Eden Advocate Kendra Jones Morris is no stranger to world travel. As a filmmaker, she’s traveled to China, Central America, Kenya, and the Caribbean documenting environmental and social issues and the grassroots individuals tackling those challenges. Her latest project took her to the Dominican Republic with HOPE International – an organization that helps the poor get back on their feet through micro-loans. Check out this video clip of how one loan changed a woman’s life, and her community!
Monthly Archive for October, 2009
Our friend sent us this lovely photo of her recent trip to NorCal and her favorite Eden tank. We love seeing how you incorporate Eden pieces into your everyday style – please send us your pics!
Via Element Eden Advocate Amy Purdy’s Blog:
After a good two-day rest we packed the bus up early and headed four hours back through Durban to Umlazi for our next shoe drop at the Saphinda Primary School. As we walked into the school chills ran up our spines realizing we were walking into the middle of 1,000 singing school children. We stood in the center of the schoolyard with the children circled all around us. I don’t think I have ever felt goosebumps like that before; I was overwhelmed by emotion and love and had to wipe the tears from my cheeks. That day we fit hundreds of kids with their new TOMS shoes, we watched as they danced for us and at the end we were served an amazing lunch that was cooked by all of the teachers. This was a good day, I still am shocked I’m here, doing what we are doing. I’m so grateful to be a part of a company that has the resources to make a difference!
Via Element Eden Advocate Amy Purdy’s blog:
After the shoe drop yesterday in Durban, we drove 4 hours through the beautiful South African countryside to a safari on the Ubizane Wildlife Reserve where we are staying in beautiful treehouse lodges. This morning we have already seen huge white rhinos and had a group of about 40 elephants come right up the jeep. We saw giraffes, wildebeest and zebras, which are just amazing! Zebras are one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen. The backdrop where we are is breath taking! It is so green here, very wet and tropical!
This trip has really helped me focus on what it is I want out of life and where I want to go next with my life. Life is so beautiful, so amazing! I’m inspired to continue to make a difference in any way I can. Adaptive Action Sports and public speaking is where my heart is, as well as helping out other organizations and causes that are close to my heart.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy – but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.” ~Leo Rosten
Element Eden Advocate Amy Purdy just returned home from her trip to South Africa with TOMS and Element! We’re so excited to have her back, and even more excited to see her photos and hear her stories about this life-changing experience! The following is Part 2 of a continuing update on the trip:
Yesterday was one of the most inspiring days for me. We went to downtown Durban and worked with Umthombo. Umthombo is a voice from the streets. It is a unique South African street children organization led predominantly by former street children. The organization has many programs for the children one of them being a surf program. They get donated surfboards and wetsuits and have a surf coach for the kids.
This place was so full of love – the kids were amazing! It’s hard to think that they don’t have a place to go home to. But what they do have is the amazing support of the organization. After we fit them with their shoes they were so grateful they would just come up to us and give us the biggest hugs. As soon as we put the shoes on them, they would get up and dance and sing to us! For living the tough lives they live, they were so full of light and smiles, it really puts our lives into perspective.
After the shoe drop we watched them surf – what an amazing experience for them and for us to watch! The waves were massive and these kids were masters of them! This day absolutely inspired me to continue to give back as much as possible. I feel so good knowing I am making a difference, I will continue to support Umthombo in any way I can!
More to come!
Attention Canada Element fans! Element Eden Advocate Juliana Neufeld is participating in the “Far Out Side” group show at the Board of Directors gallery in Toronto. The show runs from November 12-22, and make sure you join all the artists on opening night on November 13 from 7-10 pm.
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