the knitting project

I have an amazing group of women 

that I am connected to on Twitter.  

Some I know, and some I don't

All I heart, however

Today I'm spotlighting 

Jen Hatzung 

of 

Rellas Bellas

who is working on her Purpose Project 

as challenged by

The Mocha Club

The Mocha Club is an organization that works a little at a time in a BIG way.  By "giving up the cost of a few mochas", they "support strategic and solution-oriented relief and development projects in Africa."  It's truly awesome!  

They recently challenged attendees of 

The Influence Conference 

to start their own Purpose Projects; 

small but effective outreach projects that can dramatically

improve the lives of people in Africa.

and Jen did just that :)

In a culture where we can spend $5 on a coffee or $400 on a pair of shoes this is a very simple request.

Want to see what just one project can do? Check out this post on Jen's blog, which includes more details on exactly how The Mocha Club is working for women in Africa, and to learn a bit about that incredible scarf she is sporting in her pic :)

The Water Project

what kind of water 

did you drink today?

tap?

filtered?

fiji?

voss?

surely you made sure it was laced with electrolytes..

maybe even spiked with a dash of citrus for flavor

If I'm wrong so far, 

I can be sure that none of you resorted to sipping toilet water

or drawing a bucket from a manhole.

who would do that?  

well.. these children in Sudan would

courtesy of 

so would these residents in Kenya

courtesy of

certainly not because they want to, however..

but because it is the only kind of water they have access to..

Thanks to 

The Water Project

that can be changed

By making a small donation

you can make a huge difference for a community by 

helping to bring clean water to them

Clean water for 

drinking

cleaning

personal hygiene

cooking

and farming

One of the greatest things you can do 

through The Water Project is 

fund an entire well

courtesy of

this takes a generous donation, or a team,

but carries the greatest result in 

providing a community with 

continued access to clean water

If you would like to serve 

in this small but significant way,

you should consider helping our personal friend 

Bernard Chung

shown here with his fiance, Janice

Bernard will be 30 next month

and in lieu of birthday gifts, 

he has requested that his 

friends and family instead

donate to his 

personal Water Project

Not only is his birthday coming up, 

but with an impending wedding, 

these two could easily accept

many gracious gifts..

instead, they want to GIVE.

how awesome is that?? 

He has a pretty great goal, 

but I know he can reach it!  

Please, take a look at his page

and the donation options available

Any amount will help get clean water

to a child that needs it!!

seriously.. 

think about it.. 

This is the reality

What will you do about it, today?

Sole Hope!

Inspired by this post 

by one of my fave Blogtresses, 

Alissa Circle over at Rags to Stitches 

I decided to round up the Princess Posse 

and anyone else who's willing, 

to join me in a shoe cutting party for 

Sole Hope.

courtesy of

An amazing organization, this is..

Spurred by the video I have attached, 

Asher Collie, Founder of Sole Hope, 

courtesy of

decided she wanted to make a difference in the lives 

of those affected by the terrible effects 

of contact with jiggers (chigoe fleas).  

This is a parasite that lives in the sand and soil 

and burrows deep into the skin, 

infecting and paralyzing the body.  

this video is graphic in contact, 

and shows you exactly what is happening right now 

to residents of areas contaminated with this parasite.

Sole Hope works to provide shoes for these people,

as well as equipping them with a trade: sewing shoes!  

courtesy of

By hosting a "shoe cutting party"

you simply cut the pattern for the shoes

and Sole Hope mails your material to these areas

where workers are paid a fair wage to construct

closed-toe shoes for residents

Such a simple act 

and it provides comfort on many levels.

courtesy of

Think of all of the times you 

waltz into your yard to get the mail...

Or dance around the yard with your children...

Or decide to try running...

BAREFOOT

Where we have the choice of shoe-style,

or to wear them at all,

these people have none.  

Many are forced to put their 

precious skin into contaminated soil

and risk this awful result

If you would like to join 

our shoe-cutting party please email me at

theechomission@gmail.com
There is not a date, yet.
I'll be organizing this based on our current
philanthropy schedule!

If you would like to start your own Shoe Cutting Party, 
follow this link and read on for details

You can also purchase shoes, or simply donate to the cause

'Tis the season to go barefoot

with fresh-painted toes into fresh cut grass...

Let's help those who dread 

something we take for granted everyday!!

courtesy of