bake sales work. who'd a thunk it...

never would i have presumed that the "third grade bake sale" fundraising approach would actually be a worthwhile event, but let me eat my words when saying i made $140 by selling 28 goat cheese/chocolate truffles and 21 rosemary shortbread cookies to my coworkers at bloomspot (priced at $2 and $1.50, respectively). 

for you inquisitive souls, if you did the calculation you'd realize i should have generated just under ninety dollars.  having made nearly double my anticipated amount, i don't know what to say other than this: i was worried to even announce my departure for fear that i'd get the professional axe, but instead i've earned nothing but prolific support, financial and emotional, plus some super hilarious comments such as "you're way more interesting than i thought".  cherish those.  

cooler still is the CEO's excitement at the prospect of hosting a fundraiser pour moi at our new facility: a super chic art gallery in SOMA.  keep your eyes peeled for details...and if you're at all artistically, musically, or culinary inclined, we're hoping to provide food, drink, music, and an abundance of art for a silent auction.  

lastly, the incorporated photo is of Father Komba, our closest contact in Korogwe who i had the good fortune to meet while at the Boston orientation.  his smile is infectious, and his love for tanzanian food seems all too prevalent in this tomato - centric photo.

fundraising progress...

its been a while since i've given a fundraising update, so in honor of my T - minus six week departure date, please allow me to share the good news that i'm  now a wee bit past 1/6th of the way to my goal!  huzzah! 

the truly phenomenal thing is a modest handful of generous folks were responsible for this humbling sum, and to those thirteen people I THANK YOU!  (you even get capital letters to show the depth of my gratitude).

there are still a few fundraising tricks up my sleeve, so keep checking those in-boxes for some fun and inclusive events that might entice you to leave the house and enjoy the sunny weather that is upon us.  until then, keep up the enthusiasm and support ... its contagious in the best of ways.

but wait!  upon hearing of my progress, my lovely friend and co-worker Renee Grelecki donated $10 ... so let's make that $1315! 

progress. in several regards...

my sister lauren and i had moderate success at our craft table at the winters outdoor quilt festival, especially since our booth was awkwardly placed in a patch of rose bushes.  the highlight may well have been spending the whole day together and eating lox - caper - cream cheese bagels, but on the bright side we were pleased to contribute $90 to the 2Seeds fund from our sales and the kind souls who pulled donations directly from their wallets.

because we still have much that we'd like to sell, both lauren and i will continue to donate 100% of our profits on any sales made between now and my departure. journals?  terrariums? jewelry?   check out these pictures of our craft table and let us know if you're interested in purchasing anything or finding out more about our handmade items.

in other news, i officially have my departure date: august 3rd.  let the countdown (both excitement and freak out) begin! the first two weeks i'll be in korogwe with the other project coordinators practicing our swahili and acclimating to a culture quite foreign to our own.  after that point, each of the project coordinators scatter to their respective sights and begin assimilating to their new communities...families...and homes.  to introduce you to mine, here's a bit of info about my team:

sarah pontier: born and raised outside kansas city, she to ohio (miami university) to complete a degree in international studies with a concentration on african studies.  she's a traveling fiend, having been to almost all 50 states and several other exotic locales including mali, africa and fiji.  and she, much like myself, is an organizational fanatic and avid cooker, reader, writer and consumer of music...but unlike myself, she has a self-confessed pitiful memory.

fatma mnimbo: her home town is arusha (tanzania), but she moved to dodoma to complete a degree in geography and environmental studies.  she is the baby of five siblings, one brother and three sister and her interests are as broad as her siblings: reading historical books, experiencing new cultures and languages, music and film.  she, as a tanzanian, is thrilled to be involved with 2Seeds Network and make a positive chance in her community.

fundraising progress...

thank you to the generous few who have made donations already!  i am so very appreciative of your selfless support, and hope you "pioneers" set an example for the folks who' are still considering donating.  as with all things, the beginning is the hardest part, but growing momentum is on the horizon!  

if you live in the Davis or Sacramento area, please come visit me at the winters outdoor quilt fest where my sister and i will be selling wide selection our crafts and donating 100% of the profits to 2Seeds Network.  pictures of the products will be up shortly, but details of the event are as follows:

saturday, june 11th

10 a.m. to 4 p.m

rotary park (corner of railroad and main streets)

winters, california 

best of all...it's outside!!!