ILORI Xmas party for 200 kids at social risk!

Dear  friends,

BienDeMujer  is a non-profit, community-based organization addressing programs and projects aimed to contribute to the holistic development of women and children, especially those at social risk.

One of the programs we treasure the most is the Ilori Project in which approximately 200 children participate.  Currently we are building a facility in the community of La Carpio to provide after school educational programs and we are organizing a Christmas party to celebrate their effort throughout the year.

We are kindly requesting all our friends and supporters to help make this possible.

You can collaborate by:

Giving a monetary donation trough our website, www.biendemujer.org  or alternatively by sending a check (if you reside in the USA) to:

                                 WWD-F

                                 22 Ravenscroft Drive

                                 Asheville, North Carolina 28801

                                 USA

Buying a set of books from our sister company Wise Heart Books. For more information visit us at www.wiseheartbooks.com

For more information about our projects please visit our websites:

www.wwd-f.org

www.biendemujer.org

www.wiseheartbooks.org

Thank you for all your time and consideration and Merry Christmas!

The importance of teaching generosity and kindness to children

No matter how elaborate your holiday giving plans, it is important to talk to children about the true meaning of the holidays and the spirit of kindness and generosity that surrounds this special time of year.

Parents are powerful models to their children during their developing years. As such, their impact should transmit lessons which their children can assimilate into their value system.

Generosity is a positive trait that parents should consider teaching their children, for it would enhance the discovery of other traits that would help them to succeed in their future careers.  Children are easily impressed by what they see in their parents. If they see them offering help and showing kindness to others, children emulate these kindly acts. If parents are mindful of the welfare of their fellow men, their offspring will catch the same spirit towards others, too.

Ellen G. White, the author of the book, Education, wrote, “Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momentous; never before were young men and young women confronted

Children at the Ilori Centre, La Carpio,Costa Rica sharing their food!

by perils so great as those confronting them today.”

Reading & Giving is a program of Wise Heart Books designed to support educational programs for disadvantaged children in the USA and Central America.  By buying our set of books, not only will your child learn many important qualities that build strong character, mind, and heart, they will also know that they are helping another child.  For more info please visit our website, www.wiseheartbooks.com

Wise Heart Books is an initiative of the BienDeMujer Foundation.  For more information about our projects please visit  www.biendemuer.org and http://www.wwd-f.org/
To watch a video of the Ilori children, please go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHjAQoN1Sbo&feature=share&noredirect=1

Learning to work together and share their materials!

Let’s all celebrate Xmas! ¡Todos y todas queremos celebrar la navidad!

Christmas is here! We can already feel it in the air and as the days go by, hope and excitement grow in the hearts of children as they dream of parties and gifts. The children of the Ilori project from the communities of La Carpio and San Juan de Dios in San Jose, Costa Rica, are no exception. They also wish for a great celebration.

For this reason we are organizing a big party on the 13^th of December. 200 children will spend a great day at the recreation center of the UNA (National University), to celebrate the conclusion of the year.  During this year they made a great effort to succeed academically as well as to incorporate into their daily lives, habits, ways to interact and tools that we have imparted through the more than 50 workshops.

We invite you to be part of this history of excellence, hard work and tenacity; together we can make it happen! There are several ways to help:

1.Eating Pannetoni! You can sponsor a gift for a child by donating 5,000 colones (about $10). As a token of gratitude you will receive a delicious handmade Pannetoni.
2. Try your luck! Purchase raffle numbers for a Christmas hamper. Each ticket costs 1,000 colones (about $2).
3. Or, in the traditional way, especially if you are abroad, by making a monetary donation. You can do so through our website by clicking here or you can write to us at info@biendemujer.org or call at (506)2241-2811

¡Todos y todas queremos celebrar la navidad!

Ya se siente el aire navideño y  con él crece la ilusión y esperanza de los niños y niñas de celebrar con fiestas y regalos. Los niños del proyecto ILORI, provenientes de las comunidades de La Carpio y San Juan de Dios, no son la excepción. Ellos también sueñan con una gran celebración.

Por esta razón estamos organizándoles una gran fiesta el 13 de diciembre. Son 200 niños y niñas los que pasarán un día maravilloso en el centro de recreación de la UNA, como culminación del esfuerzo que  han hecho durante el año, no solo de salir adelante académicamente, sino también de incorporar en su diario vivir los hábitos, formas de relacionarse y herramientas que les hemos transmitido a través de más de 50 talleres en este año.

Le invitamos a ser parte de esta historia de superación, esfuerzo y tenacidad, haciendo posible esta celebración. Hay varias formas de colaborar:

1. ¡Comiendo Panetone! Puedes patrocinar el regalo de una niña o niño donando 5.000 colones. Como agradecimiento recibirás un delicioso panetone artesanal.
2. ¡Probando suerte! Compra números para la rifa de una canasta navideña. Cada número tienen un valor de 1.000 colones.
3. O bien, de la forma tradicional haciendo una donación monetaria. Puedes hacerlo a través de nuestra página en Internet haciendo click aquí o bien puedes escribirnos a info@biendemujer.org o llamarnos al 2241-2811.

Fotos de la fiesta de Navidad 2009/2010.

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La música reggae y el amor hacen posible un sueño//Reggae music and love make a dream possible

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Hace unas semanas tuvimos un grato encuentro cibernético con un grupo de mujeres madrileñas amantes de la música y legado del Reggae.  Amorosamente buscaban una buena causa para apoyar a través de un maravilloso concierto en Madrid y encontraron en nuestro trabajo lo que buscaban.  Inmediatamente se identificaron con los procesos de formación y educación que se están llevando a cabo a través del Proyecto Ilori para contribuir con el desarrollo físico, emocional, espiritual y socioeconómico de las mujeres, niños y niñas en riesgo social de la comunidad de La Carpio, San Jose, Costa Rica. María Martins, una de las organizadoras, nos escribió e inmediatamente hubo una conexión más allá de las palabras.

El concierto se llevó a cabo el 23 de setiembre 2011 y la motivación fue rendir un tributo a todas la Queens que han dedicado su vida a expandir el mensaje del Reggae (One Love).  En palabras de María “¡el concierto fue fenomenal, mágico!, se llenó de gente y de buenas vibraciones, ¡puro amor! Todos se entregaron por completo y el ambiente que se respiraba era de felicidad, esperanza, fuerza y elegancia… ¡el poder de la unión! Consecuentes con este profundo mensaje decidieron beneficiar a los niños, niñas y mujeres del Proyecto Ilori, con los ingresos generados en este evento.

María nos cuenta que casi medio centenar de excelentes músicos interpretaron un repertorio de más de dos horas para un gran público. Algunas de las participantes fueron Kati Dadá (Desakato Dadá); Mary Jane (Emeterians); Alana Sinkey (Cosmosoul); Rory Garzet (Freedonia), Astrid Jones y Yolanda (The Sweet Voices), así como el grupo madrileño Emeterians.

Gracias a María, a las demás organizadoras y todas las y los participantes en el concierto, así también al maravilloso público que asistió. Actos como estos refuerzan en nosotras la convicción de que  en la unidad del amor está la fuerza para construir un mundo más justo y equitativo.

http://fotoreportajeando.blogspot.com/2011/09/sisters-sing-reggae-queens-ii-las.html

Reggae music and love make a dream possible

A few weeks ago we were contacted by a group of women in Madrid who love Reggae music, its message and legacy. They were planning a wonderful concert in Madrid and were looking for a good cause to support.  They identified with our work at BienDeMujer, especially with the Ilori Project training and educational programs, which contributes to the physical, emotional, spiritual and socioeconomic development of women and children at risk in the community of La Carpio, San Jose, Costa Rica.

The concert took place on September 23^rd, 2011 and the idea behind it was to pay tribute to all the Queens who have dedicated their lives to spread the message of Reggae (One Love). In the words of Maria Martins, one of the organizers, “The concert was phenomenal, magical!  It was filled with people and good vibes, pure love!  The atmosphere was one of happiness, hope, strength and elegance … The power of union!”  In accordance with this profound message they decided to donate the proceeds generated from this event to the children and women of the Ilori Project.

Almost fifty excellent musicians performed for a large audience for more than two hours. Some of the participants were Kati Dada (Desakato Dadá), Mary Jane (Emeterians) Alana Sinkey (Cosmosoul) Garzet Rory (Freedonia), Astrid and Yolanda Jones (The Sweet Voices), and the Madrid group Emeterians.

We are deeply grateful to María, the other organizers and all the participants of the concert, as well as the wonderful audience that attended. Acts such as these reinforce in us the conviction that the unity of love gives us the strength to build a more just and equitable.

http://fotoreportajeando.blogspot.com/2011/09/sisters-sing-reggae-queens-ii-las.html

2010 Bien de Mujer’s Annual Children’s Christmas Party

We could not have asked for better weather conditions on Tuesday, DEC 19—sunny and warm, our first blessing of the day—perfect for our Annual Children’s Christmas Party at the Centro de Recreo UNA, located in Barrio Santa Luiza, near Heredia.  As early as 7 AM, volunteers (our second blessing!) began to trickle into our house and load up 4 vehicles, including two trucks donated by Himalaya Aryuveda Distributors, worth of donated gifts, food, decorations (thank you, Haley Cooney!), and about 8 volunteers.  Again, so many blessings!

Over 160 children, and their mothers, arrived on 3 festive buses from La Carpio (the slums of San Jose, Costa Rica) just shy of 9 AM.  Several group games, a mini-moon bounce, and a huge inflatable slide, with a side of cookie and juice snacks, were ready for the onslaught of excited (this is a gross understatement!) kids.   The children were divided into two groups—half went to participate in outdoor group games and the playground first, while the other half went to the pool!

Gratefully, several other volunteers joined us later in the morning, including Craig and Agnes Lamb, and our “official” party-photographer, Ellen Lazare.  While the kids were playing and mothers cooking lunch, we set up the “sala” for the afternoon Christmas Music Show (a beautiful performance by students of the University of Costa Rica orchestra); for Santa’s visit; and of course– the distribution of gifts!  While the children were swimming in the pools, flopping around on large inflatable things, or playing fooz-ball and ping pong in the recreation room, the mothers prepared and served a lunch picnic of arroz con pollo and juice.

After lunch, everyone gathered in the sala for a sing-a-long Christmas music concert and the much-anticipated visit from Santa, with two of his helpers.  During the concert, ice cream and cake were served.  A special little birthday cake was made for Fabiola who just happened to turn 15 yesterday!  Then the madness began… as Santa handed out over 170 gifts to each child!  Each present was individually wrapped and addressed to each child.  CHAOS!

The party ended about 3 pm—each child armed with a gift, a little snack bag of candy and fruit, and a HUGE smile on his or her face.  Just so you know, the children were truly grateful—endless “Gracias” and lots of hugs, even tears both from kids and mothers in gratitude.  It was truly a special day, not just for the kids and their mothers, but for us as well.  This is what love looks like.

Happy Holidays to everyone and a heart-felt thank you to everyone (and there are many!) who contributed in some way to this very memorable event.

The “Wrapping” Party

Yesterday afternoon, following a morning meditation session, 30 friends and supporters of the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation, arrived at the house– armed with food, sweets, wrapping paper, scissors and tape, with the awesome task of wrapping over 150 presents for our annual Children’s Christmas Party (the Children’s party is tomorrow, TUES, DEC 21.)  These presents, of course, were donations from generous individuals all over the world– as far as Holland and as close as our neighboring mini-mart!

Each gift has been allocated to a specific child in our Ilori Educational Program based in La Carpio, the slums of San Jose, Costa Rica.  Unlike most children’s education, welfare and development programs, Ilori Educational Program is unique in its holistic, experiential, uplifting approach to a child’s wellbeing.   We seek to address and nurture the child’s mind, body and spirit—with practical lessons in basic primary health care to yoga to experiential lessons in the importance of compassion, tolerance, sharing, and self-awareness.  We also introduce and encourage child participation in the arts, music, dance, meditation, yoga, and sports.

Our Annual Children’s Christmas Party is a BIG DEAL for these kids, as well as their parents.  For some of these children, this is the only gift they receive throughout the year.  Therefore, we are so grateful for all the people who came to our “wrapping party” yesterday evening.  The food and the company were priceless!

That’s a wrap! Xmas present-wrapping party for the kids in La Carpio, DEC 19

Because people, especially people like Sandra BonSell, Eline Hennink, Paula Torres, Ted J. and Sara Petrakos, Sydma Hatzopoulos , and Paulo Martins (way too many people to list here!), have been so generous to us this year, we now have over 100+ presents to wrap for the children we work with in La Carpio!  Take a peek!

Therefore, we want to make this awesome task as fun as possible—therefore, we are holding a Xmas present wrapping party at our home in Montelimar, Guadalupe on SUN, DEC 19—wrapping starts at 4 pm.

Details:

What: Wrapping Christmas presents for the kids we work with in La Carpio

When: SUN, DEC 19—starts at 4 pm and goes until we are finished!

Where: Our house—directions:

Del Costado oeste de los Tribunales de Justicia
500 m N, 100 m Este
Montelimar, de Guadalupe
(Cerca Sonido Latino, Casa Himalaya)

We are the far left house in a row of 3 white houses known as “Las Hadas”
House phone:  2240 2910

What to bring:

Wrapping paper!! And this is a potluck—meaning everyone bring a boca or dish to share; and please bring your own choice of beverage.

And yes, of course, you can bring friends!

And know that we could still use some volunteers at the actual Children’s Party; here are the details for the BIG party:

 

WWD-F/Bien de Mujer’s Annual Children’s Christmas Party

21 DEC 10 AM to 3 PM

(However, we are asking for volunteers to come early—9 AM, to help set up!)

Location: Centro de Recreo UNA

Barrio Santa Luiza

(25 mts norte Hotel Balladolit, HEREDIA)