The current issue of our local newsletter, ALTRUSUN, is available online:
September 2008, Volume 32, Issue 4 (563 Kb PDF)
Literacy and Peace -- absolutely intertwined
International Literacy Day (September 8) and International Day of Peace (September 16) were recognized at our meeting today by Diane Winger on behalf of the International Relations Committee.
Diane emphasized that "Literacy -- and education -- are crucial to building peace, because ignorance is a root cause of prejudice, fear and hatred." She focused on the impact of illiteracy in Pakistan and Afghanistan on our own lives in the U.S., and quoted an African proverb:
Boys in these communities often grow up and leave, going to look for work or to go to war. Girls are the ones who stay in the community and raise the next generation. The greatest fear of the Taliban is not the bullet; it is the pen. And books. And girls and women who can read.
She praised the work Altrusa does with projects to promote literacy in our own community, as well as recognizing the importance of international projects. Literacy and education open up many doors for people, and give them opportunity and hope for the future. Internationally, literacy projects are key elements in building peace.
Diane reminded us of the 4-part series our International Relations committee is co-sponsoring with the Library, called "Three Cups of Tea -- building hope in Central Asia". The programs are designed to help increase awareness of how members of our own community can engage in Peace Building.
The complete text of the presentation can be read here.
Diane emphasized that "Literacy -- and education -- are crucial to building peace, because ignorance is a root cause of prejudice, fear and hatred." She focused on the impact of illiteracy in Pakistan and Afghanistan on our own lives in the U.S., and quoted an African proverb:
If you educate a boy, you educate an individual.
If you educate a girl, you educate a community.
Boys in these communities often grow up and leave, going to look for work or to go to war. Girls are the ones who stay in the community and raise the next generation. The greatest fear of the Taliban is not the bullet; it is the pen. And books. And girls and women who can read.She praised the work Altrusa does with projects to promote literacy in our own community, as well as recognizing the importance of international projects. Literacy and education open up many doors for people, and give them opportunity and hope for the future. Internationally, literacy projects are key elements in building peace.
Diane reminded us of the 4-part series our International Relations committee is co-sponsoring with the Library, called "Three Cups of Tea -- building hope in Central Asia". The programs are designed to help increase awareness of how members of our own community can engage in Peace Building.
The complete text of the presentation can be read here.
Bosom Buddies Walk/Run 2008
One Step Closer to Help and Hope
is the theme for the 2008 Bosom Buddies event to raise funds for Breast Cancer Support Group of Southwestern CO, Inc. (aka Bosom Buddies).
Mark your calendars for this event to be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008. As usual, Altrusa volunteers will be out in full force doing registration, offering refreshments, and doing cleanup after the event.
Register now for the 5K Walk/Run or 10K Run. Click here to download the 2008 registration form.
Don't forget the Silent Auction on Friday, October 10 from 6-9 PM at Holiday Inn Express!
is the theme for the 2008 Bosom Buddies event to raise funds for Breast Cancer Support Group of Southwestern CO, Inc. (aka Bosom Buddies).
Mark your calendars for this event to be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008. As usual, Altrusa volunteers will be out in full force doing registration, offering refreshments, and doing cleanup after the event.
Register now for the 5K Walk/Run or 10K Run. Click here to download the 2008 registration form.
Don't forget the Silent Auction on Friday, October 10 from 6-9 PM at Holiday Inn Express!
Luv Hug Bears help children cope with hospital visits
The Altrusa Luv Hugs Project was started in 1997. It began as a project working with Montrose Memorial Hospital emergency room personnel who felt there was a need for such a service for children who come to the emergency room.
Our Altrusa Club decided we would like to offer each child entering the emergency room a cuddly soft bear to comfort him or her during the traumatic ordeal of being poked and prodded and experiencing a great deal of anxiety and fear. In many instances the bear is used as a teaching tool to explain upcoming tests or procedures.
The project began with a $2,000 donation from the club in 1998; today the donation from the club is $2,500 a year. All funding for this project comes from the fundraising efforts of all members of the club.
In 2005 Sharon Vis, Luv Hugs committee chair, expanded the project to also provide bears to children having surgery. The surgery staff at the hospital have reported that the bears are a great comfort to the children and help to put them at ease. They also use the bear to demonstrate procedures.
Approximately 800 bears were distributed in the emergency room and surgery unit in 2007.
Our Altrusa Club decided we would like to offer each child entering the emergency room a cuddly soft bear to comfort him or her during the traumatic ordeal of being poked and prodded and experiencing a great deal of anxiety and fear. In many instances the bear is used as a teaching tool to explain upcoming tests or procedures.
The project began with a $2,000 donation from the club in 1998; today the donation from the club is $2,500 a year. All funding for this project comes from the fundraising efforts of all members of the club.
In 2005 Sharon Vis, Luv Hugs committee chair, expanded the project to also provide bears to children having surgery. The surgery staff at the hospital have reported that the bears are a great comfort to the children and help to put them at ease. They also use the bear to demonstrate procedures.
Approximately 800 bears were distributed in the emergency room and surgery unit in 2007.
"Three Cups of Tea" program with Library announced
Diane Winger announced today that the International Relations Committee is co-sponsoring a series of 4 programs with the Montrose Regional Library District:
Three Cups of Tea -- Building Hope in Central Asia (click title for a copy of the flyer for this event)
Three Cups of Tea -- Building Hope in Central Asia (click title for a copy of the flyer for this event)
The series kicks off September 30th with a slide show presentation, “Climbing and Trekking in the Karakoram Mountains” presented by Masood Ahmad, director of student engagement and success at Adams State College in Alamosa. Ahmad also owns an adventure travel company which has been offering treks and climbs in the Karakoram region of the Himalayas, and has been mentioned in articles in Outside magazine, The Denver Post, The New York Times, and others.
On October 7, the cultures of Pakistan and Afghanistan will be the featured topic. Masood Ahmad returns to present music, clothing, and to discuss how the religion of the area, Islam, influences the daily lives and attitudes of the people there. Members of Altrusa are being asked to prepare and offer samples of some of the foods eaten in this part of Central Asia. *
“Making a Difference in the Himalaya region” is the topic on October 14. Coloradoans working with Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute & its Pennies for Peace program will be on hand, along with participants from dZi Foundation, Heifer International, ASTRA and Altrusa. The focus will be on how individuals can provide hope to people in the mountain regions of Asia.
The final evening on October 21 will be a book discussion of Greg Mortenson's book, Three Cups of Tea, emphasizing what it means for providing hope and building peace in troubled parts of the world.
All programs begin at 7:00 PM at the Library meeting room.
* Volunteers from Altrusa are needed to help with setup each of the 4 evenings. Adventurous cooks are also being asked to choose among a number of recipes available at our weekly meetings and bring an ethnic dish to the Culture night (October 7). Please sign up to help with one or more of these 4 evenings!
August 2008 Newsletter
The current issue of our local newsletter, ALTRUSUN, is available online:
August 2008, Volume 32, Issue 3 (531 Kb PDF)
August 2008, Volume 32, Issue 3 (531 Kb PDF)
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