Contributing to the world has always been really important to me and called to my heart. I'm happy to share with you an about an exciting journey I will be taking, and how you too can help make a difference to many women in need. In April of 2007 I joined the Rubybleu Foundation as Treasurer. The Rubybleu Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to give women a voice, a chance to explore their potential, and connect with the world in a larger context.  We support projects that aid women and children, are sustainable and non-religious.  Our focus is currently India and Nepal, health, education and the creative arts. (More information included below). By working with the Rubybleu Foundation I get the chance to contribute to many women's lives, participate in something that is bigger than me, and use my financial skills to do something other than my every day Mommy tasks. This work has opened up many possibilities for me, and brought me much joy thus far! In May I will be taking a trip to India to fulfill my fiduciary responsibility by becoming directly involved in the process of funds distribution. On this trip I will deliver higher education scholarship funds and make site visits to see some of the projects we are working on. Traveling to India has called to my heart for quite some time; I am so excited to finally make this dream a reality, while also contributing to others in a way that is very important to me. I request your help in making all of this possible. My goal is to raise at least $3000.00 by the end of April. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated. A donation of any amount, large or small, will go towards scholarships for young women, while also contributing to my travel to India to work on our projects. These scholarships will enable young women to receive an education and the tools needed to empower themselves, plus any extra funds will go towards our other projects. (Please see below for more information on the Rubybleu Foundation's projects). By making a donation you are not only contributing to the lives of young women in need, but you are also contributing directly to my life by helping give me the opportunity to do this work which is so close to my heart. Your welcome donations are tax deducible and can be made through PayPal at the Rubybleu site @ http://www.rubybleu.org/index.html . Click the "make a donation" button. Please specify "for jasmine's fundraising" so we can identify the donation to put towards this purpose. Also, if you would like me to mail you a receipt, please include an address to which to send it and I will happily oblige. One way you can make your contribution go twice as far is to ask if the company you work for will match your donation. Many companies will do this, all you have to do is make your donation and then submit a request for them to dollar match. If your company requires specific forms I can provide the needed information. If we are not on your companies "approved list of non-profits" please inquire about having us put on. Here are some of the projects The Rubybleu Foundation is currently working on: Higher Education Scholarships (August 2006) One of the most powerful ways to affect positive sustainable change is through education. Providing a full scholarship to a young woman will enable her to receive the tools needed to empower herself. This, in turn, will provide the way to bring back these skills and ideas to a community in need. Dr Lodon: a Vision of Peace (March 2006) Around the world, few are looking after the elderly and even fewer are doing positive, sustainable work. One person trying to make a difference is Dr. Lodon an acupuncturist and herbal doctor. After seeing the suffering of the elderly in eastern Tibet, compounded by the loss of her mother-in-law, Dr. Lodon aims to make a change. Microloans (January 2005) In many ways, women in India are the central point of family life. They continuously look out for the family and its best interests oftentimes using compassion and foresight to make decisions, which then benefit the entire community. Women comprise forty-eight percent of the population in India but still remain second-class citizens, fighting for barely recognized rights regarding property, education, job opportunities, and even basic necessities like food, shelter, and health care. Although it is important to remember that men also suffer the constraints of traditional gender roles, women's empowerment is vital for making change and uplifting society. Women's Work (July 2004) In India, women are born second class and expected to serve the family duties of cleaning house, cooking, washing clothes, collecting firewood and water, and tending the younger children and any domesticated animals. These duties begin at a young age and continue throughout the girl's life until she is married at a high dowry cost. Many times she is uneducated and only knows her duty to her family as her only defining place in the world. A solution to this problem is underway in four small villages in Kerala, south India. A social worker by the name of Subhash Chandra Bose has formed the Swasraya Mahila Federation, an apex of about one-hundred eighty Self Help Groups comprised of women who reside in the four villages. The term Swasraya Mahila means 'women's self-reliance through collective rule.' Subhash came up with the idea of uniting the women of poor, local communities and organizing them to make collective efforts to solve the problems they encounter. Devi Ma Ayurvedic health clinic, Nepal (Jan 2004) Situated in the Kathmandu Valley, just south of Bhaktupur is the small village Sipadole, the home of the first Ayurvedic women's health clinic in Nepal. The founder, Dr. Sarita Shrestha has been practicing and teaching Ayurvedic medicine for over twenty years, having studied extensively in both India and Nepal. For more information on the Rubybleu foundation, and to read more in depth descriptions on our current projects please visit our website @ http://www.rubybleu.org/index.html . With love and dreams of a bright future for all of us! Namaste~ Jasmine http://www.rubybleu.org/aboutus/jasmine.html

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