Gifts worth giving

Last night I finished Memoirs of a Geisha and resumed reading Stephen Lewis' Race Against Time. I couldn't put it down and I was so saddened by his words and frustration with what is happening in Africa. I feel kind of worthless sitting here and not being able to do much except contemplate how tragic it is. I am however, very much looking forward to my volunteer trip to Kenya in May. Stephen Lewis says he has a "love affair with Africa" and I'm sure I will find out all the reasons why.

I was browsing through Glow magazine (only because it's sent to me for free) and for those of you who don't know, it's published by Shoppers Drug Mart so all the products featured in the magazine can be purchased there (a not so subtle marketing scheme) and like all "fashion" magazines it's pretty much composed of a bunch of ads and other worthless things. However, there was an article that featured some really cool organizations that are worth donating to this holiday season.

One of them has to do with reading, so of course I think it's just brilliant. The organization is called Room to Read and promotes education in developing countries with a focus on Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam and India, where illiteracy rates are as high as 70% (and most of them women). Another is called Kids With Cameras, and this was inspired by the documentary "Born Into Brothels" which I've been meaning to see (it won the 2005 Academy Award for best documentary). The organization supports marginalized children around the world by using photography to empower them. Lastly, a very interesting organization called Heifer International was featured, in which animals are donated to families in developing countries. It sounds funny at first, but a goat, for example, can provide milk and its manure used as fertilizer. Offspring can be sold and make a difference for a family. You can even select an animal (such as a water buffalo, llama or trio of rabbits) from a picture catalogue - how fun!

I guess those girly magazines may have some merit after all.

Back to reading - although I think I should take a break from all this hardcore contemplation! No worries, there is definitely going to be some fun in my holiday agenda.