Are you AWAKE?!!!

You might have noticed bumper stickers, around the country, on the electric car in front of you, reading: “Are you Awake?!” and then, in small print, a website address-- Awakening360.com.  When you visit Awakening360.com, you find a whole bustling, voracious hybrid community of everything from eco-activists, yoga teachers, artists and musicians, farmers, social entrepreneurs, and doctors, to tarot readers and gurus.  And you wonder what in the world do all these people have in common?!  They are all part of a new “glocal” holistic hub which is powerfully connecting conscious—you know, awake--people around the globe.

It all started, just over a year ago, (previously known as “Awakening the Bay”) created as an online social network, holistic lifestyle guide, local marketplace, and community hub for “conscious people” throughout the Bay Area.  But quickly, people from other parts of the country, even other parts of the world, joined in—regardless of geography or ideology-- because this unifying, spry network has been effectively connecting and nurturing inspiring events, activities and gatherings from all disciplines which seek make the world a better, safer, happier place.

Intentionally empowering local, professional holistic practitioners and eco and socially responsible businesses, as well as inspiring all who visit the site to live, work and love in a more holistic way, Awakening360.com stands out in the self-help and holistic world for two main reasons: (1) Their mission is not just to “change the world”, but to have a damn good time while doing it, and (2) they have an equally active offline community. 

Awakening360.com is like a holistic Eventbrite, Meetup and Living Social, all rolled up in one organic nori roll—with a side of wasabi. And Awakening360.com is not just a bunch of Northern California hippies, there are scientists, medical professionals, engineers, and CEOs in this thriving community—it is like all the TEDTalks lecturers and Bioneers hanging out with local massage therapists, Northern California almond farmers, and some of your favorite DJs.  Since its inception in early 2011, membership (which is free!) has gone up 500%! 

Soon, Awakening360.com will be offering iPhone apps which can help locals and visitors alike find holistic practitioners, services and green products wherever they are, just by the touch of a phone screen. Awakening360.com’s big vision is to mainstream holistic living, working, and being by promoting and empowering local holistic practitioners, as well as educating all who visit the site on all the holistic options for individuals and families, in all aspects of their lives, and most importantly, in a fun way. Are you an Awake?  

Attention travel writers, travel writer-wanna-be’s, and travel whores—Meet HearPlanet!

Question:  Who are you going to trust more, Lonely Planet’s opinion of a particular hostel in Budapest, or your good friend, Al’s opinion? 

Welcome to 2011, when travelers no longer need to lug around a 5-pound, outdated travel guide made of tree organs, just to decide where they are going to eat, sleep or visit next.  Meet HearPlanet: your geo-audio directory of the WORLD. 

Think Yelp meets National Geographic meets Pandora—all on your phone, on your GPS system, in your ears…think of how much room in your luggage you will save (not to mention the exorbitant cost of overweight luggage on your flights!)  You are free to travel and tour, at your own pace, in your own language, solo or with friends, whatever frosts your pumpkins….no longer part of the tourist caravan, and with insights about local hotspots, restaurants, hotels, parks, etc. from locals, friends and professional tour guides and agencies alike (whatever you prefer!) And of course, you are welcome and encouraged to add your own perspective on places as well!

Imagine the planet as one mammoth museum, and HearPlanet is your audio guide to everything!  And the best part?!  Well, a la wikipedia-style, this geo-directory, from your favorite watering hole to famous landmarks to entire cities, is written by people just like you (or if you prefer an “expert” opinion, there are expert travel and tour channels such as America YouthHostels Channel and other big names in the travel industry.)

Of course the best way to really grasp this whole concept is to check it out for yourself.  HearPlanet is ALWAYS seeking more content and for travel writers, history buffs, writer-wanna-be’s, and travel whores, this is the perfect opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with the world (as well as add to your writing resume!)

Essentially, in tech-speak, HearPlanet’s platform aggregates and organizes location-based information on points of interest, including landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and recreation spots, and delivers it to people, on-the-go via their mobile devices, and this is your opportunity to be part of the audio travel guide revolution.  It is not just your “story” but literally, your “voice!”

To sample current HearPlanet material, to contribute, and all just click here.  Know that submittingcontent is user-friendly (if I can figure it out, and I am blonde-- you sure as hell can!) and recording your own voice is all part of the submission process and can be done from your laptop, and then broadcast to the world!

Questions?  Feel free to contact me at kelly@hearplanet.com, because I am the new HearPlanet “Ambassador-at-Large”    

Kelly's got a new hat; the new Community Manager for Awakening the Bay, holistic network

Recently, I have been invited to serve Awakening the Bay as “Community Manager.”  I am super excited about this new role because I am a huge fan of Awakening the Bay because it is a community-based, holistic network which seeks to not only promote the talents, skills and knowledge of Bay Area holistic practitioners, multi-discipline therapists, artists, musicians, yogi’s, and the like, but also promote all the amazing local (and even international) events, workshops, classes, lectures, and so on, while at the same time, educating the public in general!  Happy Birthday!

And since Awakening the Bay is community-generated content, you are encouraged to promote your event/workshop/play/drum circle/puja/YOURSELF/whatever FREELY (and know we have a professional editor to “clean up” your piece, if you are not a natural writer!) 

In addition to providing listings of enlightened Bay Area events and such, you are encouraged to submit informative articles as well!  This is an excellent opportunity to educate others about Watsu; Tantra; why breath-work is so important; the value of raw food; the difference between Hatha and Iyengar yoga; etc., we especially need “How To” pieces—how to set up urban permaculture; how to build a yurt; healthy recipes; whatever as long as it is in alignment with holistic living, loving and work.  The perk to this, for you, is FREE exposure for yourself or business, as well as adding credibility to your good work.

And once you have been published on Awakening the Bay, you can post the link to your event or article on your Twitter, FaceBook page, blog, website, etc.  This is electronic “cross-pollination”!   And for those writer-wanna-be’s out there (I know there are many!), this is an excellent venue to showcase your work, meaning your articles on Awakening the Bay can bolster your writing resume. 

And know that Awakening the Bay is not limited to the Bay Area (eventually, we will have Awakening LaLa Land –aka, LA, Awakening the Big Apple, aka, NYC, etc.) but this is just the first model!  And since we have Travel and Tours section, you can promote your retreats/classes and workshops all over the world—in Bali, in Hawaii, in Costa Rica, etc. 

So if I tagged you in this note, know that I KNOW you are perfect for this site and you can write!  So I hope to see both your events/workshops/parties/etc. and hopefully, an article or two from you in the near future!

So, if you have not already, please check out the website and give us a “like” on our new FaceBook page.  I am confident this holistic network is a huge asset to our community, as well as a tool for positive change in the world!

What's up with Bien de Mujer? Checking in with Kelly's work in Costa Rica

Last Saturday, Bien de Mujer staff and 17 women from Granos Solidarios traveled all the way to Casa del Sol in Guanacaste (a 4-hour drive) to learn how to cook with solar panels. The women sang the whole drive there!

Casa del Sol is an eco-tourism project of Sol Verde—a cooperative formed with the support of Sol de Vida and the Central American Solar Energy Project—which represents 15 local community groups, presents the annual “Fiesta del Sol” event, and operates a small solar restaurant with “delicious home cooking.” Sol Verde is headquartered in the Casa del Sol, which houses a permanent demonstration facility for solar applications with emphasis on solar cookers.

Operating in the Santa Cruz and Nicoya counties of the Guanacaste region, Fundación Sol de Vida takes a holistic approach to expanding the use of renewable energy. The proj¬ect not only promotes the use of solar power for cooking, but also seeks to build women’s capacity for other development activities through the process of constructing and using solar cookers. Therefore, our group of women was warmly welcomed by the Casa del Sol head of staff, Fatima, and several other local volunteers.

In addition to learning about solar cooking, our group participated in guided tour of their resource center. They learned about different mod¬els of solar cookers, about solar water pumps, were shown solar heaters and solar dryers, as well as photovoltaic panels for lighting—all the different ways solar energy can be used to make their lives easier and cheaper! They were guided through organic gardens; given priceless healthy growing, eating and cooking tips, and eventually, prepared their own meal, using a solar panel!

Casa de Sol even donated one solar panel cooking structure to Granos Solidarios, to be used at our women and children’s center in La Caprio. It was a beautiful day, on many levels, and we are grateful to the everyone at Sol de Vida and Casa del Sol who made this an informative, fun and unforgettable experience!

For more information about this project please visit here! And for more photos of our day at Casa del Sol, visit our FaceBook page!

Earn money and support children's educational programs as a Wise Friend!

Wise Heart Books is actively seeking “Wise Friends” to independently sell our value-based books:  Earn money, while at the same time, supporting the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation children’s educational programs.  NOTE:  In the vein of Hair Club for Men, I don’t just work for Wise Heart Books, I am a member! (I am already a Wise Friend, myself.)

A little background:

Wise Heart Books is a socially conscious company designed by educators, parents, and artists to create books and educational materials that nurture the whole child: body, mind and spirit. Each book contains an important message for children, such as building a strong and healthy body or cultivating positive thoughts and habits, or developing love for oneself and the world around them.

Wise Friends are our special Wise Heart Books representatives, introducing our value-based books and our holistic mind-body-spirit philosophy to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and their local communities, while earning money at the same time. This is a grassroots, stress-free, fun way to earn some extra income for you and your family, selling life-enhancing books and educational materials.

Wise Friends can easily earn commissions from 20-40% of retail value-- all while working at home, when it is most convenient for you and your family.  Wise Heart Books can be sold online; at local community events; at local religious institutions and schools; at a local farmer’s market; via local businesses; or even at a neighborhood party—we are calling them “Wise Reading Parties.”

Wise Heart Books provides Wise Friends with practical, effective online and traditional marketing resources, tools, and support to assist you every step of the way. And yes, it is free to become a Wise Friend—there is no start-up investment cost.  In theory, you could sign up today—announce it on your FaceBook today; sell some books today; and start making some commissions today!

For all the details, please visit our site http://wiseheartbooks.com/ and click on “Join Wise Friends and earn!”  Then read through the Wise Friends 101 and you will get how it works and will also see all the ways you can market these books online and/or old skool, at your convenience.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@wiseheartbooks.com   And even if you are not interested in becoming a Wise Friend, but decide to buy one of our books, know that my code is 1201!  And of course, please pass this onto anyone you think might be interested!

Thanks, I am hoping this is a win-win-win situation for everyone—you, the nonprofit I serve-- Bien de Mujer/ the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation, and all the children who benefit from our programs.

Thank you for all your time and consideration,

Kelly N Patterson

Preparing for the launch of Wise Heart Books’ Wise Friend Program

Over the past few weeks, I have been working with the good folks at Wise Heart Books to engineer, compose and implement what we are calling our “Wise Friends” program.  We are simultaneously about to launch a series of value-driven children’s books (first in English, Español el próximo mes que viene! ) known as Wise Heart Books, as an income-generation tool for women, and simultaneously, to generate funds for our women and children’s community and education center in La Carpio, the slums of San Jose, Costa Rica.  (For more information about our work in La Carpio, visit here.)

Wise Heart Books is a socially conscious company designed by educators, parents, and artists to create books and educational materials that nurture the whole child: body, mind and spirit. Each book contains an important message for children, such as building a strong and healthy body or cultivating positive thoughts and habits, or developing love for oneself and the world around them.

The idea is that women “join” or sign-up as a “Wise Friend” (it is free!); Wise Friends are our special Wise Heart Books representatives, introducing our value-based books and our holistic mind-body-spirit philosophy to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and their local communities, while earning money at the same time. This is a grassroots, stress-free, fun way to earn some extra income for a woman and her family, selling life-enhancing books and educational materials. 

Wise Friends can easily earn commissions from 20-40% of retail value-- all while working at home, when it is most convenient for them and their family.  Wise Heart Books can be sold online; at local community events; at local religious institutions and schools; at a local farmer’s market; via local businesses; or even at a neighborhood party—we are calling them “Wise Reading Parties.”

Thus, I have spent the last few weeks putting together a comprehensive but simple, user-friendly training manual which covers everything from making a business plan 101 to hosting a “Wise Reading Party” to online marketing 101 to help women get their businesses up and started.  And of course, these tools can be used for any business.

All sales of Wise Heart Books go directly to the Wise Friend who facilitates the sale, and to support children’s holistic educational projects around the globe by The Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation. 

If you would like to learn more, or become a Wise Friend, please visit: http://wiseheartbooks.com/friends.html

So what do you write?

 Everyone asks me this question.  My answer?

“I write about whatever interests me; whatever makes me giggle or cheer; whatever disgusts me or befuddles me.  I write about topics I am passionate about, and every once and a while, I try to draw attention to an issue that I think needs some more public contemplation.”

Here’s the story:  I am former Reuters Health and Sciences Reporter (Sub-Saharan Africa division.)  Yeah, ever heard of AIDS in Africa?!!  Well, then, you already know my work; but please do not hold this against me—ask anyone at Reuters, I went AWOL.  

I was also one of the original (read: paid, regular) writers for Sodahead.com, but as it turns out, I was too “liberal” and “cerebral” for the audience they ended up attracting.  Sodahead.com readers and users preferred to read about Brittney Spear’s latest nail polish for dogs, or question clichés like “Does size really matter?”, rather than appreciate the irony of Obama nominating a former pesticide lobbyist, Islam Siddiqui, to be Chief Agriculture Negotiator, or read my praise for Sherman’s Travel taking on the Gay Love Boat advert campaign.

To demonstrate the breadth of my writing style and tone, not to mention topics, I have put together a little Kelly montage:

 Damn you environmentalists!  Now I have to re-plan my funeral! 

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/damn-you-environmentalists-now-i-have-to-re-plan-my-funeral/blog-216761/

 AIDS in Africa: How Gender Issues Are the Lubricant for the Pandemic

http://seanamo.tigblog.org/post/285235?setlangcookie=true

 

 Men, are you a perpetrator of bad sex?

http://www.sodahead.com/living/men-are-you-a-perpetrator-of-bad-sex/blog-184160/ 

Tanzania: This Bus Departs at Nine O’Clock

 http://www.tangodiva.com/index.php?page=features&j=1&cat=2&story_id=395

Pass the peace pipe!  November is National Native American Heritage Month 

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/pass-the-peace-pipe-november-is-national-native-american-heritage-month/blog-195873/?page=2

Running away to Egypt (at Age 9)

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Kellykarma/211462/

 

 A Tale of Two Beaches: Playa Pelada and Playa Guiones

http://nightstylecr.com/magazine_detailed.php?id=10&table=news

 

Interpreter, please!

http://www.intravelmag.com/inept/298-interpreter-please-learning-zulu-in-south-africa

 

What to do when you only have 365 days left (a monthly planner)

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Kellykarma/211180/

For a whole collection of personal narratives and even some bad poetry:
http://www.writerscafe.org/Kellykarma

And here is another interesting fact:  I have been the Alternative Recreation Reporter for the San Francisco Examiner for 2 years now.  Therefore, I already have a huge following of hippies, Burners, Eco-heads, Rainbow Family members, Indigo Children, artists, Tantra teachers, yogis, and other various sub-cultures: 

  http://www.examiner.com/x-2454-SF-Alternative-Recreation-Examiner

Anyway, on to my vital stats:

Current Work: Part-time Communications and Development Coordinator of  Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation, Costa Rica (http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html) and Marketing Coordinator for Wise Heart Books (http://wiseheartbooks.com/ )

Current Blogs and Social Media Networks:

http://www.examiner.com/x-2454-SF-Alternative-Recreation-Examiner

http://thenonprofitguru.wordpress.com/

http://biendemujer.wordpress.com/

FACE BOOK: Kelly N Patterson

http://www.linkedin.com/in/kellynpatterson

Kelly’s new role with WWD-F (También en mal Español!)

I would love to do a survey of tourists and Costa Ricans (who live outside of San Jose), and ask them if they have ever heard of “La Carpio”?  I suspect most of them, both visitors and Ticos alike, will answer “no.”  “La Carpio” is basically the “slums” of San Jose and like most slums, unless you live there or have family there, no one ever visits, much less wants to accidentally end up there while trying to find the San Pedro Mall.  The Women’s Well-Being and Development Foundation (WWD-F) is one of the few local women-designed and operated; non-profit, community-based organizations specifically addressing the well-being, internal and external development, and quality education and empowerment of women and children living in La Carpio.  (Just my cup of coffee!)

Previously, I was just a fan and supporter of the quality work of WWD-F; now, I am a volunteer member of this extraordinary, international team of powerful, inspired, and resourceful women.  WWD-F might be new to you, but I have done some pro bono consulting with them in the past, as well as actively promoted last year’s big children’s Christmas party. 

This is Keilyn, she wants to be a singer or doctor, when she grows up.

This is the 3rd building that WWD-F is hoping to be able to purchase for their women and children's alternative community education center and play ground

Every Tuesday, we all go out to La Carpio to play with the kids, do some workshops and then eat!

A typical street in La Carpio, San Jose, Costa Rica

They do not have playgrounds in La Carpio, so this is where kids play

For the time being, I am taking on various roles with WWD-F which range from promoting this year’s Annual Children’s Christmas Party (more details to come shortly!); working on their new website (http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html) as well as assisting in the design of an integrated social media communications and marketing plan; and marketing their new series of children’s books, called Wise Heart Books, which focus on teaching values to children in a fun, memorable way—again, more about this soon!

Current projects of the Women’s Well-Being and Development Foundation (WWD-F):

• Experiential, uplifting children’s education program called Ilori Educational Program, which includes “playshops”, fieldtrips, and events/activities outside of La Carpio.
• Educational Center Canto Al Sol: a preschool located in Lomas de Tepeyac, San Jose-- with programs such as yoga, swimming, music and the arts, in addition to early childhood development education.
• Wise Heart children’s books—which will partially fund all current WWD-F projects
• Women’s Support Group called Granos Solidarios, which is currently working on putting together a small group business, in addition to training and support in conflict resolution; parenting skills; nutrition; self-esteem development; community organization; and holistic health care.
• The Sattva Vita Complementary  Health Care Center, located in Guadalupe, San Jose, which is staffed by certified Aryuvedic practitioners and other professional alternative and holistic health providers.

WWD-F just purchased two buildings in La Carpio (and intend to purchase a third building) and are actively in the process of transforming this series of buildings, in the middle of the slums, into an eco-friendly, safe, welcoming, and most importantly, fun women and children’s community education center with everything from an organic garden and playground to classrooms, library and computer lab and more!  For information about WWD-F:  http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html

Ahora, en mal Español…

Me encantaría hacer una encuesta de los turistas y los costarricenses (que viven fuera de San José), y pedirles que si alguna vez han oído hablar de "La Carpio"? Sospecho que la mayoría de ellos, tanto los visitantes como los ticos por igual, se responde "no". "La Carpio" es básicamente el "barrios bajos" de San José y como la mayoría de barrios pobres, a menos que viva allí o tiene familia allí, nadie visita nunca mucho menos quiere acabar accidentalmente allí tratando de encontrar el Mall San Pedro. La mujer Bienestar y Fundación para el Desarrollo (WWD-F) es uno de los pocos locales de mujeres, diseñados y operados, sin fines de lucro, organizaciones de base comunitaria que aborden específicamente el bienestar, el desarrollo interno y externo, y la calidad de la educación y el empoderamiento de las mujeres y los niños que viven en La Carpio. (Sólo mi taza de café!)

Anteriormente, yo era un admirador y partidario de la calidad del trabajo de WWD-F, y ahora, soy un miembro voluntario de este extraordinario equipo, internacional de mujeres poderosas, inspirado, y con recursos. WWD-F puede ser nuevo para usted, pero he hecho algunas consultorías pro bono con ellos en el pasado, así como el año pasado promovió activamente la fiesta de Navidad de los niños grandes.

Por el momento, estoy asumiendo diversos roles con WWD-F, que van desde la promoción anual de este año la fiesta de Navidad para la Infancia (más detalles a venir en breve!), Trabajando en su nuevo sitio web (http://www.wwd-f. org / index.html), así como ayudar en el diseño de una red de comunicaciones integrado de medios sociales y plan de marketing, y comercialización de su nueva serie de libros para niños, llamado Sabio Libros del Corazón, que se centran en la enseñanza de valores a los niños de una manera divertida y memorable de nuevo, más sobre esto pronto!

Los proyectos actuales de la Mujer, Bienestar y Fundación para el Desarrollo (WWD-F):

• Experiencial, edificante programa de educación de los hijos llamados Ilori Programa de Educación, que incluye "playshops", excursiones, eventos y actividades de las afueras de La Carpio.
• Centro Educativo Canto al Sol: una escuela preescolar ubicada en Lomas de Tepeyac, San José - con programas como el yoga, la natación, la música y las artes, además de la educación temprana de desarrollo infantil.
• libros sabios hijos del Corazón-que en parte se financiará todos los proyectos actuales

• Grupo de Apoyo de Mujeres denominado Granos Solidarios, que actualmente está trabajando en armar un negocio pequeño grupo, además de la formación y apoyo en la resolución de conflictos, habilidades de crianza, nutrición, desarrollo de la autoestima, organización comunitaria y la atención de salud integral.
• El Sattva Vita Complementaria Centro de Salud, ubicado en Guadalupe, San José, que es atendida por profesionales certificados Aryuvedic y otros tipos de profesionales y otros proveedores de salud integral.

WWD-F acaba de adquirir dos edificios en La Carpio (y la intención de comprar un tercer edificio) y se activa en el proceso de transformación de esta serie de edificios, en medio de los barrios bajos, en un eco-amigable, seguro y acogedor, y lo más importante, las mujeres y el centro de diversión de los niños educación de la comunidad con todo, desde un jardín orgánico y un parque infantil a las aulas, biblioteca y laboratorio de computación y mucho más! Para obtener información acerca WWD-F: http://www.wwd-f.org/index.html

Operation Safe Drinking Water partners with local community-based organization, Centro Infantil Cristiano

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By Kelly N Patterson

Outskirts of Changuinola, October 21, 2010—

In order to most effectively address and sustain the basic needs and primary health care of the local Guomi, or Guaymi, (indigenous) people of the Bocas del Toro region, it is critical that all sectors work together to meet community needs. Therefore, the Operation Safe Drinking Water (OSDW) team met up with a multi-purpose, Changuinola-based community organization named Centro Infantil Cristiano, last Thursday in Almirante.

Local Panamanian community organizer, Melva Marriot de Brid, is the ambitious and charismatic founder and president of two different community-based organizations: Centro Infantil Cristiano, which seeks to address mother and children’s health and welfare, and Centro de Ayuda y Rehabilitacion de Viviendas, which seeks to address drug and alcohol addiction throughout the Almirante region. Melva met the OSDW team in downtown Almirante, along with her two colleagues: former local preacher, Edgardo, and Rupert Harris, who is trying to set up youth sports development programs, in his spare time, throughout the area—mainly football, volleyball, and baseball.

Melva and her enthusiastic team (all wearing red shirts in the photos) took OSDW to three different Guomi (or Guyami) communities just outside of downtown Changuinola: San San Puente, Puente Negro, and Tibiti. She took OSDW to these communities to demonstrate the need for community rain-water catchment systems and basic primary health care education, as well as to deliver donated shoes to school children, some clothes, and snacks. NOTE: Even though public schools are free in Panama, families are still responsible for purchasing a school uniform, shoes, books, school supplies, and provide their own transportation to school—which is mainly walking through grassy (snake-filled) fields, across swamps and sometimes, crossing an un-bridged river.

Melva explained to OSDW that aside from distributing donated items to these communities-- which have an 80% unemployment rate; lack of public infrastructure (such as sidewalks, sanitation systems, electricity, poor public services, etc. ); low levels of education; poor housing conditions; and an average family size of 6 children-- Centro Infantil Cristiano has successfully launched several sewing income generation projects with local women’s groups; built 3 community “comedors” (or kitchens) where she has taught mothers how to prepare and cook nutritious foods for their families; and through Centro de Ayuda y Rehabilitacion de Viviendas, they have personally escorted extreme drug addicts, a 9-hour bus ride, to professional drug rehabilitation facilities in Panama City (Melva’s dream is to create a drug and alcohol rehab community home in Almirante.) In addition, Melva has authored a cook book, featuring typical Bocas region cuisine, entitled “Cocina Tipica de Bocas del Toro” (published in Spanish only, 2008), with all proceeds going to support her organizations.

Basically, Centro Infantil Cristiano has asked OSDW to partner in the creation of 6 new community comedors (kitchens) in the Changuinola outskirts--complete with nutritional education, cooking lessons and basic water/sanitation prevention and education— by installing 6 new community rain catchment water systems. Therefore, OSDW and Centro Infantil Cristiano will be working together to create 6 new community comedors throughout the region, complete with nutrition and sanitation awareness and education, as well as 6 community water tanks to provide clean, safe drinking, cooking and cleaning water.

To learn more about this joint community project, to donate, or participate, please contact OSDW at opsafewater@gmail.com or visit http://operationsafedrinkingwater.org. 

Photos:

Photo 1:  Maribel Bass of OSDW handing out shoes to children in Puente Negro.

Photo 2:  Joe Bass (OSDW) discussing partnering with Centro Infantil Cristiano in creating 6 community “comedors” (kitchens.)

 Photo 3:  (from left to right) Melva Marriot de Brid (CIC), Joe Bass (OSDW), Rupert Harris (CIC), Edgardo (CIC), and Maribel Bass (OSDW) holding boxes of donated school shoes.

 Photo 4:  An example of the current community water well at San San Puente—notice the rust and there is no cover—which means animals, debris, dirt, rubbish, and even small children can fall into the well.  An open well can also serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and all kinds of amoebas—which lead to diarrhea, worms, and other water-born diseases.

Photo 5:  Here is a photo of the local women and children gathering in San San Puente to pick up donations.

Photo 6:  A typical house in all three communities—note: this house is home to a single mother with 10 kids.

Mission Statement and Professional Summary

Mission Statement:


Kelly N. Patterson's chief motivation is to use her writing, communications, organizational development, and teaching skills and experience as a tool for public education and positive change.


Kelly’s work philosophy has been “stolen” from Sufi Poet, Kahlil Gibran:
“Work is love made tangible.”




Kelly’s titles have included the following:

Executive Director
Development Director
International Development Consultant
HIV/AIDS/TB/STI Management Consultant
Communications and Public Relations Director
E-Content Manager and Editor
Public Information Writer and Editor
Journalist
Curriculum Developer
Teacher Trainer
Technical Writer and Editor
Media Liaison
Corporate Communications Writer
Copywriter
Speech Writer
Grant Writer
Researcher
Creative Writer
Script Writer
Playwright
Teacher


Some of her past and current clients include the following:

Intentional Conscious Communities of Costa Rica www.icccr.info
Couchsurfing.com www.couchsurfing.com
The Well Project www.thewellproject.org
World Bank/Caribbean Regional Network+ http://www.crnplus.org/
Camino Seguro www.safepassage.org
Art Basel http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/ca/cc/ss/
University of South Carolina, School of Public Health http://www.sph.sc.edu/
International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS http://www.icw.org/
The Gere Foundation http://www.gerefoundation.org/
Zanempilo Trust http://www.zanempilo.org.za/
Medicins Sans Frontiers http://www.msf.org/
Reuters http://www.reuters.com/home
Department of Health Kwa Zulu Natal http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/vision.htm
Voluntary Service Overseas http://www.vso.org.uk/
BBC http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/orphansofnkandla/synopsis.html
No Lie Productions http://www.nolieproductions.com/credits.html
EBS TV and EBS English (Educational Broadcasting System) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_Broadcasting_System
Seoul National University http://www.snu.ac.kr/engsnu/
The Center for Positive Connections http://www.positiveconnections.org/index.html
Sisters of the Presentation http://www.presentationsisterssf.org/
Habitat for Humanity International http://www.habitat.org/



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