I've just made a donation on behalf of us all at Obaitori and from those who attended the Red Tent this year to Oxfam. The total was $400.55. I split it up into lots of three.
$150 to Aboriginal Women within Close the Gap Campaign
$100 to Timor-Leste Campaign*
$150.55 Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
$40 Syria Crisis Appeal**
*Just providing simple tools - like a spade and a watering can - to families and communities is life-changing. Umblina De Jesus said,
"There was big change, actually. There was a boy - my cousin. He was very malnourished at the time. And I talked to his mother and I involved the kids in the nutrition program ... And actually there was a girl [in the village] who was not able to walk. But then, after the program, she was able to walk and is growing up now."
"I just want to say thank you very much to you, because my children were malnourished and they have good nutrition now."
** Later I found $40 in my lap top bag - I can't remember who or where this was from - I donated it to Syria. So the grand total is $440.55.
Thank you so much to everyone who has attended any Obaitori gathering this year. You made a difference to our little community of women here and a difference to many women and children in remote areas of Australia and families in Timor-Leste and Southeast Asia.
A big thank you also goes out to the Central Coast Montessori School - Dimitri and Michelle - for allowing us the space to gather once a month for Obaitori.
Personally I want to thank you for your support, love and encouragement. We've had many laughs, shared wisdom, knowledge, spiritual teachings and experienced the blessings of community. May your inner light continue to shine, illuminating your path and those of the fortunate others who walk around you.
