March 11, 2009

I WON SOMETHING REALLY GREAT!

Talk about playing it back, Gwen (After the Dress) had a drawing for something really great. I entered because I am on this contest role lately. Really, I can just see myself winning lots of things, especially a great big - state of the art sewing/embroidery machine. "Where there is no vision, the people perish". But guess what - I did win! I had to check three times to make sure it was my name. What would be the next best thing to winning a that sewing machine? You guessed it, helping someone else get a sewing machine!
Gwen drawing was for a $50.00 gift certificate to KIVA. In case you haven't heard Kiva is an organization that manages business loans for people in underprivileged countries. All of the loans are geared to help the person you choose with startup capital for inventory, equipment, supplies, etc. for new businesses. These businesses help people become self sufficient and allow them support their families. The way this worked is so cool. Gwen set up an account in the amount of the $50.00 gift certificate with Kiva in my name. All I had to do was, choose the person I wanted to make the loan to and redeem Gwen's certificate with Kiva for that person. The loan will be repaid in 12 months and I will get updates on the progress of the business. ISN'T THAT GREAT!

TALK ABOUT PLAYING IT BACK, Gwen set this drawing up with a two fold benefit. First I make the loan to a startup company; and secondly after the loan is repaid to me - I GET TO USE THE MONEY TO BUY SOMETHING NIFTY FOR MY VERY OWN SEWING ROOM! Just how cool is that? Right now I'm thinking that when the loan is repaid, I'll just take that same amount and cycle it into another business startup. Did I mention that I am excited about this?

Of course I wanted to find a business that was sewing related so I found a dressmaker. The name of her business is
Couture MISERICORDIEUX (hope it's ok that I put that here). It's French so you know I don't know what it means - can any body help me with it? She is a single mother of one and lives in Agoe, Togo (an African country right next to Ghana). She needed a total of $600; I checked back on the site just before publishing this post and she had reached that goal. There was someone else out there looking for a seamstress to help too. So thank you Gwen, this ladies dress making business is off the ground!


22 comments:

  1. How cool! I'm a KIVA fan, and this just sounds like a perfect win/win! Good deal all around. Congrats! K

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  2. This really, really makes my heart happy. :)

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  3. Anonymous3/11/2009

    That is such a great prize! Congratulations :)

    CarlaF-in Atlanta

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  4. This is why blogging is so cool. Never heard of Kiva but you can bet I'm going to check it out.

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  5. Wow!! Faye that is really awesome!! What a great way to help someone.

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  6. I'm so happy that you found a seamstress! Congratulations!
    --Gwen

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  7. How often do you have to be reminded of the powers of GOD! Congratulations! KIVA seems like a great organization.

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  8. Waoh Faye, you just reminded me again one of the purposes of our creation..... "To help or be of service to other people". I was just thinking yesterday how I can help others with my skill. Thank you for this inspiration, never heard of KIVA before, but I will definately check it. Way to go sistah.....

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  9. What a wonderful idea and I'm sure that the recipient must be very happy. Well done to you too for winning it in the first place.
    Pam xx

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  10. Anonymous3/12/2009

    Faye, you know I am happy with you
    It is a blessing to help some one.
    I don't know about this,I know you will fill me in later.you are a daughter after my own heart.
    Love mom.

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  11. Thank-you Faye...you've made my heart smile today!

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  12. A big congtatulations!

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  13. I've never heard of Kiva. What a wonderful programme to be involved in! Congratulations.

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  14. WOW! That is awesome, congratulatoins! What a way to spread God's blessings.

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  15. You must have timed that just right! Some days it's tough to find seamstresses to fund on Kiva.

    Good for you!!
    And congratulations on winning!
    Elaine

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  16. That is one beautiful way to support somebody, they don't always have to be our nearest and dearest or relatives, it makes one feel so good when one knows that somebody else can get happy by something you have done, it is a gift to be able to help other people, gongrats on your winning:-)

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  17. I think that in helping someone make a living on their own you are giving them a gift for life, not just a gift for the day. How lucky the recipient of your loan is!! I love all my blogger friends. I think seamstresses have the biggest hearts out there!! I know you do!!

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  18. Once again, congratulations on both ends. Loved your pics from the expo --looks like you ladies had an enjoyable time. Good opportunity...thanks for sharing.

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  19. Anonymous3/13/2009

    How this is Dine

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  20. You truly inpire me!!!! Your sewing friend from Alabama, Brenda

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  21. That's sooo wonderful! :)

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  22. Congratulations, you are wonderful person.

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