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January
2004
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| LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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January 2004
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Dear Jagriti Friends,
On December 7th, 2003, amid bittersweet tears, we said
goodbye to our six 2003 Bridging World Emerging Leaders.
At the same time, we ushered in a new Jagriti tradition
as each of the departing Emerging Leaders lit and then
placed a candle upon the farewell cake. |
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The candles symbolized the insight,
knowledge and self-confidence the women developed during their
3-month internship in the U.S. The candles' flames underscored
the glowing friendship and solidarity among the women who arrived
as strangers from Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan - and
departed as "South Asian sisters."
These original six candles will adorn each cake that celebrates
a Bridging Worlds Emerging Leaders closing ceremony. With every
celebration, we hope to add another twelve to sixteen candles
to the cake as we continue to build bridges of peace and understanding
one woman at a time.
The 2003 Emerging Leaders are now back home. The lessons they
learned and the messages they have taken home are featured in
this newsletter - the first for 2004. The six women will now
put their new leadership skills to the test as they assume responsibility
for organizing the next Bridging Worlds Workshops to take place
in Kabul, Afghanistan; Islamabad, Pakistan; Chennai, India and
Kathmandu, Nepal later this Fall.
These workshops will provide our partner women's organizations
networking opportunities and a forum for democratically electing
the next group of Jagriti Fellows. We invite you to join in
these workshops as part of an "Awakening Journey" -- to Afghanistan,
Pakistan, India or Nepal -- in the autumn. Final details about
the workshops, including dates, will soon be available on our
website.
Also in this newsletter we hope you will enjoy reading about
the Santa Barbara community outreach efforts of Indira Ghale
of Nepal and Maryma Scotlin from India, including cooking classes
and presentations at schools.
We are also proud to introduce the Blu
Moon Group, who are working with us on fund raising and
promotion and Rising International,
a Fair Trade Group selling handmade crafts from women around
the world.
Dining for Women is another
amazing group of women in South Carolina who have a monthly
potluck dinner - then pool the cost of eating out and donate
it to a worthy charity. Jagriti International has been fortunate
to receive two evenings' donations from this group. What a great
way for groups of women around the world to raise money by coming
together, sharing, learning - and having fun!
We hope that 2004 will be filled with peace and harmony for
all of you. As always, we welcome your contributions of time
and money as we move forward with our exciting plans for the
year ahead. By working together and supporting the grassroots
efforts of women around the world we can and will
make a difference.
Mikki Andina
President, Jagriti International |
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