Just a friendly reminder that our next meet-up is next Tuesday. Show up anytime after 8pm at the Embassy in Kensington market.
For more info check out our Good Meets section!
Hope to see you there!
Direct Action
Great News to Start the New Year
The great news round-up for January is up on the Great News page.
As a reminder, you can always sign up to receive the great news newsletter, which is released once a month.
One last thing: our next meet up will be on Feb. 21st at the Embassy in Kensington Market. Show up any time after 8 pm to mingle with people who want to make the world a better place!
Banking for Beggars
How do you break the vicious cycle of poverty?
The Grameen Bank in India is doing it by issuing microcredit loans to poor people who can then use the money to engage in entrepreneurial activities, like lime-making, garment sewing, and transport services. As of July 2004, the bank had 1267 branches and 3.7 million borrowers, 96 percent of whom were women. 94 percent of the bank is owned by borrowers. In late 2003, the bank established a new lending program specifically for beggars in Bangladesh.
Overall, the initiative has been wildly successful.
Theater for Change
Young actors are telling their stories of life on the street through a theater program called Cobblestone, a performance troupe out of Mixed Company Theater in Toronto. The program, 12 years running, regularly auditions street youth for the opportunity to work with an award winning playwright, Rex Devrell. Together they develop narritives based on real life stories and explore important issues that face street youth.
Deverell is providing the young actors with a place to be heard and the chance to explain the circumstances that brought them to the streets in the first place. In letting the kids know that they are not ignored and are worthwhile the program builds self esteem and has helped street youth get back on their feet. Many kids have gone on to find new jobs and a safe place to live after their experiences with the company.
Cobblestone is acting as a venue for social change while also setting the stage for community awareness. Combine that with the entertaining and interactive nature of their latest production entitled “Voices” and you’ve got one amazing accomplishment in the Toronto theater community.
Voices will have 2 public performances in Toronto on February 9th and 10th @ 8pm at the Alchemy Theater (133 Tecumseth St, 416 515 8080)
Camp Sizanani
Camp Sizanani is a special place. Located near Johannesburg, South Africa, Sizanani provides children affected with HIV/AIDS a place to escape, to grow, and most importantly, to be kids. Sizanani offers campers the opportunity to swim, dance, test their creativity in Arts & Crafts, and play a variety of sports. The camp also hosts a unique program that teaches campers a variety of life skills, such as nutrition, hygiene, healthy sexuality, and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Sizanani is a Zulu word meaning “help each other.” The camp is part of a non-profit corporation called World Camps, which aims to “provide a camp experience for children affected by HIV/AIDS in developing countries and to change prevailing attitudes and behaviors towards AIDS.” Sizanani is one of several initiatives planned by World Camps.
Boys and girls attend Camp Sizanani for separate ten day sessions. There are six sessions held each year. Typically, the camp can accomodate 110 children (ranging in age from 10-15 years old). It draws many of its campers from Soweto, and is staffed both by local folks and international volunteers.