Lumiere Charity remembers Bangladesh

A candle has been by Lumiere Charity in remembrance for all who have been recently affected in the devastating floods in Bangladesh. It is reported that seventy people have gone to final rest, and 200,000 people are stranded in the floods. People are feared trapped in the mud, and rescue operations continue. May strength and safety be with all who are helping those affected by the floods which set off landslides. In the spirit of Lumiere, is there any way you could help?


With thanks to the reporter who reported the plight of our Bangladesh brothers and sisters in our human family, in the link
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/thirty-dead-150-000-stranded-bangladesh-floods-050039361.html?nc 

Sewing Circle Tips - Making curtains easy!

Gathering tape sewn onto curtain, with hooks

For years when funds were tight in mission areas I used to make extremely cheap curtains swiftly and easily in the following way;
I purchased two single sheets in a pretty cotton fabric at the local store selling cheap linen. 
Then I would buy some cheap heading gathering tape and white plastic cotton hooks from the local sewing store.
 Measure the heading gathering tape to fit the top of each sheet exactly with 1cm to spare on either side, then cut off the gathering tape. 
Note there is a right side, and an underside to the gathering tape.
The side you want facing upwards on the back of the curtain is the side which has extra pieces of tape where the hooks go in.
Turn under the raw ends of the gathering tape to the length of 1cm of the heading gathering tape, and pin and tack the tape to the top of the sheets on the wrong side (the back of the sheet with the underside of the pattern). 
Pull out the cords at the end of the curtain which will be at the middle of the window, 
and knot them together. 


Sew the tapes on. If you don't have a sewing machine, sew them on by hand. I have done this when I didn't have a sewing machine, it takes a long time and you need both patience and a thimble. 
A sewing machine gets the job done quickly. 
Sew along the top of the gathering tape, and the bottom of the gathering tape in order for the tape to be firmly fixed to the curtain; it will last well.


Take care when stitching not to stitch over the loose cords. 
When stitched, gently pull up the gathers by pulling at the loose cords which were unknotted, at the end of the curtain which will be at the end of the window. 
Do this until the curtains measure the correct width. Knot the cords together. 
Space your gathers evenly. 
Insert curtain hooks fairly closely together and mount the curtains on the track.  
You make this kind of curtain for curtain pelmets with tracks suited for hooking the hooks through.


You can line the curtains if you wish, to make them even stronger and to let less light in. Curtain linings help to protect the main fabric from dirt and direct sunlight and to provide additional insulation, handy in winter. We will show you how to make curtain linings in a later post.


Another option to buy curtains is from your local Charity store. Beautiful curtains are often on sale there, cleaned, pressed and ironed for use for a small sum of money. 


*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette
*Please sew carefully. Get someone to show you how to use a sewing machine properly if you have never used one before. Never pull on the sewing machine needle while sewing on the machine, as it may snap. Always sew safely! Good luck with your curtains

Give a child a cup of food

Do you want to give a hungry child a cup of food? Here is an easy way.
1. Click into the website www.thehungersite.com
2. Enrol to receive a regular email
3. When the email comes, click on the button marked 'Click'
4. Sponsors pay for cups of food


You can shop in the fabulous online store if you wish and give more.


The Hunger Site has given over 832,518,338 cups of food since June 1999 on this date. Why not add to this   wonderful number? We can make a difference - why not wipe the tears from a hungry and vulnerable child's eyes by the simple click of a computer mouse.


"We ourselves
feel that what
we are doing is just
a drop in the ocean
But the ocean would be
less because of that
missing drop."
      Mother Teresa


Want to register to help? 
You can register by clicking on 'Register' in the 'Free Ways to Help' box  on the left upper side of the website page on the following link;

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1

Want to know more about the Hunger Site?
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/aboutus.faces?siteId=1&link=ctg_ths_aboutus_from_home

*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette

Children at risk of starvation in the Sahel - can you help?

Baaba Maal is a Senegalese Musician living in the reportedly drought stricken Sahel Region in Africa.
An email received by Lumiere from Baaba Maal and the Avaaz team apprises that 18 million people are on the brink of disaster, including 1 million children at risk of starvation. According to the email, in days world leaders in Brussels will gather to discuss the Sahel. 


As I write this blog, the soft Irish rain is falling outside the window. In the front of the little whitewashed Irish cottage where I am fortunate to live, the seeds and flowers I planted recently are growing due to the refreshing water falling from the skies. I have sufficient food for my needs, and plenty of water at hand. However, I have lived through dry times in South Africa. When I was growing up, I remember one time when we experienced a drought. It was horrendous. The heat was so strong that the earth cracked, and as a teenager when I walked a few steps barefoot on the tar road the tar had melted and bubbles were popping on the surface. I had blistered black tar burned into the soles of my feet for months.


It was so dry that families were at risk. We were blessed with a marvellous municipality which sent a water truck to each road daily, where families could collect water for their needs. I remember we were a family with five children at the time, so received a larger portion of water than smaller family units. The clear water in buckets was guarded as precious in our kitchen, and outside the trees wilted, gardens and flowers died, and cracks appeared in the earth. A few wells owned by the privileged few in Welkom had helped many of us suffering from the drought restrictions get through that terrible time.


At the school where I was educated, we sat in the broiling heat in the classrooms, trying not to faint with the heat. The teachers allowed children to drink glasses of water in the classroom, as we were dehydrating so fast. Outside the air shimmered with the heat. A set of teenager lads my brothers knew who were real jokers fried eggs on the bonnet of their car by simply cracking the eggs onto the metal hood. The eggs then promptly fried. The lads had to move quickly to prevent their impromptu meal from burning.


Animals suffered, and so did we. It was so difficult trying to keep clean in the heat, when each ration of water we were given presented the choice whether to drink it or to use some for washing. I had long hair at the time, I came very near to cutting it all off as precious water could not be wasted on the luxury of long hair. The pinnacle of the drought came when we as teenagers walked home, our lips cracked and bleeding due to the sheer heat. As my friend walked past a tree, a bird in the leafless tree expired from the heat and dropped down dead in front of her. A drought is no fun.


The day the storm of sand came swirling in through the Dutch door of our kitchen and into the houses, under the door frames and down the chimneys, all we saw was a tornado of red sand coming in through the half open doorway. The choking blanket of dust stung our arms, faces and legs. I remember grabbing teatowels to cover our eyes, noses and mouths as the sand was so severe it was difficult to breathe. And then came the glorious rain, an explosion of thunderous curtains of water with lightning which broke the drought which had so nearly broken us.  My mother often told the story how she looked out and saw us, toddlers and teenagers all out in the front garden, dancing in the rain, oblivious to the lightning and thunder. The joy when the drought broke, and the cool wind blew through the South African veldt...


So. I know what a drought is like. However, because of our municipality, my hard working parents and our resources, we came through it well, and had sufficient for our needs. I shudder to think if we had not had the assistance we so badly needed ... I often remember those days. Many people were not as fortunate as we were, and are not so fortunate. Children are at risk in the Sahel - people who live there are struggling with horrendous circumstances.


In the spirit of Lumiere, is there anything you can do to help a drought stricken area? 
Baaba Maal pleads that we join globally with him to ask world leaders in Brussels to help in the Sahel.
Please find information at
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_grain_sacks_are_empty/?bUtIbdb&v=15175

*Photograph courtesy of Baaba Maal and Avaaz team petition

Professionals; Mawadda needs your valuable knowledge

Mawadda International Aid requests assistance from professionals to give a little of their free time online, at home, in order to share their specialised knowledge. Mawadda estimates that there are more than ten million of our human family over the globe in need of food aid, education and health care.  These situations are caused by hurricanes, drought.  Another estimate is that 90% of victims of war are civilians. 


You can help even when you are at home. Mawadda is in need of professionals and experts from different parts of the world to give a few minutes of their free time, through online consultation. Just share your knowledge with Mawadda, and make a difference. Save a life.

Dentists

Psychologists

Optometrists

Architects

Engineers

Physicians

Nutritionist-Dieticians

Social Workers

Teachers

Are you perhaps being called to 

give of your free time in this way?

To join Mawadda, or read their information, see this link;
http://mawaddainternationalaid.org/

Mawadda International Aid provides humanitarian aid internationally. 

Lumiere Charity remembers Italy

A candle has been by Lumiere Charity in remembrance of those departed in the recent quakes in Italy, and for all those left behind and struggling financially due to losses from the quake. German dentists gave generous donation to those in need after the quake. Pope Benedict XVI has given generous donation. Italy activated phone, SMS donations for earthquake victims. In the spirit of Lumiere, is there any way you could help? 

German dentists donate

http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/content/id/8632/scope/news/region/europe

Pope gives generous donation

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14442

Impact on those in quake areas

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-06-01/italy-quake-victims-try-to-rebuild-lives.html

Italy activated phone, SMS donations for earthquake victims

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/italy-activates-phone-sms-donations-for-earthquake-victims

Lumiere Charity remembers Syria

Reports continue to be received by Lumiere Charity re the recent tragic bereavements in Syria due to violence. Many children have died.  A video seen by Lumiere shows a family member overcome with grief. A candle has been lit by Lumiere as we continue to remember those left behind to deal with their unimaginable grief. A further candle has been lit in remembrance for the UN Monitors who have entered the area to monitor the situation. 


Reports received from Avaaz. They are at present running a petition. Please see
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
War Child report via tweet;

War Child UK ‏@WarChildUK

As UN observers enter Mazraat al-Qubeir, the horrific stories emerge.http://ht.ly/bsFwG We feel compelled to get involved & help

A third candle has been lit in remembrance for all those endeavouring to assist in this situation. 

Sewing Circle Tips; how to make cloth diapers/ nappies

Sewing Circle Tips; make items for Baby Care

Nappies or diapers are needed all the time. These are items which are invaluable for use in baby care. If you have started a Sewing Circle, or are considering starting a Sewing Circle, this is an item you can sew which is always in demand. Also, diapers wear out or reach the end of their shelf life when baby becomes independent. So it is an economically good product to make. 


When cutting the pattern, remember that the sewing pattern does not have a seam allowance (area for material where you sew the seam) added. Draw around the pattern with your pen or pencil, then on your pattern add a quarter to half inch seam allowance on it (half an inch is 1.27 centimetres). Cut your pattern around the seam allowance. You can make your pattern on a piece of brown wrapping paper or dressmaker's pattern paper. If you are in a squatter camp, your nearest local cafe/ supermarket store will be able to give you brown or white paper from new paper bags. Or you can get a new diaper/ nappy from a store, unpick the seams (take the stitching out) and use it as a pattern.


Nappies/ diapers can be used in the following ways;
- in gift packs for squatter camps, ante-natal and post-natal clinics in underprivileged areas, as a gift for a new mother or mother-to-be. My mom taught me how to make this gift pack. Get a small plastic baby bath in which you can bath the new baby. Place a pack of diapers/ nappies neatly folded in one half of the bath. In the other half, put items such as hypoallergenic baby wash and baby shampoo. Place a few items for the mom, such as a lovely face wash, light face moisturiser, breast pads, a hypoallergenic bath or shower gel, and a little treat such as a pretty lipstick. Wrap the bath with gift wrapping paper, and place a card from yourself with a little bow on the outside. If funds allow, and the mom is in hospital, add a magazine or interesting book.
- or you can donate piles of cloth diapers/ nappies which have been hygienically wrapped to a squatter camp/ favela/ slum/ shanty town committee for distribution as needed to the mothers in need
- or you can sew and sell diapers/ nappies from your new home industry Sewing Circle
- you can donate boxes of bought nappies/ diapers to a nurse/ social worker in an underprivileged area working in squatter camps/ favelas/ slums/ shanty towns


An excellent tutorial has been made available on Youtube by Ms. Caitlin. Please find the link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh84LK19VNE

Ms. Caitlin has a link on her tutorial to a downloadable free diaper/ nappy pattern by Ms. Rita at this blogspot;
http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.ie/2007/10/httpwww.html

The link on Ms. Rita's blogspot to her pdf dowloadable 'Rita's Rump Cover pattern' is
http://www.mediafire.com/?eqhrvm9mjwo


With many thanks to Ms. Caitlin for her informative video and tutorial, and to Ms. Rita for her free RRP diaper pattern and instructions on her blogspot.


*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette. Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose

Landmines and courageous girls and women

Perhaps the next step could be the last with two feet...

Twenty gracious ladies of Cambodia competed in Miss Landmine Cambodia; the youngest candidate is still a small girl who has lost her leg but not her vivacious spirit or radiant smile. These courageous girls and women celebrate their inner and outer beauty despite landmine encounter.The beauty pageant highlights the dangers of landmines to all, and to these vulnerable and innocent.
According to Unicef, landmines are killing, injuring and orphaning children.
In many mine-affected countries, children account for every one in five landmine victims.
An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people are killed or maimed by landmines every year according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

The conflict is over. The landmines remain, a hidden danger to men, women and children in different areas of the world.
The gracious Princess Diana did wonderful work in highlighting the dangers of mines.
Landmine survivors and disabled need assistance, prosthetic limbs and education.
In the spirit of Lumiere, why not hold a coffee morning/ raffle/ collection/ fundraiser in your family/ at work/ in your community/ at your place of worship, and use the proceeds for one of the following;
- fund the clearing of one dangerous landmine or a landmine field
- fund the prosthesis of a child who has outgrown his/her present post-landmine prosthesis and cannot afford a new one
- fund the prosthesis of an adult whose prosthesis has worn out
- fund safety equipment for minefield clearing operatives
- fund the education of a child or adult who has been disabled and needs to be trained for a career
- fund the food and shelter for one month of a family being led by an child who has been orphaned by a landmine
- fund the education of children orphaned by landmines
- fund electronic detectors or equipment for clearing landmines
- fund post trauma counselling to a landmine survivor/ orphan from landmine
-donate to War Child to support their wonderful work with children affected by war. Charles had been orphaned of both parents, then had his leg blown off by a landmine, see http://www.warchild.org.uk/impact/stories/charles

-give a donation to The Halo Trust which does wonderful work in clearing minefields,
giving mine risk education to children and communities, weapons and ammunition disposal, surveys. Donations page is 

http://www.halotrust.org/home/donate.aspx
-write or speak about the dangers of landmines

Each one of us reading this blog cannot fix the whole problem of all the landmines and the suffering in the world. Each one of us can help prevent one disability or fatality by funding the clearing of one mine. Each one of us can help by funding the easing of suffering and the blessing of education to a survivor of the trauma of landmine detonation. Each one of us can help by funding post trauma counselling for a landmine survivor/ orphan from landmine.
Hillary Rodham Clinton has said she believes it takes a village to raise a child; this wonderful proverb is well known in Africa. In our global village and our vibrant Internet community, let us link hands together across the globe and let our village help to raise a child who has been hurt by landmine; and save a child from being hurt by a landmine. Please pass this blog post on by Twitter, Facebook and other media. A candle has been lit in remembrance of all who have suffered as casualties of war.
A second candle has been lit in remembrance of the gracious Princess Diana.

The wonderful prophecy of the great Jewish prophet Isaiah tell us that the Word of the Lord will go our from Jerusalem, and will settle disputes for many peoples. The people will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah Chapter 2, verses 3 and 4). The great prophet Micah repeats this prophecy, and adds that Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine, and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken (Micah Chapter 4, verses 2 to 4). These are the great prophecies of the end times.

In the spirit of Lumiere, why not let us start to bring about these prophecies of peace now?


*See Miss Landmine Cambodia Beauty Pageant at
http://miss-landmine.org/cambodia/index.php
*Unicef; Children and Landmines: A Deadly Legacy at
http://www.unicef.org/spanish/protection/files/Landmines_Factsheet_04_LTR_HD.pdf
*Landmine removal at
http://www-pub.naz.edu:9000/~skeenan1/landmine_removal.html
*The Halo Trust at
http://www.halotrust.org/