Tuesday, November 5, 2013

giveaway!

As promised, a giveaway!

All the way from Ethiopia.



This traditional, handmade, 50x160cm, cotton/rayon scarf, is one of many ethically-sourced items sold to support the work of 

And it could be yours!
Read on for giveaway details.

Backstory:

Some time ago, I watched the PBS film,
"A Walk to Beautiful." Have you seen it?

It is a beautifully-crafted and powerful film, sharing the stories of women who endured obstructed labor and, as a result, not only lost a baby but went on to suffer the physical, emotional and social effects of an obstetric fistula, causing permanent incontinence. The women's "walk" is to Dr. Hamlin's obstetric fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, where treatment - surgical, emotional, and educational - is provided at no charge, through donations and with the support of the Ethiopian government.




"A Walk to Beautiful" is not always easy to watch, but I was absolutely riveted to the screen. And here is the most important thing - it left me feeling hopeful. And believing that even my tiny donation to support Dr. Hamlin's work would be a genuine contribution to something very, very good. Thousands of women's lives have been turned around, one by one by one. And Dr. Hamlin's efforts have expanded beyond the hospital at Addis Ababa: there are now five smaller regional fistula hospitals, an outreach program, and a 4-year College for Midwives!

Dr. Hamlin inspires me, not only because she is clearly a gifted doctor, a tireless visionary, and a generally interesting and articulate person, but also because she is a beautiful example of a person who confronts a massive challenge and just gets on with the job at hand, day by day. Cheers, Dr. Hamlin.

~~~

Now, the giveaway details. Easy-peasy.

Anyone*, anywhere on the planet**, is eligible to enter. Feel free to share this post in any way you like. The more the merrier.

To enter the giveaway, just:

1) leave a comment on this blog post, mentioning one person who inspires you.

2) that's it!

Entries close on Wednesday, 13 November. I'll do a random-number-generated drawing and will announce the winner on the blog on Thursday, the 14th. If the winner doesn't contact me with a mailing address by Saturday the 16th, I'll draw another name. So check back on the 14th, please! 
~~~

* re: "anyone" 
You don't have to follow my blog, but if you'd like to, you are more than welcome. There are a couple of "follow" options in the sidebar, and although I have not been able to put up a subscribe button for feedly (believe me, I have tried!), you can always manually add my blog address to your feedly list.

** re: "anywhere on the planet" 
People on the International Space Station are also eligible to enter, but delivery of the scarf will take place following the winner's return to Earth.

Good luck, everyone!!!

~~~~~

25 comments:

  1. I read about obstetric fistulas back in college, and I was incredibly saddened that these women face such terrible circumstances. Having required a c section due to malpresentation myself, I feel incredibly lucky to have access to first world healthcare.

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  2. I have seen the program and have a link to it on my Rav page and have shared it as often as possible. The women are amazing. So strong.
    Thank you for spreading the word.

    NanaMamah on Rav

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  3. As a retired nurse I was aware of the terrible fistula problem and some of its more primitive causes. Thank you for doing the post, the more people who know about this the better. As women we must stand up for each other.

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  4. My mother inspires me, and that is who I would give this scarf to should my number be drawn. For all the hardship she came from, for all the obstacles in her path as a penniless reservation kid without home or sense of family, she became the center if a giant, extended family network and keeps us all together. My mother is my best friend, and I admire her greatly.

    Sheri/SovereignCrux on Ravelry

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  5. What a beautiful scarf, a reminder of the wonderful work being done by Dr. Hamlin. The person who inspires me is actually my own husband. He is wise, kind and humble and God has given him a heart for the Eastern Europeans, for whom he is often a surrogate Father. They have left their families in Hungary and Poland and life is hard for them. Most of all, he 'trusts in the lord with all his heart and leans not unto his own understanding'

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  6. I am going to read about Dr Hamlin, she sounds like an amazing lady. Thankyou for bringing this work to my attention and offering this beautiful scarf as a gift to one of your Internet friends.

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  7. I have heard this amazing story. Dr. Hamlin is an inspiration. Mother Theresa I find most inspirational as well.

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  8. I am always inspired by all the wonderful and creative Crafters on Ravelry.
    rosebob on ravelry

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  9. My Mother inspires me daily. Now that I have my own child (and only one), I am inspired by how much she gave up to give my siblings and me a wonderful life.

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  10. I had not heard about Dr. Hamlin's work until I read this post. Isn't it amazing the impact a single person can make on the world? She is certainly inspirational. I am inspired by Malala Yousafzai, an amazingly brave and articulate young woman who has risked her life to fight for the right of girls to an education.

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  11. My Mother always inspired me, wish she was still with me. sparky136 on Ravelry

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  12. Who inspires me? Hmm, narrowing it down to one person is hard. I'm going to choose The Bear Walker from Minnesota, Dr. Lynn Rogers. He's dared to go against conventional wisdom, studying bears by befriending them rather than by darting and sedating them. He's faced a lot of adversity in the past year but has not wavered in his beliefs and actions.

    A beautiful post!

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  13. A person that has inspired me a lot and the reason why I got into social work is Father Gregory Boyle. I hope one day to also open a non-profit organization that helps those in need.

    Thank you for sharing this post.

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  14. What a lovely scarf, and how generous of you to offer it! I didn't seem to have a way to comment, so I'm Zoomama1 from Rav! Or random number "winner". ;-)

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    1. Oh holy cow. I forgot to write the inspiration! I'm inspired by a rabbi I used to have. He lived up to the values of his religion. He was as kind as could be. He never gossiped. He never let the law override human dignity. I'd love to live up to his example. Zoomama1 at Rav.

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  15. I read the book Half the Sky where fistula repair was discussed. Very worthwhile read.

    Jane Goodall inspires me.

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  16. Malala Yousafzai inspires me. I am RowdyGirl on Rav.

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  17. It's hard to choose just one inspirational person, but I think if I had to pick only one I would say Gandhi. -mayerlove on Ravelry

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  18. I first heard about this issue on Oprah years ago. Anyone who changes their whole life and gives unconditionally for the good of others is to be admired. When it is your passion, it is an easy choice. Kudos to you for helping in any way you can. The scarf is a beautiful color. God bless, Tammy

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  19. Eleanor Roosevelt. So many good ideas and so much courage.

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  20. Name is uname on Rav. I'm inspired by the Doctor.

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  21. My best friend inspires me. She is such a caring and compassionate woman.

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  22. This is beautiful! Thank you for the opportunity!

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