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"Children are great imitators so give them something great to imitate" (Anonymous) AND teach them to be responsible through their actions.

Kids4kids is a non profit organization founded in Hong Kong who inspire and empower kids of all ages to make positive changes in the world through their meaningful actions both in their local community and globally.

They host competitions like 

• Art for a Cause  - partnering with G.O.D to produce 6 unique designs for 'My Hong Kong' placemats
• Writing for a Cause- to engage kids with their writing skills to produce published books.

    

Products produced from these competitions are are sold to raise funds for children's charities.

Kids4kids community outreach program includes a:

Reading Program in which volunteer children read to younger children at kindergartens and childcare centers, to instill the love of reading in the children being read to. 

What great ROLE MODELS for the younger children!

Play Program- Volunteer children go to the Princess Margaret Hospital to play with sick children and children with special needs.

Kids4kids have many great events which you can be a part of. 

In April 2011 following China's devastating earthquakes they organized a group of young people to travel to Yunnan Province in China to help make a difference at Long Bin Primary School. See below.

You can support this great program or get involved by:

1. Liking them on facebook
2. Become a volunteer
3. Buy a gorgeous book or placemat as a gift
4. Watch out for their fundraiser profile on GoodieDo- coming soon! (We will donate 30% of sales to their program!)

P.S. Inspirational, action oriented kids make earth moving adults. Let's encourage this movement!

This blog post is about things GOOD for Communities and GOOD for Giving

Shop GOOD for Communities

Shop GOOD for Giving

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Time flies by. People and things get forgotten.

Can you believe January is already more than half way through?  

STOP and be PRESENT or your entire life will be a series of events that you can recall....sometimes called a BLURRRR; rather than cellular experiences that reinstate the amazing feeling of the moment. 

Ok so anyone remember the devastating earthquake of 7.1 magnitude in Yushu in Qinghai provence in the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of China on April 14th, 2010?

It is easier to forget when we are not immediately impacted by it. 

Unfortunately it doesn't JUST STOP BEING NEWS for the people affected by it. 

Saint like organization UNICEF has not forgotten they continue to support and fundraise for the children of Yushu. The reports were 2700 people died in the earthquake but locals estimate the number closer to 20,000 of a total population of 275, 000 people.

Local authorities estimate that 80% of primary schools and 50% of secondary schools were severely damaged.

Little Artists Big Dreams drawing competition hosted by UNICEF will raise funds for the Children of Yushu on:

11th of February (Saturday)

Central Lawn, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

From 2-5pm

 with the theme: My Dream Hometown.

 

Application to participate must be made before the 31st of January and the enrollment donation is $100hkd.

OR you can DONATE toward this great cause if you are sadly over 12 years old.

If you have kids and live in Hong Kong you know the best education is by doing and participating while having FUN!!!!

Make sure you enrol and make it to this event!

Another way you can donate is through Change for Good- the foreign coins you no longer need placed into a little envelope when flying somewhere; actually ADD up.

Cathay Pacific dedicated a month of collections to the UNICEF emergency relief work in Yushu in Qinghai. The Swire Group Charitable Trust matched the collection to a total of $5 million hkd. This helped to address some of the needs of 10 000 children in Yushu.  Every COIN helps!

To learn more about Yushu's recovery Efforts with help from UNICEF - One Year On report click HERE.

P.S. Our children are our future

P.P.S. Education leads to empowerment. Never stop learning.

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First of all I just have to share this uplifting video which portrays our similarities so well. 

In this Stop the Pity and Unlock the potential campaign, non profit organization Mama Hope manages to tap into the energy that the African and American communities exude.  

They highlight the absolute opposite of helplessness and hopelessness which traditional Aid organizations promote and focus on capable individuals full of  potential.

This is positive Aid work! 

Mama Hope began in 2006. When founder Nyla Rogers lost her mother, suddenly to cancer. 

Lost and 'struggling to know with what to do with that left over love' Nyla travelled to Kenya to meet with a child her mother had sponsored.

Nyla had an amazing welcoming party sing her Amazing Grace as she stepped out of the car.  She learnt that her mother had also sponsored a women's project which had helped hundreds of people. And they were awaiting Nyla's arrival.

Nyla says 'grief is just love'  and "It became clear to me that I wanted to give that left over love to these people"

And thus the non profit Mama Hope sprouted. See their story below.

Since launching in 2006 they have already:

• Unlocked the potential of 76,000 people in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana. 
• Funded the completion of schools, health clinics, children's centres, clean water systems and food security projects. 
• Created close working partnerships with local African organizations to ensure project sustainability.

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"Hey Fido, what are you doing?"

"I'm reading, Leo, can't you tell?" 

"No, not really.  I can't read. But I like to look at pictures."

"Well, I'll help you learn how to read. I'm reading about Ikea's great Soft Toys Campaign for the holidays. Did you know that every time one of us gets picked to go to a new child's home, 1 Euro is donated to help children get an education in developing countries?"

"You mean when I get a new home, my new kid gets a cuddly toy AND another kid gets to go to school all at the same time?  That's GRRRREAT!"

You heard it straight from Fido and Leo over at Ikea... for every soft toy that is purchased at Ikea (worldwide!) between November 1st and December 24th, 1 Euro / $10 HKD is donated to UNICEF and Save the Children, so they can provide kids in-need with a child-friendly education.

Ikea currently has a great range of soft toys available, not just little stuffed animals, but also dress up hats, puppets, baby dolls with accessories that encourage creative pretend play for your kids. 

And at normal Ikea budget-friendly prices, you can't go wrong with one of these under the tree because not only are you giving a stimulating gift to your own child, but you are helping disadvantaged children around the world get the education they need to lift themselves out of poverty. 

Since the holiday campaign started in 2003, Soft Toys for Education has raised an amazing 35.2 Million Euros, supporting 8 Million kids around the world to get better teachers, classrooms, books and pencils. This year they are aiming to raise 12 Million Euros.

So if you need a fun kids or baby gift this year, find your nearest Ikea and support their Soft Toys for Education campaign!

Check out the Ikea soft toys in Hong Kong by CLICKING HERE

and see the soft toys in Australia by CLICKING HERE.

Happy cuddling,

Candice

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TGIF!!! 

Once again I am faced with the weekly question, what should I do tonight?!  

I could party hard with some random guy with a washboard stomach, The Hansons, Debbie Gibson, Kenny G and Katy Perry like we did Last Friday Night (video), but I'm still recovering...  and honestly if it weren't for the video, I wouldn't remember a thing from that night!!

I NEED a CHANGE! Saturday morning hangovers are for the unenlightened, the young, and those without a two year old jumping in bed with you at 4am. But somehow thousands of "grown ups" in Hong Kong manage to still do it!

So what's a Mommy to do on a Friday night?

Luckily I have some very enlightened friends (who weren't at that party if you were wondering) who suggested I watch the FREE online screening of FOOD MATTERS, a film that is a catalyst for change in the way we eat and the way we care for ourselves.  

Its about taking charge of our decisions on what we put into our bodies.  Because actually ... WE REALLY ARE WHAT WE EAT! 

In this video you will learn the truth and the reasons behind these shocking statements:

- "1/4 of what you eat keeps you alive. 3/4 of what you eat keeps your doctor alive." 

- "Good health makes a lot of sense but it does not make a lot of dollars."

- "Not one cell in the human body is made up of a drug."

The film gets into the real reasons why we aren't very healthy as a Western Society... 

because SURPRISE!  its not good for the medical industry!  

So if you are:

- Feeling lack luster, like something is just not quite right with your health, but you aren't really unhealthy...

- Take pills every day for some thing serious (like cholesterol) or even not so serious (like general allergies)...

- Or just want to know the TRUTH about HEALTH!...

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS FILM before this Saturday, October 8th at midnight.

I'll be watching it.  And so far over 116,000 thousand people have watched it.  

It will change your life. And it is about to change mine.

See you at the health revolution,

 x  A soon to be healthier and happier Mama 

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Ever thought about how life would be if you couldn't read?  Maybe something like this...

Vhae uoy veer ouhtgth obaut woh file ouwld eb fi ouy cldoun't dear?

You wouldn't be able to waste time on Facebook, read the news, delete the spam from your email...hell even read your email, or drive or take a bus because you couldn't read the signs.  HOW WOULD YOU LIVE?! 

What if your children never got an education and never learned how to read?

You'd feel pretty crap, probably. You'd give yourself the worst parent of the decade award, I bet. You'd also be a social outcast for letting it happen. Life would be a dead end for both you and your kids. You might think - LIFE SUCKS.

Well, for an estimated 796 million people in the world, life IS that hard because they cannot read or write. 

That's one in every five adults. 

Most of these people are living in developing countries and 2/3 of them are women.

BUT... if a woman in a developing country does learn to read, her children are 50% more likely to survive past the age of 5.  

AND... a girl living in Africa that received an education is 3 times - READ IT - 3 times!!! less likely to contract HIV.

Those girls that stay in school are more likely to receive higher wages, have healthier children and live longer... and the same for her children and grandchildren.  

Literacy and education improve the quality and length of life for poor communities around the world and is a key to growth and prosperity for developing countries. 

This past month UNSECO and the international community celebrated International Literacy Day. In honor of this day, the powerhouse education non-profit, Room to Read, launched a month long campaign to ensure that all children around the world learn to read. 

There is only ONE DAY LEFT in the campaign for you to help children have a chance at a better future.  

Here are some EASY things that you can do to help:

1. Invest in literacy by making a small donation. Even a little bit helps because your donation will be matched by Better World Books!

2. Educate yourself by watching this video. 

3. Spread the word. Tweet for #Literacy this message: 

Hwat wdulo hte lrodw kolo lkei fi ouy ocldu otn erda? Noigmeths kile stih. #RTforLiteracy (Each RT=$1 to @RoomtoRead) http://bit.ly/ILD2011 

For every tweet Random House will donate $1 to Room to Read's literacy programs.

4.  Start your own campaign to raise money for Room to Read. Run a marathon, host an event or come up with your own creative idea. Here are some ideas on how to get started.

Don't waste time and do it today in honor of International Literacy Day and all of the struggling mothers and children out there that need your help. 

Thanks for doing your GOOD deed today!

P.S. Its so easy to just do one of the things above! Don't be lazy!

P.P.S. If you want to start a fundraising campaign, contact us at GoodieDo and we can help you spread the word and raise additional funds!

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Child rearing in any form is a super feat for parents. Only now being a parent of 2.5 year old Chloe and 10 month old Jude can I understand a little of what being a parent is all about. Good Golly a definite paradigm shift occurred at the birth of our first child. Seeing that a parallel world exists between those with children and those without, without ever knowing such a world existed. 

The Continuum Concept is a must read for parents who no longer want to follow societies rules about child rearing and would like to try the path of least resistance. Believing in the innate nature of the child to be one that will make the right decision for itself in most circumstances. 

Author Jean Liedloff lived for two and half years with natives in the South American jungle. While deep within the forests and within the Indian communities she noted the peacefulness of all tribe inhabitants. In this book shares her observations of the psychology of South American jungle Indian's child rearing practices. She relates these practices to innate human nature which is often lost or forgotten in todays fast paced societies. 

I found the Continuum Concept initially a heavy read, but after working through the first few chapters found it to be an invaluable parenting read and have changed some of my learned parenting behaviors for more win- win and less confrontational outcomes or reactions.

I must say a big thank you on behalf of my children to my husband's beloved mother for the gift of this book. 

If you are already a parent, or thinking about a family and believe in the innate parenting skills human nature has provided us but are a bit cloudy from your own upbringing and all of the incoming messages from today's modern world THEN I highly recommend reading this book. Your children and their children will love you for it.

Buy it here 

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I love meeting inspirational people with a real life story to tell. Last week I met with Daniel Zeicht,  he told me about his involvement in raising $200,000 with a passionate group of people from Cronulla to build a Youth Development Centre for the town of Pecatu, Bali in the wake of the 2002 Bali bombings. Not only did this group raise the funds to invest in the long term future of this surfing town but they also personally helped to pick the plot of land and lend their specialized building skills to plan and project manage the build over many months on site in Bali. In collaboration with Opportunity International, Mission Australia and Christian Surfers Australia this group of 10 motivated people set up a surfing competition on Wanda beach called the 'Good Neighbours Sufing competition' from this alone $80,000 was raised. Another $120,000 was raised through corporate sponsorship.  The Centre cost $200,000 to build and includes an indoor skate park, indoor basket ball courts, vocational training rooms for language and computer classes and is known to host many community events including skating contests. In Daniel's own words 'It looks like a 2 million dollar facility'. The ceremonial presentation of the $200,000 was presented to the town of Pecatu at another 'Good Neighbours' surf contest in Bali. The cheque was presented to the town on a surfboard.  The Centre was completed and handed over to the local people in 2005 and was called Elevate Bali. At least 100 local youth use the centre for study and recreation on a weekly basis. What a fabulous way to support a community by investing in the ongoing education, training and support of their youth.  When Dan told me about his involvement in this project I had goosebumps just hearing about this fabulous venture. Communities creating better communities for each other is an empowering feat. Great Job team! Here is a video of people traveling to Bali to help at Elevate.

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Awesome, inspiring and basically fun! was our feedback from the day.  Thank you to Pavla and Shane for providing a great location for us to have a GoodieDo launch party yesterday. Although Sydney failed to turn on the sunshine, the feel good factor was in the air. Zoe and Ethan from The Redlands school came and played some great tunes for the cafe customers. Charlie Lovett  staff wore our 'Be the Change' tshirts and looked great. Pavla made the most delicious black forest cake for GoodieDo, and we even got a lovely happy birthday song for us. It was great to see and hear how excited people were about the feel good factor of GoodieDo's product. We hope everyone who made purchases love using and gifting  their gorgeous goods. We may very well organize this to be a quarterly event at Charlie Lovett. Thanks to all who helped organize this, it was a massive team effort. The fundraiser for the Redlands school music department is still active. So if you would like to support Charlie Lovett in their fundraising efforts for the Redlands School, then please choose Neutral Bay Charlie Lovett and proceed to shop and 20% of your purchase will be donated to this great cause.

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If you are feeling like a bite to eat or a caffeine fix and wanting to do some gift shopping with a greater purpose then come along to Charlie Lovett in Neutral Bay 4/27 Grosvenor St, Neutral Bay, NSW 2089. We have GoodieDo product ranging from handmade baby toys, to household products, jewelry and fashion scarves and t shirts. 

Charlie Lovett Neutral Bay will be having a local fundraising party on Saturday the 19th of March at 3pm, with live music, cakes and 20% of all GoodieDo sales will go towards Redlands School Music Development Program. A sound proof room has been requested by the rest of the school.

Come along for some great food, great company and know that your purchase is not only unique or handmade by artisans in the developing world but also is giving to the local community of Neutral Bay.

See you there!

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