Scarves to help women in Ethipia

Who doesn't love a scarf?  These scarves have magic in them.  Oh, listen here friends.  Not only did these two scarves win a design contest they are being made in Ethiopia by women in need.  

Through Kickstarter they are being sold so these scarves will not be mass produced, but made by hand, exclusively.  If you buy one and only other 200 people buy one, that's it- only 200 scarves of that kind in the world.  How cool!

Since we have a little piece of Africa in our home after Reagan went to Africa, we love to see projects that help benefit the lovely people there.

#fashionABLEplusAlt

Tuesday Music Video- Alex Boye

I have a great respect for Alex Boye and mention him often.  He's haitian, came to America with a dream, sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and has now branched out to his own singles career.  Plus, his work is inspiring and excellent.

Folks, he's in town at Benaroya Hall. Hope you can take advantage of seeing him up close!

Africa and Reagan part 2

excited to be on the way to Kenya- LONNNG plane ride

Reagan flew from Seattle to Washington, D.C. to Zurich, Switzerland then to Mombasa, Kenya.  It took almost 2 days to get there.  The expedition group arrived around midnight so they had to figure out quick whether to sleep or stay awake- oooh, can we say jet lag????!!!!

This is the compound where they stayed.  Very nice!

Here is the sleeping area for the compound.  Those lovely nets aren't interior design luxuries;  oh, no- they are a must to keep away bugs and nasty diseases that foreigners don't want to get.

This is the kitchen in the compound.  Very simple?  Yes, because they eat almost the same foods every day.  

Here is a village.  Reagan is wearing what is called a Kanga.  It's a long piece of cloth that women wrap around their legs.  Kenya is very traditional- men wear pants and women wear skirts or dresses.

Africa and Reagan

Drill in the Village, July 2013

Reagan has been back for a month now, but we've been busy reconnecting, saying goodbye to Eden for 6 months, and playing as a family.  We still haven't heard all of her Africa stories- there is SO MUCh to tell.  Let's start at the beginning.  You might remember the fundraiser that started it all, way back in April.  That feels LONG AGO.  Thank you again for everyone that helped, participate, and donated for the drill!  

Reagan getting Drill ready

expedition group getting drill ready to transport

Reagan with the finished drill

villagers happy to enjoy clean, easy to access water right at home

Wholives.org drill helps lives change

Reagan participates in the drilling

villagers help with the drill

As you can see, the WhoLives village drill changes lives for the better!  Reagan loved helping the people of the village get a dream come true- clean and accessible water!  Can you imagine, not understanding 'water from the tap'?  We are blessed.

Come back in a few days to see how American kids tried hauling 40-50lbs of water.  No small feat?
Does clean water seem like an important issue to you?  Tell me your thought.

Reagan in Africa

Reagan is in Kenya doing fine.  She says the kids there are wonderful and silly.  If you weren't able to go to the Wholives.org benefit concert in April, here are 2 videos worth watching.  I wish I could put the whole evening up there- but that would be long!!  Ha!  Enjoy.





In harmony,

Leslie

Helping Mali, Africa

** Gigi, Yeah Samake, me

When we were in Utah last month, we had the opportunity to meet Yeah Samake from Mali, Africa.  Have you ever shook someone's hand and felt their love, intelligence, or their power?  Well, I felt all 3 from this man.

He comes from a family of 18 children-whew!- and humble beginnings in his village, to coming to America for college and now he's running for president of his country!

He was able to ward off a military coup that would have allowed Al Qaeda into his country (which malevolent force is trying to spread its evil to Africa).  Yeah is trying to teach his country that the president isn't about power, greed, and corruption.  He wants to show his people that he can rule with love, intelligence, and provide a legacy for their children of hospitals and schools.

I felt blessed to meet him.  He's travelling around the world meeting leaders of state, people like you and me, and anyone that can help his cause- to free his people from corruption, Al Qaeda, and lack of knowledge.  Go to www.samake2013.com for more info.  His election is being held in July this year, and I send my prayers to him and his country!

** please excuse they way I looked! We had short notice to this event and had to get to it immediately after our 14 hour drive.

Everett Herald Newspaper- WhoLives for Water Benefit Concert

photo credit

I really have learned a lesson- call your newspaper and do it often.  They really want to know what is going on in your community.  They are so willing to help and so easy to work with.

This is a well-done article about WhoLives, Reagan's efforts for the benefit, and the many, many other people involved to bring about this fundraiser!  I want to thank them all.

Legacy- one way to do it!

Isn't this the coolest poster for the Wholives.org benefit concert this week.  Our goal is to raise enough money to build a well in Kenya.  That means we need to raise around $10,000, which is very doable.  If everyone that comes give $10-15, we can do it!  If you'd like to donate, but can't come, please consider donating through the website.  All donations are tax free!  Donating is fun, and knowing you are helping those who can't get help anywhere else than from US that have MORE, really makes happiness a reality!  This is what a legacy is all about.... Teaching your children to give more than is required of them.

Another Legacy is to teach your child a skill- listen here to Reagan's original song.  This is a sample of what you'll witness on Friday night!

Wholives.org Benefit Concert- please come or donate

Hi Friends

 

 

             

My daughter Reagan is doing a benefit concert for www.Wholives.org  , a charity organization that has an amazing and inspirational story.  WhoLives provides water to remote villages in Africa.  It’s not through just any well, but a newly engineered well that is accessible to everyone.  Reagan’s hope is to bring in enough money to build a well  in Africa this summer.

 

Please help her by attending the concert Friday, April 12th at 7pm, at the Arlington High School Byrnes Performing Arts Center.

 

The line up is Haller Marimba Band, Haller Keynotes Choir, former AHS Jazzmine members in a quartet,  Manigua (a top Seattle Latin Band), and Hey Gracie- a local Arlington cover band, which features my husband, Reagan herself, and my daughter Madison, plus many other locals from Marysville and Arlington.  Also, we are pleased to bring John Renouard, the founder of WhoLives.org, to tell us how he started the organization and how we can help the people in Africa.

 

It will be an evening you won’t forget- foot stomping music (you might even want to get out of your seats!) and a motivating speaker!

 

Admission is free (but we do suggest a donation at the door- all donations are tax deductible).

 

Please bring your friends.  You’ll be talking about this night for a long time.

 

Thanks for taking the time to help a great cause, we hope to see you there.

 

Your friend

Leslie Moss

 

p.s. Here is a little teaser about John Renouard and how WhoLives started, watch the video here

 

 

 

 

 

A little story about the Village Drill

You'll hear this story over and over- please forgive me, but WhoLives.org is an exciting bit of our life right now.  But, it inspires me and sometimes makes me cry!  I hope you can block out your calendar for April 12th, 7 p.m. at the Arlington High School for an exciting benefit concert for.

You must watch this video!  Just being involved with www.Wholives.org has changed my family's life and our vision.  Our goals have changed to be more giving.  See what you think?  Leave me a comment below.

Kenya

Erin Allen's home in Nairobi, Kenya

Since Reagan will be going to Kenya for a month this summer, we are a bit excited.  And, anything that is about Kenya gets attention around here.

I love this site and check it about once a week- and spend TIME reading everything.  It's always got juicy nuggets to read.  This was my fav from last week, a cool house in Kenya.  Wouldn't it be dreamy to live in?  And, I wonder if they consider warthogs like we do mice, bugs, or mold- just a little bit inconvenient and annoying?

In harmony,
Leslie

WhoLives.org

Here is a great video about the Village Drill, made by Wholives.org .  My daughter, Reagan, is doing a benefit in April to raise money for a drill.  You will DEFINITELY be hearing about it.  Meanwhile, this will explain more about what they do!  Enjoy!