The Gift that Keeps On Giving

I donned my two Circle of Friends bracelets initially at our Opportunity Within Reach event. All the attendees were given two bracelets of their choice so that we at A Global Friendship, could thank them for their continued support. The bracelet however, became the gift that wouldn't stop giving. Over the next few weeks, I couldn't help but notice the eyes following my wrist as I gestured. Then came the questions--where did you get that? what do they mean? what's the story behind them? People could not stop complimenting me on the two small Circle of Friends bracelets that I simply forgot to take off. Not surprisingly, my peers at A Global Friendship all recounted the same story. Whether it's the stunning shades of the twists or the fact that these tiny pieces of jewelry represent a larger cause, they undoubtedly attract attention. Or perhaps the Circle of Friends bracelets are so eye-catching simply because they're beautiful.

For a limited time, get your own Circle of Friends bracelet trio and skip the shipping costs. Not only will you start a trend, but you'll help an artisan and her community fight poverty. 

Find your favorite color trio at http://shop.aglobalfriendship.org/Circle-of-Friends-Bracelet-Trio-009.htm

Opportunity Within Reach

We at A Global Friendship want to say thank you to all of our friends who came to our June 9th event at glassybaby and showed their support for our organization and our Opportunity Within Reach campaign.

Credit: glassybaby

Credit: CiaoBella Gelato

Thank you to glassybaby for the event space, and our many donors, including CiaoBella Gelato!

With Opportunity Within Reach, we hope to augment our efforts in the field and continue our pace of vibrant growth and increasing creativity in fair trade practices. Your attendance at this event was a huge step towards making that goal happen, and we can't wait to see how the organization will grow from here.

Keep an eye out for AGF's upcoming site redesign and even more info from the field! We can't wait to forge a stronger global friendship with you.

World Oceans Day: International Day of Ocean Conservation

It’s World Oceans Day! Although ocean environmentalism may not be directly associated with our work at A Global Friendship, the oceans have special meaning to the organization. AGF founder Elizabeth Firgeleski was inspired to create the nonprofit after being caught in the 2004 Asian Tsunami disaster. The Thai people helped her to safety, and now with AGF she offers economic opportunity in gratitude and hope.

The oceans affect everyone around the world, no matter their economic status, geography, or culture. This year, the World Oceans Day theme is “Youth: The Next Wave for Change.” Check out the following sites for a wealth of information about how to get involved with celebrating and protecting our oceans and to learn more about why the oceans need our attention.

http://worldoceansday.org/

http://www.theoceanproject.org/

Let's hit up Magnolia!

Magnolia Bakery of Bleecker street and cupcake world fame has donated its baked treats to our June 9th
event.

We hope you'll join us for some delicious cupcakes and A Global Friendship's handmade bracelets!

Credit: Vulpes Libris

White Rose Estates at Opportunity Within Reach!

One of the most prominent vineyards in Oregon, White Rose Estates, is sponsoring AGF's June 9th event, Opportunity Within Reach.

Our event will be held at glassybaby in the village, and we'll be serving Pinot Noir from White Rose Estates for all of our friends who are joining us. White Rose Estates' complex, sophisticated wines perfectly mesh with glassybaby's beautiful retail location and lush outdoor garden.

A Global Friendship extends an invitiation to you to join us for a silent auction and food from NYC vendors. Come join us for a night of fun and fair trade!

RSVP to our Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=219178211428258

International Children's Day

June 1st is International Children's Day.

Today, A Global Friendship renews its promise to help others enrich their lives abroad, especially in Thailand, Indonesia, and Peru. As of 2007, more than half of the people in Indonesia lived below the poverty line. A Global Friendship feels that by bringing opportunity to others, we can fight poverty abroad and ensure the safety and health of children for years to come.

Sex trafficking is an insidious problem in Thailand, one of the countries in which A Global Friendship works. Children are especially at risk of being harmed by this business. Throughout Thailand, children are trafficked internally in addition to being brought from nearby countries, forced to labor in the burgeoning industry.

Help A Global Friendship celebrate International Children's Day by spending time with your children and keeping children around the world in your thoughts. Join us in remembrance for those children who have suffered, whether it be from a natural disaster, a lack of clean drinking water, or a lack of food. All children should have these basic needs fulfilled.

Credit: MSNBC

Fair trade and eco-friendly videos

Some cool videos to brighten up your Wednesday morning...

A Global Friendship

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