Going Global in 2008

One of the things I like most about the holidays is hearing from friends all over the world. My favorite letter this year came from friends who lived with us during our early days in Nigeria. These were the days ('91-'93) before the big company compound 20 kilometers out of town created an American Oasis. We spent a couple of years in a 6 flat apartment building, with similar compounds scattered around Victoria and Ikoyi Islands. For those of us with kids in school, the American International School-Lagos was the hub of activity. This particular family had two older kids, in middle school while mine were in preschool and early elementary. Our kids are all grown now, mine in college and theirs out in the world. We always valued the experience of living overseas, and hoped it would positively impact our kids in their adult lives.

Well, it certainly has in the case of our friends' son Matt. After working as an attorney on international legal issues in Washington DC for a few years, Matt followed his heart to Germany, and has founded and developed a non-profit organization called Indego Africa, purchasing handicrafts from widows in Rwanda and selling them in the US. All profits and donations are used to develop skills and provide tools for these women to improve their lives. As you can tell, I was very impressed, and as one of my New Year's Resolutions, I am going to do my best to pass the word about Indego Africa. Please stop in and visit their website, and consider supporting this worthwhile cause. They are building a product line which started with wine coasters and basket ornaments shown here:They'll be expanding to include some beautiful baskets in 2008. Take a look at the flat baskets and the traditional agaseke baskets! I think you'll be impressed, too.