February 2012
Ethiopia Obstetric Fistula Project Presentation
When: Sunday, February 26th 2012 | 7:00 PM
Where: Aldersgate United Methodist Church
14230 SE Newport Way, Bellevue WA 98006
Please come support Kristie McLean and hear about her most recent trip to Ethiopia and her efforts to raise awareness and funding for the issue of obstetric fistula! It will be an evening of photographs, storytelling, and inspiration.
Over the last two years Kristie has traveled twice to Ethiopia to meet and interview women who have suffered from this childbirth injury, many of whom have been in prolonged, obstructed labor for a week or longer with catastrophic results. While some lucky women are able to make the long journey to Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa for treatment and surgery, many others are not so fortunate.
Kristie is spearheading an effort to build a water-powered mill that grinds grain that will help 800 families in the community of Begi, located in Western Ethiopia. This mill will greatly aid rural women in the area who otherwise have the backbreaking job of grinding grain by hand or using more expensive, polluting diesel mills. It will also provide an ongoing sustainable income source for fistula survivors.
Additionally, she hopes to open a training center for fistula patients where they can come and rebuild their shattered confidence, learn basic accounting, literacy, and business skills in raising animals or creating handicrafts, and gain the tools they need to begin their own small business.
Crooked Trails is serving as fiscal sponsor for this project. To learn more, or to make a donation, please visit her website.
March 2012
Half the Sky: Changemakers
A ChickChat event
When: Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
6:30 PM
Where: Uptown Hideaway
817 5th Avenue North, Seattle
Tickets: $25 – Click here to buy tickets now!
March 8th marks the 104th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a holiday celebrating women’s solidarity in the fight for equal, economical and political rights. ChickChat’s Half the Sky: Changemakers Soiree is an inspirational and fun evening that brings women together to empower and uplift each other through the stories of local non-profits and women who are true Changemakers in the local communtiy and world at large. The inspiration for this event came after reading the book, “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity Worldwide” – a lifechanging read that highlights brave womens’ personal stories of oppression and triumph, from around the world.
(Girls 13+ are welcome, accompanied by an adult)
May 2012
Cinco de Mayo Casino Night
When: Saturday, May 5th, 2012
7:00PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Lakewood Seward Park Community Center
4916 S. Angeline, Sea. WA 98118
Tickets: $40 – Click here to buy tickets now!
Includes: one beer, food, 3500 in chips. (1000 chips =$10 for bidding purposes)
Gamble with a Purpose – Get your Mexican ON!
This year Casino Night will be held on May 5th to honor our friends to the south and enjoy the food and drink of Mexico! Come and play casino and card games, enjoy margaritas, beer and tequila, and tasty Mexican food. Take your winnings and bid on excellent auction items! All proceeds go to support Crooked Trails and school construction projects in Nepal. Bring your friends and have fun getting dressed up. Banditos, senoritas and everything in between is welcome.