November 2009
New Media Avenues
Our Brochure
We have needed a brochure for 10 years but have always been too frugal to pay for one. An anonymous donor took the matter into her own hands and underwrote one. Email us at batsiranaigroup@gmail.com and we will send you some so it is easier for you to spread the word about these determined and courageous women.
New Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Our incredible interns have created and manage our new Facebook and twitter accounts. You will see what our little band of volunteers are doing for Batsiranai.
Facebook:
Batsiranai Association Become a fan and tell your friends!
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/BatsiranaiLinkedIn:
Via Jan Stoner our Bay Area Coordinator
Welcome to our very first Batsiranai Newsletter. We are proud to share this year’s news from Zimbabwe in this quick and easy to read format. However, we are new at this so let us know if the formatting looks great! You will learn more about our roller coaster year, upcoming events, and our new brochure. To every person, store and wholesaler who bought our wonderful products and donated to Batsiranai, we say Tatenda!, which means Thank you! In Shona.
AND PLEASE ORDER MORE TODAY!
http://www.batsiranai.co.zw --Our Roller Coaster Year
2009 has been a roller coaster year for Batsiranai. When you read below about our successes in Zimbabwe it is played out against the backdrop of the Zimbabwe Government’s dubious honor of being named the second worst failed state in the world. This has lead to a million percent inflation, 95% unemployment and a malnutrition induced cholera epidemic. In spite of that we have:
Successes in Zimbabwe:
Kept our artist members working for most of the year. Although our orders in the end will match last years, they were unpredictable at best. Our members have persevered through the lean non-working times with humor and heart. They have taught us Westerners valuable lessons about perseverance and adaptability. Although there is a raging Cholera epidemic all around them, the small number of our children that contracted the disease received treatment and survived! Training programs have increased the pool of well trained seamstresses and embroiderers. In spite of the challenges, several members have adopted AIDS orphans and other deserted disabled children. Our HIV positive members and children are still taking their medications and planning for a future for themselves and their children. 19 members were able to pay the fees required to buy into the next phase of a housing development for families with disabled children. We have helped the mom’s get their disabled children back in schools.
Successes In the West:
Lynn Poole, Batsiranai’s advisor was honored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an Unsung Heroes of Compassion at a life enriching ceremony in San Francisco. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
Esther B. Clark School in Palo Alto sponsored a walk-a-thon and sales event in Batsiranai’s honor raising over $3000. Thank you so much! Volunteers have spoken at universities, clubs and associations spreading the world about Batsiranai and making critical new sales contacts.
We have been collaborating Helen Marlo at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Gerontolog at Notre Dame de Namur University for outreach, awareness, funding opportunities Worked hard and smart and with determination and made sales this year that will match 2008. GM should learn from us!
Rented a small garage and stocked it with a full inventory of goods so that we can fill orders immediately. Brought on board five extraordinary interns who are working diligently to establish Batsiranai's infrastructure so that we can handle the increased sales, donations and inquiries we are working hard to create.
Managed the whole process on the tiniest of overhead, giving 100% of sales receipts back to the Association in Zimbabwe and running the Western side of the business under determined volunteer power. Written several grants (but we are still waiting to hear the results).
Upcoming Events
We'd love to see you at any these upcoming events:
Saturday Nov. 7, from 5 to 8 PM, Batsiranai Trunk Sale in San Francisco at the home of our wonderful supporter, Helen Gekakis. Join us for an evening of friendship and shopping. Bring your friends, enjoy a glass of wine and dessert and grab the new one-of-a-kind goods only available at this sale. Email us at batsiranaigroup@gmail.com for more details and to RSVP.
Friday Sunday, Nov. 20-22, Santa Cruz Alternative Gift Market. We are proud to be included in this event which emphasizes Fair Trade, locally made and environmentally minded products. http://www.FCCSantacruz.org
Thursday December 3, 2009, AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s, World of Chocolate in Chicago. Thirty of the Midwests most reknowned chocolatiers will wow you with their creations ranging from chocolate martinis to incredible chocolate chip cookies. Come satisfy your sweet tooth at this dazzling event. Batsiranai will be the only vendor in their World Market Place! http://www.aidschicago.org/events/index.php
Friday, December 4, 2009, One World Children's Fund’s, Stepping Up for Kid’s Luncheon. This heartwarming event draws rave reviews from all who have attended in the past. Batsiranai will be hosting two tables exclusively for raising funds for Batsiranai. This is Batsiranai’s only fundraiser of the year. We need our most avid supporters to fill our two tables. RSVP today to batsiranaigroup@gmail.com or call Jan Stoner at 650-347-4286.
Saturday, December 5, Holiday Peace Fair. 10 AM to 4 PM, in Campbell, CA. We will join other humanitarians at the 27th annual day of peace and friendship. Here is your chance in the South Bay to buy your holiday gifts from Batsiranai. And eat some unbelievable treats. http://www.wilpfsanjose.org/ http://www.batsiranai.co.zw
Contact Information
Jan Stoner, batsiranaiproject@gmail.com -- 650-347-4286
710 Bowhill Rd. Hillsborough, CA 94010
