Fair Trade Friday- Merry Christmas
This week Fair Trade Friday falls on Christmas Eve. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I would like to take this time to wish you a joyous holiday season.
Unfortunately, there are many who have lost loved ones this past year and are struggling to spend their first holidays without them. There are many still struggling with the effects of COVID and job loss, income loss or other issues.
I shared my thoughts about this on our last Swahili Sunday which you can listen to here.
If you are experiencing some tough times this year, my heart goes out to you. I have close friends who have lost loved ones and I have lost special people and friends to COVID and other illnesses.
If you listened to the video I shared about my childhood and how the holidays were either chaos or sadness depending on what part of my childhood. I worked through all that trauma from my childhood. However, I still struggle at times with the holidays because I live alone. Getting my dog Indigo has been something that has helped me in so many ways. I’m exercising more by walking her and she brings a lot of joy and happiness to my life. I love watching her run at the dog park or beach.
While you are enjoying your holiday with family, friends, or solo, remember the ladies and kids in Kenya. All of us work so hard to ensure that they have a chance at a better life. It’s a challenge every month to ask for support when everyone seems to be “donated out.”However, I can’t sit at my table and eat a meal in the comfort of my home and ignore their struggles. They are part of my heart now and my family.
I don’t have to do what I’m doing. It’s a lot of work and working a job on top of it is sometimes overwhelming and exhausting. I feel my mission is a calling to serve these wonderful women who inspire me with their tenacity.
If you feel like the work we are doing in Kenya is an inspiration and worthy cause, please support with a small donation to end the year. School starts again for them in January and school fees will come due. We need help to pay those fees.
Thank you for your continued support and for staying connected with me and the Baskets and Beads team.
Nakupenda
Eldonna
PS>The Fair Trade Product of the Week are the SoapStone Bowls