Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Great Quote

"Giving is a universal opportunity.  Regardless of your age, profession, religion, income bracket, and background, you have the capacity to create change."  (Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, Philanthropist)

Friday, February 10, 2012

Opportunities in Cambodia

Recently, Elevita Cofounder, Kirsten Monson, and Elevita Volunteer, Cami Bruschke, traveled with their families to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  While there they were able to meet with a group of local women to discuss goods they could produce for Elevita.  Elevita was motivated to help these women, as many of them live in impoverished circumstances without electricity or running water.  These women had many marketable skills, including the ability to make gorgeous silk ties and bags, but many of them who knew how to sew had no sewing machine or means to produce the items.  With the help of some donations from good friends, Elevita was able to purchase for these women both a sewing machine and a serger.  They will keep the machines in a common community place so they can all have access to them in their free time.  Now that these women have been enabled to use their skills, Elevita is looking forward to carrying many of their products in the future.  In a country where $20 can feed a family of 5 for 3 weeks, the supplemental income these women can earn by selling their products to Elevita will go a long way toward helping their families.