by Fresh and Green Team
Couldn’t be happier!
November 21, 2014
I arrived in Addis Ababa, very early on Thursday morning and after checking in to a very beautiful and cozy guest house, headed to the school. The children are thriving! The care and love they receive at school is overwhelming and is what keeps me coming back to the school time and time again. Because of the work Muday is doing with this one school in Ethiopia the world is already a better place.
We have 10 new students this year which brings the number of children being kept off the streets to 170. Some of the students have returned after having attended kindergarten but not being able to continue their education because they were students at Fresh and Green before we started increasing grade levels. It is wonderful to see children, that had the cards stacked against them after kindergarten, with an increased sense of enthusiasm and a renewed spirit.
Education is a Right not a Privilege
Unfortunately, in many developing nations education is not available to all children. While compulsory and free in Ethiopia, schools are not attended by all children. Books and uniforms must be purchased and meals are not provided. Many children work at an early age by shining shoes, selling trinkets, or begging to help feed their families. In the rural areas of Ethiopia many children work as sheep herders but dream of attending school and going to the city for a better life.
Thanks to many generous donors, the children at Fresh and Green are getting a chance at that better life. And with the gift of education anything is possible. These children can truly make a difference in this world and have already made a difference in my life!
Peace-Trish
by Fresh and Green Team
On May 8th, 2014 we hosted our second annual “Dancing With the Stews” fundraiser! We paired six flight attendants with six world class, champion, professional dancers for a night of entertainment and generosity.
The dancers were judged in three categories: Pre-Event Fundraising, Peoples Choice, and Judges Favorite. Tobi Kretschmer and Cindee Gennaro Sperry took home the Mirror Ball Trophy by winning overall! Fernanda Deren and Solomon Singer won the “Peoples Choice”, Andrew Williams and Esther Frances won the “Judges Favorite” and Tobi and Cindee also won the “Pre-Event Fundraising!
The night started off with a spectacular VIP reception produced by Valerie Jensen and Lou Rudy. Thank you to Juice Press and Freddy Quintos for providing the delicious raw, vegan, kosher, organic food and Dublin 6 for stocking the Bar.
Arthur Murry Manhattan provided practice space, Capezio gave shoes to all of our flight attendants and Jordy let us use their exquisite gowns.
Our Master of Ceremonies was Fox Business News anchor Cheryl Casone and she presented us with a night to remember!
This year was spectacular and everyone there had a great time. If you were unable to make it you can watch the recording of the live stream and still make a donation to help the children at Fresh and Green Academy!
We are already thinking about next year and if you think you want to be a “Dancing Stew” add your name to the list.
View photos from the show!
DWTS 2015 is already in the works!
Click the button below and complete
the web form on the following page
Sign up today and stay tuned for more information!
(photo by Bill Brady Photography)
by Fresh and Green Team
The Fresh and Green Mothers Cooperative has been expanding and the quality of their items is top notch!
Eighty-one women in the neighborhood of Kotebe in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, have changed their lives by joining the Mothers Cooperative. The women not only create beautiful hand made items at Fresh and Green Academy’s onsite crafting area, help cook the meals for the children and help out at the school, but they have established true friendships and help each other through the tough times.
The women of the cooperative used to spend their days begging and prostituting themselves just to eat and feed their families, but now, thanks to your purchases and donations, they have hope for the future and have become empowered beyond belief.
The scarfs made by the women are available now through our Etsy page!
Order before December 19th and have a beautiful scarf in time for Christmas!
by Fresh and Green Team
Now, thanks to your generous donations, the security wall is back up keeping the school safe and giving the children a place to play.
Thanks to your donations, the new security wall is complete.
We still need your help to rebuild the block of classrooms that was partially destroyed. The building needs to be completely torn down, moved and rebuilt in brick. This project will cost close to $10,000.
To make things even more challenging….. The land that the school sits on is going up for sale in a few months. Fortunately, we have been given the opportunity of first refusal and a discounted price in order to keep Fresh and Green Academy operating, but we can’t do it without you.
The immediate financial needs are as follows in USD:
$106,000. for the purchase of the 732 sq meters of land including the main school building, which houses the principal and director’s offices, library, science lab, and classrooms for 5th through 8th grade. The kitchen, Mothers Coop area, showers and bathrooms, and director’s home are also included in the price.
$10,000. for the relocation and the rebuilding of the first through fourth grade classrooms. Government regulation requires the building to be reconstructed in brick which raises the construction price significantly.
$2,500. to purchase new desks.
To see the school and it’s needs check out our video.
To donate specifically to theses projects you can use the button below. As always, your donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for making a difference.
by Fresh and Green Team
Our 5th Annual
Texas Holdem’ Charity Poker/Casino Night at Connolly’s Pub in NYC was a huge success!
This year’s event was extremely important because the funds raised went towards purchasing the school before the October deadline. I am happy to report the event brought in $14,000!
Thank you so much to all who participated before, during and after the event. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
