Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween everyone!

Will year 2013 be a year of compassion?

Today at work I was thinking what my theme would be for 2014 after living the year 2013 making a difference. I was thinking of the words 'compassion', 'kindness', 'humanity', 'generosity', 'tenderness', 'goodwill'. And then I read what the Dalai Lama said about making the century a century of compassion. Sharing with you the full message below -

"We can make this a more peaceful century if we cherish non-violence and concern for others' well-being. It is possible. If the individual is happier, his or her family is happier; if families are happy, neighbourhoods and nations will be happy. By transforming ourselves we can change our human way of life and make this a century of compassion."
              ~ Dalai Lama

What do you think? It is worth a try I believe,

Labels and Patterns requested

All labels requested as of yesterday, the 28th of October have been mailed this morning. I run out of stamps so pattern requests will be mailed tomorrow. Thank you!

Thank you for the pillowcase donations

Special thank you to Annette Farrow of Gawler SA who has been regularly buying pillowcases from Op Shops  and donating them to Julie Bolton to make into dresses. Latest count is in several dozens. Thank you so much for supporting the Gawler Sewing group.  And thank you to Julie too for patiently driving over to Annette's The Helium House shop to pick up the pillowcases.

Thank you ladies for your support of Dress A Girl (Around the World) Australia. Much appreciated.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #153 - Quite a bundle from Norma Schubert

The last parcel to open is quite a bundle and number 153 on the list.  The bundle of 38 pairs of shorts and 22 dresses were all made by Norma Schubert who just turned 84 years old this month . She makes these dresses and shorts from her home as at her age it may be too much for her to be travelling and joining sewing bees but she is enjoying and loving creating dresses and little boys shorts for the disadvantage children in the communities.  Julieann Bolton goes to her house to drop off fabrics and elastic and goes back and pick up whatever she has completed. What an amazing woman and really an inspiration to all of us. Here are the 38 pairs of shorts and 22 dresses from Norma - a few of the pants will be allocated to the Clothing Sponsorship Program (WInter edition).

To Norma, thank you so much for the time and effort you spent making all these dresses and pairs of shorts. You are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you so much. And thank you to Julie for facilitating all the deliveries and pickups for Norma. Much appreciated.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #152 - From the two Bettys

Since I have 2 more parcels to open and this is one of them I might as well finish all the donation acknowledgements then I think I will have more time to spend sorting and packing the Christmas parcels for South Africa and the Philippines next week. And also I will have time to look into the sewing books I recently bought from an on-line sale. Didnt expect the books to arrive so soon. :-)

So continuing on, number 152 on the list comes from the dynamic duo of Betty Barrett and Betty Paull. Another two admirable ladies who at their age (85 going on 86?) still finds the time to make a difference and think of other people most especially the less fortunate children around the world, do something good and positive to make this world a better place. Here are the goodies I received from them this time - 11 pairs of shorts, 9 dresses, some ribbons and a beanie. The beanie will be allocated for the Clothing Sponsorship program of South Africa (Winter edition). Now I have one beanie and one jacket for the program. :-)

To the two Betty's, thank you so much for your unwavering support of Dress A Girl (Around the World) most especially Australia. Thank you for making this friendly world of ours a better place to live for everyone. Much appreciated.

And if anyone would care what books I recently bought, here they are. I am hoping that I would be able to make different styles of dresses next year thru the aid of these books. They were really heavily discounted (about 70% off at the time I saw them) I could not resist. Maybe it is because nobody buys hard copies anymore. :-) New things to do in between sorting and packing makes sewing life more interesting. And am keeping my fingers crossed I really wish I will have the time. 

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #151 - Packs of undies from Loris and DI

Number 151 on the list for the month of October are packs of undies from Loris Pullen and Di Fennell of the Ladies of Kapunda Sewing Group SA. Here are the goodies from them -

To Loris and Di, thank you so much for these pack of undies. Thank you for your unwavering support of dressing girls around the world. Much appreciated.

Quilts #106 to #110 - From Vera, Shirley and the Robertstown Senior Citizens of Kapunda SA

Last parcel of quilts to acknowledge on my list are quilt numbers 106 to 110. Five more quilts from Vera Geffs, Shirley Bell and the Robertstown Senior Citizens of Kapunda SA. What can I say but hats off to you ladies for doing such a wonderful job of quilting to make a positive change to this friendly world of ours. 
Here are the 5 quilts from Vera, Shirley and the Robertstown Senior Citizens -

To Vera, Shirley and the Robertstown Senior Citizens, thank you so much. Thank you for the time, money and effort you all spend making these awesome quilts. Thank you for making these kiddies feel warmth, comfort and joy through your kindness and generosity. Much appreciated.  

Quilts #101 to #105 - 5 more quilts from Vera, Lorraine and Gaynor

Five more quilts ! Quilts #101 to #105 on my list from Vera Geffs, Lorraine Sandow and Gaynor Botcher of the Ladies of Kapunda Sewing Group/Craft and Hope Group of Kapunda S.A. These ladies reminds me of the book 'When Quilters Gather', how quilters gather to work and play and show their passion of who they are and what they do through their quilts. What very lucky children and grandmas they are who get to receive your works of art. Can't help comparing these ladies to this book. :-)

Here are the 5 quilts from Vera, Lorraine and Gaynor -

To Vera, Lorraine and Gaynor, through your passion, creative energy, kindness and generosity, you get to make this world a better place. Using your creative skills in making a difference in this world, making a positive change to make this world a better place is just amazing. Thank you so much!

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #150 - From Fabi

Number 150 on the list is from my sister Fabi. A batch of 4 tshirts, 2 shirts and a winter jacket. The winter jacket will be allocated to the Clothing Sponsorship program (Winter Edition) I have committed to the Morning Star Foundation of South Africa next year. With the freight concession I got for sending parcels to South Africa I will be starting to collect winter clothes starting early next year. Details will be made available soon for those who would like to make a donation. The shirts and t-shirts will be allocated to the kids of Wilcannia NSW and will be matched with pairs of shorts. Here are the goodies from Fabi -

Thank you Fabi! Hope we get a chance to see kids running around wearing these goodies soon!

Quilts #96 to #100 - From Vera, Shirley & Karen

Wow! This batch and quilt numbers 96 to 100 brings my total for the '100 days of Quilting' charity drive to 100 quilts. This is so unexpected and am awed with the kindness and generosity of everyone who made this charity drive so much a success. A 100 bodies to be kept warm and comforted by a 100 quilts received in 100 days of quilting and I believe there is more to come for this charity drive. Here are the quilts received from Vera Geffs, Shirley Bell and Karen Klienberg and 2 of these quilts will be allocated to 2 grandmas in Mbale Uganda -

To Vera, Shirley and Karen, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for helping keep the children of Romania and grandmas who takes care of the children in Mbale warm and feel comfort and joy.Thank you for making this world a better place. Much appreciated.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #149 - 8 dresses, headscarves & softies from Monika

Number 149 on the list is a parcel of 8 dresses, about 58 headscarves and 20 stuff toys from Monika Osvald. I think I've got enough headscarves to fill my christmas bags for the Philippines and extras will be allocated for South Africa. My next task after the acknowledgements will be to count the stuff toys I've got so I would know if I could fill at least 50 bags. Here are the goodies I have received from Monika -

To Monika, thank you so much. Thank you for helping me fill up my Christmas bags and bring in more smiles to this friendly world of ours.It is much appreciated. Thank you.

Quilts #90 to #95 - From the Ladies of Kapunda S.A.

On my list for quilts #90 to #95 came from Pat Hanson, Jannice Schutz, Shirley Bell and Kathy Pffiefer of Kapunda S.A. Here are the quilts from these amazing ladies and two of these quilts will be allocated to two grandmas in Mbale Uganda - I think these two will bring big smiles on grandma's faces.

To Pat, Jannice, Shirley and Kathy, thank you so much for your amazing work on these quilts. Thank you for the time and effort you all spend making these quilts. It is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Quilts #85 to #89 - From the Ladies of Craft & Hope Group SA

I could not find a list of names inside nor written outside the parcel but I know these quilts came from the Craft and Hope Group of Kapunda S.A. So for Quilts #85 to #89 on my list I will just put it as from the Ladies of Craft & Hope Group -

To the Ladies of the Craft & Hope Group, thank you so much. Thank you for helping make this world a better place with one quilt at a time. Much appreciated.

Quilts #79 to #84 - From the Ladies of Kapunda S.A.

Doing quilt acknowledgements this time from $79 to 84 are 6 quilts from Vera Geffs, Shirley Bell, Lorraine Sandow and Gaynor Botcher. All lady donors are either from the Ladies of Kapunda Sewing Group or the Craft & Hope Group of Kapunda S.A. Here are the 6 quilts -

Thank you to Vera, Shirley, Lorraine and Gaynor for the 6 wonderful quilts. Thank you for the time and effort you spent making these wonderful gifts for disadvantaged children around the world. It is much appreciated.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #148 - 21 dresses from Sandra .

Number 148 on the list for the year 2013 is a parcel of 21 dresses from Sandra Turnbull. These dresses are very special to Sandra and she loved and enjoyed making them from the beautiful quilting cottons of her best friend Gayle who died unexpectedly in June and she was very lucky to have inherited her fabrics. Gayle was an avid quilter and loved her fabrics. Sandra is so happy that she made some of the fabrics into dresses and very happy to think that 'pieces of her friend Gayle" will be going around the world and making little children happy. Here is Sandra with the dresses she made -

and here are the 21 dresses -

To Sandra, what a great tribute to your best friend Gayle. Thank you so much for the time and effort you spent making these 21 dresses that am sure will bring 21 more smiles to this wonderful world of ours. Thank you. Much appreciated.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #147 - 13 pairs of shorts, 20 T-shirts and little handmades from Maureen

Number 147 on the list is a parcel of 13 pairs of shorts, 20 t-shirts and little handmades from Mo O'Brien. The little handmades were donated by Mo for me to sell to raise some money for postage. I took them with me  last Saturday in my market day and raised $15.00 from 3 of the items. Also included in this parcel were 6 pairs of thongs which were acknowledged separately. Here are the items from Mo -

To Mo, through your kindness and generosity, the world is becoming a better place. The world is a happier place for children from disadvantaged locations around the world. Thank you for your unwavering support of Dress A Girl (Around the World) Australia. It is very much appreciated.

More than a mile #14 - 10 pairs from Margie

Was in a hurry to leave work so I could buy thongs for Margie Burke. I was thinking it is Thursday a lot of people might go shopping. Lucky me, although there wasnt much choice on colours, I was able to buy the sizes that I needed and that's for smaller kids. They had lots of them hanging in the slipper section today. Here's another 10 pairs from Margie Burke bringing my total to 89 as of today. 

WooHoo!!! Almost there! Thank you so much Margie. And what a great idea to save on postage. Thanks!

If you want to join the 'More than a mile' with thongs christmas charity drive for the children of Wilcannia, please feel free to do so. For more information, click here or send an email to dressagirlaustralia@gmail.com.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #146 - 20 dresses from Lyn Granger

20 dresses made with so much love is number 146 on the list from Lyn Granger for 20 lucky girls. Here are the 20 dresses from Lyn -

To Lyn, thank you for bringing 20 more big smiles to this world. Thank you for the time and effort you spend making these 20 dresses and helping make this world a better place. Thank you so much.

Romania Parcel of 9 quilts received

The first Parcel of 9 quilts sent to Romania has been received. That is 9 kiddies feeling comfort and joy this winter through your kindness and generosity. 

Thank you most especially to the donors of the 9 quilts. Thank you for making a difference...with one quilt at a time.

For more details on this distribution, please visit my 'Dress Distribution' page by clicking here or click on the special 'Dress Distribution' tab located at the top of this page.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #145 - 32 dresses from Gaylene

She has done it again. Number 145 on the list is a parcel of 32 dresses from Gaylene Herrmann. Another 32 more smiles to this world. Also included in the parcel were 7 pairs of thongs which were acknowledged separately. Here are the 32 dresses from Gaylene -

To Gaylene, thank you so much for the goodies. Thank you for your unwavering support of Dress A Girl (Around the World) Australia. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. It is much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #144 - 4 dresses and 6 pairs of shorts from Sarah

Number 144 on the list is a parcel of 4 dresses, 6 pairs of shorts, mini bags and hair scrunchies from a lady who is living the year 2013 making a difference. Sarah Tanmahapran has been consistently sending dresses and shorts every month since the start of the year. Here are her items for the month of October -

To Sarah, thank you so much for the time and effort you spend making these dresses and pairs of shorts. Thank you for bringing more smiles to this world, for helping make a difference. Thank you so much.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #143 - 6 dresses from Sharyn

Continuing on and number 143 on the list is a parcel of 6 dresses from Sharyn Paull. Included on this parcel were pairs of thongs from her mum Betty Paull which was acknowledged separately. Here are the 6 dresses from Sharyn this time -

To Sharyn, thank you for your unwavering support of Dress A Girl (Around the World) Australia. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Much appreciated.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #142 - 11 dresses from Claire and friends

Number 142 on the list for the year 2013/Month of October is a parcel of 11 dresses from Claire Kendall and her friends Lauren, Megan, Lona, Steph and Lyndal. Claire wrote that she and her friends were inspired to make these dresses to make a difference even in a small way after attending a Hillsong Colour Conference and hope and pray that these dresses will be used to bless 11 little girls around the world. Here are the 11 dresses they sent -

To Claire and her friends, thank you for bringing 11 more smiles to this world. Thank you for helping make a difference to the lives of the less fortunate. It is much appreciated. Thank you.

Sharing with everyone

This was written in Dalai Lama's facebook page which I liked so much and want to share with you.

More than a mile #13 - 5 pairs from Candace

5 pairs of thongs was my 'thong' takeaway from work today from Candace Quach bringing my total to 79 thongs on Day 21 of 'More than a mile' with thongs for the children of Wilcannia. Here are the 5 pairs from Candace -

Thank you Candace for bringing 5 smiles to this world with your 5 pairs of thongs. It is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Come and help bring more smiles to this world through your kindness and generosity. Join and support Dress A Girl Australia's 'More than a mile' with thongs christmas charity drive for the children of Wilcannia NSW. For more details, please feel free to send an email to dressagirlaustralia@gmail.com.

More than a mile #12 - 10 pairs from Dress A Girl Australia

On my way home I decided to stop by Coles and noticed my wallet was kind of heavy. Earlier in the day I did notice my bag was also getting heavier (walk from the parking to the station is about 6 mins). Turned out my wallet was full of coins. When I got back to the car I looked into my wallet and a quick scan I thought I had more than 20 bucks in coins. So I decided to go to Kmart which was right next to Coles and see if there was any 'thong' sale going on so I can put my coins into good use. And this is what I got for some of my coins. 10 pairs of thongs for $20. 

Anything for the kids of Wilcannia NSW. These 10 pairs brings my total to 74 as of today.

Donation Acknowledgement FY13/10 #141 - 10 dresses, 4 pairs of shorts and 2 scarves from Vanya

Hehey! Am back to my first love and that is dresses and the first on the list for the month of October and donation number 141 this year is a parcel of 10 dresses, 4 pairs of shorts and 2 head scarves from Vanya Bryant. Here are the items Vanya sent -

To Vanya, thank you so much for these goodies. Thank you for your support, kindness and generosity. It is very much appreciated.

Was I at Dreamers Market yesterday?

This is in reply to an email I received today asking where I was located at the Dreamers Market yesterday as this person didnt see any sign about Dress A Girl Australia. From the main entrance I probably would be one of the first stalls you would have seen as I was there right in the middle. You would not see any sign at all on Dress A Girl Australia as for the past three markets I decided not to carry or display any sign at all relating to Dress A Girl Around the world. I did this early this year but I could hardly sell anything at all because I spent most of my time explaining what Dress A Girl was all about. I only made about $60.00 which was not even enough to pay for the stall. I was lucky I didnt have to pay anything at all. Also I noticed that some of the people were not really that interested as they were there to look around and shop. 

I thought hard about this and ask myself what was really the purpose why I wanted to have a stall at Dreamers Market. Was it to promote Dress A Girl or was it to sell so I could raised enough money to sustain Dress A Girl. If I was there just to promote then I thought one market day to do this was enough especially if you consider the time and effort you have to spend preparing for a market to be successful and the money you have to invest in printing leaflets. So I decided that for the next market I will be there just to promote and sell my handmade items. I could focus on explaining what I was selling so people would buy and if they buy something, that money would go to my postage fund. And my decision contributed to a successful second market day. I was able to raise almost $300 from selling  in one day. And since I made that decision the next two markets (last one yesterday) made me bring home at least $250 at the end of the day. And these financial results has been a very big help in funding Dress A Girl Australia.

So for those who will be going to the next Dreamers Market next year, dont look for a Dress A Girl Australia stall. Look for Soft Treasures, the name I use when I am in my creative mood, the name I bring when I craft to make a difference in this world. Regardless of which name I bring, everything I am doing is for Dress A Girl Australia to become sustainable anyway so the name should not matter. 

If you spent some time looking around at the stalls, you may remember this stall in particular - this was where I was from 9-3:30pm.

I hope I get to see you next time!

100 Days of Quilting is over

Today is the last day of the '100 Days of Quilting' charity drive and as of today I have received 78 quilts and more to come in the next few weeks as donors start to mail them to Sydney. Twenty of these quilts have already been sent to Romania and more to follow. 

The result of this charity drive is more than I expected and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the donors who have supported this campaign. My heartfelt thank you as well to Margie Burke for the time and effort she donated in the Quilt-a-long with Margie. I hope everyone had fun and enjoyed the experience of learning how to make quilts especially to the newbies.

For those who still want to learn how to make a quilt, the quilt-a-long with Margie is still available for everyone to access. Just click on the 'Quilt-a-Long with Margie Burke' tab which you will find at the top of this page or click here.

To see images of the quilts received so far, please click here. This album will get updated whenever quilts are received.

Thank you so much.

Quilt #78 from Margie Burke

Quilt Number 78 is from Margie Burke, the gracious lady who donated her time and effort to head a 'Quilt-a-long with Margie Burke'.

To Margie, thank you so much for everything. Thank you for the time and effort you spent on the quilt-a-long. Am sure it was such a great learning experience for everyone. Thank you.

Quilt #77 from Sue-Ellen

In addition to the thongs was this piece of quilt from Sue-Ellen Cox for the children of Romania to keep them warm this winter bringing my total quilts received to 77.  A very impressive result for only 100 days of charity drive.

To Sue-Ellen, thank you so much for your unwavering support of Dress A Girl (Around the World) Australia. Your time and effort, kindness and generosity is very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

More than a mile #11 - 2 pairs from Sue-Ellen

From Sue-Ellen Cox are 2 pairs bringing my total to 64 as of today. Included in the parcel was another quilt which is going to be acknowledged separately.

To Sue-Ellen, thank you so much for your support, kindness and generosity. It is very much appreciated.

If you are wondering why am collecting thongs, this is for the children of Wilcannia NSW. If you can help, it will be very much appreciated. For more details, please feel free to send an email to dressagirlaustralia@gmail.com. Thank you.

Clothing Sponsorship program for South Africa

Last week I wrote about a clothing sponsorship program I am joining to provide 2 sets of clothes for a child in South Africa. One for winter and one for summer. Joan Adams the manager of the Morning Star foundation thought that I was going to sponsor only one child. I said no I am sponsoring a lot. So she sent me these pictures of the few kids who will be benefitting from the clothing sponsorship program starting next year. Arent they cute?

Watch out for more details about this clothing sponsorship program early next year. Instead of sponsoring financially I get to sponsor with dresses and shorts that can be worn during their winter time and summer time. Am on the initial stage of planning on how best to send these clothes twice a year at the lowest postage cost I could get. 

For more information about Dress A Girl(Around the World) Australia, please feel free to send an email to dressagirlaustralia@gmail.com.

Kits for girls

Good Morning everyone! I have been getting a lot of emails lately about the days for girls campaign. This is what I think about it(my own personal view). The campaign is a very good thing but to make the kits effective and productive, the recipients of these kits need to be trained or taught on how to use them otherwise it defeats the purpose. I may have the means to send them to different locations but I do not have the proper resources to provide training to the recipients. 

So for those who really want to help in this area, I would highly recommend to contact or visit the days for girls organization's website and from there you will see the contact people for the Australian chapters. Am sure they would love to help people who want to support their cause. Thanks everyone!

More than a mile #10 - 7 pairs from Gaylene

Seven pairs this time from Gaylene Herrmann who is one of the early supporters of Dress A Girl Australia. Also included in the parcel she sent were dresses that will be acknowledged separately. Here are the 7 pairs that am pretty confident will generate 7 big smiles when received -

To Gaylene, thank you so much for your unwavering support of Dress A Girl (around the world) Australia. Thank you for your kindness and generosity which is helping make this world a better place. It is so much appreciated. Thank you.

More than a mile #8 and #9 - from the dynamic duo Betty Barrett and Betty Paull

Although the parcels came separately, am acknowledging these pairs of thongs together that came from a special pair of ladies who provides support and inspiration to Dress A Girl Australia as a pair of 85-year olds.  Betty Barrett and Betty Paull. If you watched the movie 'Forrest Gump' perhaps you would remember Forrest Gump often saying 'Me and Jenny goes together like peas and carrots'. That is Betty Barrett and Betty Paull, they go together like peas and carrots and this time between the 2 of them are these 9 pairs of thongs. 
These pairs came from Betty Paull -

 and these pairs came from Betty Barrett -

To dear Betty B and Betty P, thank you so much for all the help and support you have provided to Dress A Girl (around the world) Australia. Thank you for all the time and effort you both spend together making this world a better place. You two are such an inspiration to everyone and a great example especially for the younger ones. Thank you so much.

More than a mile #7 - 6 pairs from Mo

6 happy kids with the 6 pairs of thongs from Mo O'Brien and number 7 on the list. In the same parcel were dresses, pairs of shorts and t-shirts to be acknowledged separately. Here are the thongs from Mo -

Such great kindness and generosity, thank you so much Mo for making this world a better place. It is so much appreciated.

More than a mile #6 from Cassandra

Number 6 on 'more than a mile' list is a parcel of 5 pairs of thongs from Cassandra Biadacz. Cassandra is a great supporter of the Dress a girl around the world campaign. Here are the pairs she sent for the drive -

To Cassandra, thank you so much for your support. Through your kindness and generosity, the world is so much a better place. Thank you.

More than a Mile #5 - Another 5 pairs from Agnes

This is the bag that I did not carry with me yesterday because of the heat. Inside the bag were 5 more pairs of thongs from Agnes Kwong. Early this year, Agnes visited Uganda and Kenya and she said that coming back from the trip made her realize how lucky she was and that sometimes she thinks about the children she met on the trip in school and in orphanages and how she can make a difference to some of those kids' life in her own little way. Here are the pairs she donated this time -

To Aggie, thank you so much for your support of this charity drive. Much appreciated.

Connected to a village in Uganda

Dress A Girl Australia is now connected to a village where a well for clean water will be constructed once the funds are available. Here is a profile of the village Kalagi in Uganda -

Village Profile: Kalagi, Uganda

• Parish: Degeya
• Sub-County: Kalagala
• County: Bamunanika
• District: Luwero
• Current water source: Open Pond
• Population: 700 Children; 300 Adults

KALAGI VILLAGE is located in the Luwero Central Region, Luwero District in the subcounty of Kalagala. Following the Uganda-Tanzania War that removed Idi Amin Dada from power in 1979, a period of intense competition and fighting for control between different groups followed. Luwero was the heart of the Liberation War of 1981-1986 when a guerrilla war was waged by the National Resistance Army (NRA) against the then government of Milton Obote and later of Tito Okello. Many civilian lives were lost when Obote’s forces retaliated against the NRA. Although numerous Obote soldiers had previously survived Idi Amin’s terrorist activities, they sadly turned to the same type of actions against the NRA. The area of the Luwera District had many refugee camps that were subject to military control and human rights abuses. Having been at the heart of this war-ravaged area, leaders quickly abandoned the land and moved to Kampala to enjoy their victory. As a result, this area has been ignored by past and current governments so badly that the only significant development has been a paved road that was put in three years ago. Every single person living here continues to suffer greatly from these historic challenges.

The original water source of Kalagi is an open pond located 4.0 kilometers from the village. Because the pond is open, animals also have access to it, tracking in mud and sediment when they drink and often going to the bathroom in or near the pond. When it rains, water runs over the ground collecting pollutants and pours them into the source. The small pool is a dark brown color indicating the enormous amount of mud and silt that get stirred up. Dense foliage around some of the pond can hide snakes and other animals. Water-borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery abound in this source and are responsible for many cases of sick villagers. The very young and the elderly usually suffer the most and fragile lives are often lost to the ravages of these diseases. And still they continue to drink this filthy, horrific water because they simply have no way to obtain clean water.

  ** Picture courtesy of Water-4-Kids International **

  ** Picture courtesy of Water-4-Kids International **

  ** Picture courtesy of Water-4-Kids International **

  ** Picture courtesy of Water-4-Kids International **

 ** Picture courtesy of Water-4-Kids International **

** Picture courtesy of Water-4-Kids International **

The situation for life and health are desperate and often hopeless in the village of Kalagi. But the lives of these precious villagers will soon be radically changed for the better with your gift of a borehole. This deep well will provide fresh, pure water for these villagers and their surrounding community. They will simply have to pump a small handle on their new well to receive clear, clean, life-giving water. Health, safety and abundant life will no longer be a dream for the families of this village, they will be a reality. Sparkling, untainted water will be readily available to them year-round. The number of people impacted by your generosity includes 700 children and 300 adults, including the people from five surrounding villages, four schools and five churches. Access to clean water will enhance the growth of every child in this area thereby helping build up a nation and our world at large.

Get ready everyone to help this village for once get clean water through your kindness and generosity. Make it the best Christmas ever for the 700 children and 300 adults including the people from five surrounding villages, four schools and five churches.
For more information, please feel free to send an email to dressagirlaustralia@gmail.com.

More than a mile #4 - From Agnes and friend Candy

Took home another batch of thong takeaway from work with 8 pairs from Agnes and her family friend Candy who bought 2 extra pairs upon knowing what the thongs were for. Agnes will try to bring more but sizes would be bigger she said if it is okay.

Thank you Agnes and Candy! So much appreciated.

If you want to join us in this charity drive of raising 100 pairs of thongs for the children of Wilcannia, please feel free to do so. You can send any pair between the sizes of 5 to 14 (children's sizes if that is ok) to the address below -

Dress A Girl Australia
P.O. Box 240
Casula Mall Casula
NSW 2170

Thank you everyone!

Charity Drives Update

Here is an update on the active charity drives - 

Day 91 - 9 days to go on the "100 Days of Quilting" for the children of Romania - 76 quilts received as of today. This drive is on fire!

Day 7 - 33 days to go on the "More than a mile" with thongs for the children of Wilcannia NSW - 29/100 thongs received as of today. The heat is on!

Thanks a whole lot everyone!

To keep the dream alive

Since I started the Dress A Girl Around the World campaign, the most difficult task (I must admit) I have to  undertake is raise money for postage. Dress A Girl Australia is a self-funded charity work. Contrary to what other people are thinking (for which I dont have the time to listen to them), there are no big sponsors to back me up except my creativity. I've had very generous personal donors who helped me along the way and very thankful and grateful to them but to keep on going...to keep the dream alive I have to be creative all the time and believe me it has been a bold, difficult and daring journey of creativity (especially when you work full-time M to F). Every now and then I have to come up with something to make and sell, something one cannot easily find to make it attractive for anyone to purchase. The possibilities are endless I know but only when you have the time to spare.

Well, this week I came up with something again. I've had this box full of materials with me for quite some time but never had the chance to create something out of it but with my other new big project coming up of providing a well for a village in Uganda I decided it is time to do something. Unlike the dresses which is on-going, the well is a one-time project but still needs money.  This is one of the 3 handmade projects I am thinking of selling to raise money for the well and postage fund. 

Here is a preview of my latest creation and I really hope it would click in the market especially to the younger generation. Proceeds from the sale of this item is to help young children in disadvantaged locations, give hope to a village through clean water and what better way to keep this dream alive...is for younger people to support by making a purchase of this handmade decoupaged pendant. Young people from fortunate locations helping their counterparts in disadvantaged locations, making a difference thus making this world a better place. I hope they would love this decoupaged pendant.

Am still in the process of thinking on how to package it and whether it should come with a chain or not but soon it will be available from my Dress A Girl shop. Since this is totally handmade, there wont be that many as I probably wont have the time to make a lot but will try to meet whenever there is a demand.

So one of the secret is out. :-) If anyone is interested, please feel free to send me an email at dressagirlaustralia@gmail.com.