Hi Dominique,
Well if you’ve been M.A.D. with me from the start, then you’ll know this newsletter has been a while coming. Thanks for your patience and continued interest.
For those you’ve just come on board . welcome!
This M.A.D. update is a little longer than usual as it’s been a few months in the making. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through it and reconnect with why making a difference in the world is important to you.
I encourage you to join us as we grow into a wonderful, creative, powerful and inspiring organisation dedicated to making a positive difference in the world. Please forward this email onto anyone who wishes to go M.A.D. with us. They can subscribe for a monthly newsletter at www.themadproject.com.
Together we can make a difference.
Blessings,
Arcadia
Ph: 5429 6572
Mob: 0427 296 572
Web: http://www.themadproject.com/
p.s. This is the first time I’ve used a new format to send out this newsletter. Please let me know if it doesn’t come out properly your end - with photos/formatting etc. Thanks!
My vision
Over the past few months, as well as working on the practical side of M.A.D., I’ve done a lot of soul searching. When I started running events at the start of the year, I knew the general direction I was heading in, but not specifically what I wanted to create.
With the help of some dear friends I’ve been able to get very clear on the direction that M.A.D. needs to take.
M.A.D. needs to be inclusive, not exclusive so I won’t be running any more ‘Women For Change’ groups. M.A.D. is about working together and whilst the women’s groups were beneficial, it left out the wonderful male dynamic … so important in creating change in the world. It’s also a lot easier for me to run one group rather than two or more!
M.A.D. is about connecting people who want to make a difference with those who already are. As Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
What’s in my heart and at the heart of M.A.D. is a focus on supporting people where there is the highest need. For me, this is with projects that provide the most basic of human needs . food, clothing and shelter as well as safety, education and medical care.
Of course I encourage you to make a difference in the areas that call to you. Perhaps it’s protecting the environment, caring for the elderly, supporting your local community, working with sick children or creating animal habitats.
Find what it is you feel passionate about and then go M.A.D. - Go make a difference!
What on earth have we been up to…
Website
I’ve been working with a beautiful couple, Vanya and Jody Marciewicz from Aqua Websites: http://www.aquawebsites.com/ to create the M.A.D. website. It’s still under construction, but soon you’ll be able to come and have a look around and find out how you can promote your project or event or how you can offer your support where it’s really needed.
Rotary fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Glasshouse Mountains recently supported both the M.A.D. Project and B.A.D.YA.C, a local Glasshouse Youth Project by staging ‘A Choral Concert.’
My good friends John, Laurie, Ingrid and Rick helped to organise the event which raised enough money for M.A.D. to pay for the website and print lovely business cards (on recycled paper of course). plus a little bit leftover.
An amazing number of performers gave freely of their time in what turned out to be a wonderful event. Thanks to everyone involved!
The ‘Official’ Launch
John Wright and I have been working on piecing together a beautiful powerpoint presentation which will be the feature at the upcoming ‘official’ M.A.D. launch (date to come). I’ve been blessed to have been allowed access to stunning, beautiful yet powerful images from photographers around the world in creating what I hope to be an inspiring presentation.
U.K. based group bliss http://www.blissfulrecords.com/ has agreed for The M.A.D. Project to feature one of their songs, ‘One Wish’ in the powerpoint which will eventually be available as a free download on our website and at sites like youtube. I can hardly wait to show it to you.
Events that Make a Difference…
Geraldine Cox to visit Maleny - October 5 and 7
More than anything, Geraldine Cox wanted to be a mother. Her dream came true; just not in quite the way she had expected.
Geraldine found her true purpose in caring for Cambodian orphans - the tragic victims of three decades of war and destruction. In her book, ‘Home is where the Heart is,’ Geraldine tells of an extraordinary life that, while it never lacked excitement, sometimes lacked fulfilment before her involvement with the children of Cambodia.
In Australia next month to speak and raise funds for the Sunrise Children’s Village, a Cambodian orphanage she co-founded in 1993. Geraldine will tell of her amazing journey as she introduces the audience to her unforgettable children and shares their stories.
Back in Cambodia many more orphans are waiting to be taken in under Sunrise’s wings, but more sponsors are required before they can be accepted.
In praise of Geraldine, Hollywood actor Matt Damon said “She’s not a saint, she’s human. I was just incredibly moved by her and by her work.”
Fellow actor Danny Glover added “Her commitment in bringing awareness about the plight of these forgotten Cambodian children will never be forgotten.”
Celebrity agent Harry M Miller states “What an outstanding story this is and what an outstanding woman Geraldine is and what an amazing path she has travelled.” and Geraldine’s work is summed up in the words of British actor Peter Ustinov, “She has the courage to believe she can make a difference.”
Geraldine Cox will be the guest speaker at the Rotary Dinner to be held on Wednesday October 3 at 6.30 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased at Roger Loughnan Real Estate in Maleny, or by phoning 5445 7293 or 5478 6303.
On Friday October 5 there’ll will be a free screening of at the Maleny Community Centre of ‘My Khymer Heart’ the documentary made on Geraldine and her work. Screening starts at 7.30pm and Geraldine will be there afterwards to answer questions. For more information on the project visit: http://www.sunrisechildrensvillage.com/.
Ebenezer Fundraiser - October 20
‘Around the World in Eight Courses’ is the latest exciting event being organised by local group, Friends of Ebenezer. On Saturday October 20, Maleny couple, David and Kristen McKinnie will host a special sit down dinner for 50 people at ‘Macadamia Farm’ in North Maleny to support over African 200 orphans.
Dishes will be served from Africa, Morocco, Malaysia, Greece, Australia as well as European countries.
The night will be licensed and feature live music, a small auction, a little trivia quiz and all hosted by yours truly.
Lenore Burton started Friends of Ebenezer after hearing her friend and former neighbour Ranji had started a street feeding program for the children in Livingstone, Zambia.
The program has gone from strength to strength with what started off as feeding a handful of children to a centre that now accommodates, educates and provides basic needs to over 200 children.
The event is on Saturday October 20, 6.30 for 7pm at the cost of just $50.00 per person - that’s for eight courses and a complimentary drink! Tickets will sell out fast so please RSVP by October 8 to Lenore on 54 296 194 or email ric1945len@yahoo.com.au.
If you can’t make it to the event, you may consider sponsoring one of the children. Just $10 a month provides food, clothing, education and a home. The love comes for free!
Christmas Gift Party
Get your Christmas shopping done early knowing that 100% of the money you spend is going to needy orphans in Ethiopia via the Atetegeb Worku Memorial Orphan Support Association http://www.amosa.org/ and the Hope for Children Organisation http://www.hopeforchildren.org.au/
Date - Saturday, the 27th of October 2007
Time - 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Place - School of Arts Hall, Blackall Street Woombye.
RSVP - Sandy Johnson on 5441 4609 or mailto: ijsj@ozemail.com.au
We would like to invite you to bring along at least one item of value (handmade if possible) to donate. We will display all the items for sale or silent auction and people can have fun choosing their Christmas presents. There will be a wide range of presents for all different tastes and age groups. In addition to the donated items that you bring along, tea and coffee and afternoon tea will be for sale at a minimal cost. There’ll also be raffles and some great prizes for the children. (Payment for purchases on the day may be made by cash or cheque as we will not have credit card facilities available).
Need some ideas? You may like to bake a Christmas cake or pudding, make a preserve or sauce, bring a potted plant, offer a service, write a poem, make Christmas decorations or jewellery, make some cards, sew, knit, create patchwork, appliqué or needlework, paint, draw, photograph or make some children’s clothes. Children are welcome to be involved too. If you don’t feel creative, you can donate anything (new) that you think would make a special present. It’s all about having fun and helping children who really need it.
Other M.A.D. News…
Nepali Shop opens in Maleny
Earlier this year we ran a M.A.D. night featuring Suzanne Kupiak and Carmel Dobson, creators of Shed the Light Op Shop and Nepali Shop in Kenilworth. The shops provide the sole funding for the charity Kiran Punj. Started and now run by Suzanne and Carmel Kiran Punj funds an orphanage and aged care home in Nepal.
Pic: Suzanne with her neice Kim who runs The Nepali Shop in Maleny.
In a massive leap of faith Suzanne and Carmel decided to open a shop in Maleny’s main street. It’s been a massive stretch both financially and emotionally, but the women believe it’s the right place to be.The Nepali Shop (between Endo’s and the second hand book shop) in Maple Street is open six days - closed Tuesday. There’s a great range of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, bags, hemp gear, wraps, gift lines, jewellery and incense all made in Nepal.
If you can spare a few hours, you may consider volunteering in the shop. Phone Suzanne or Carmel on 5472 3239. Visit the website http://www.shedthelight.org/ for more information on their beautiful project.
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