanks, Chris, Jill, and Morgan - Nicaragua 2011
Help Lesotho - Pearls for Girls
During the Bazaar we sold various Earrings, Bracelets and Necklaces that were made in Lesotho. All of the revenue from these products were returned to Lesotho to support the Pearls for Girls initiate in HIV/AIDS prevention. We were able to raise $1,175 for this wonderful charity.
It is the mission of Help Lesotho to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS by promoting education, gender equity and youth leadership development.
Objectives
- Raise public awareness of the crisis situation in Lesotho;
- Twin schools and build one-to-one relationships between Canadians and the people of Lesotho;
- Develop simple, low-cost, accountable, locally based and championed projects in Lesotho;
- Promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention and gender equity among youth in Lesotho;
- Foster hope and motivation in the children;
- Support Lesotho's teachers and schools with programs, resources, and volunteers;
- Develop leadership and a sense of civic responsibility among Lesotho youth.
To learn more about this wonderful iniatitive, please visit thier website.