Dough for Dough

It’s the same story over and over again; the rich get richer, the poor get poorer or so we thought. Until one day a few people decided to make a difference in their nations. Together they were called the East Asian Tigers. They decided that they did not have to be poor, illiterate and rejected the rest of their lives. So with strict economic guidelines and a rigid educational system they were able to get their people out of the slums and into respectable homes. When the credit crunch hit, those who were thought once to be losers came out on top, virtually unscathed whilst the rest of the world rocked.

As they say in my country “no situation is permanent”. Our agenda is not about financing poverty but alleviating poverty. Financing poverty puts money in their hands, alleviating poverty puts freedom in their hearts. Those with crushed dreams and hopes begin to see the light again, realising that they can be more than they are, they can achieve what they want and have the potential for success. You probably watched Slumdog Millionaire or welcome to Lagos and it touched your heart. But then you thought maybe they’ll all win a million bucks like Jamal and you won’t have to do a thing, just pray for them. Or maybe they’ll get a music deal like Vocal Slenda.



We have a vision born out of love and fuelled with passion that will ensure a brighter today and tomorrow for those the world takes no notice of. No more waiting for chance or luck, it’s time for action and it’s time to do it right. Get involved with a project that will truly make a difference. Hungry 4 Change will host a cake sale week taking place from the 13th -19th December 2010. The week will include selling cakes at a number of places such as SOAS University, Kings College University, Thames Valley University, Brixton Market and Ruach Ministries. Changing the world never tasted so sweet.

Immanuel,
God bless.

Food for Thought

Pain au chocolat, beluga caviar, French fries, j2o, sticky toffee meringue.... Things that two thirds of the world doesn’t care about. What we so readily discard are the things they so eagerly desire – rice, bread, potatoes, water (clean or dirty). In slums all across the world children are ransacking dumpsters for any bit of food they can get be it half eaten, over ripe or even rotten. Indeed we are fortunate and we have nothing to be ashamed of. But what are you prepared to do?

You don’t need a lot to change the world. A whole family can be fed from as little as 30 pence per day. It sounds ludicrous doesn’t it? By the time you are done reading this 24 children would’ve died because of starvation, but that doesn’t have to continue. United 4 Change is determined to revolutionise our world, but we can’t do it alone. You can help out by donating money for the Kenyan orphanage we are supporting, but please don’t let it stop there. You have more to offer than you know in the form of your time, skills and abilities. Together we will make a difference. Together we will save our future.


Immanuel.

10 reasons why you should buy fairtrade

1.It’s empowering- the focus moves from giving aid to empowering communities to help themselves.

2.It guarantees that no child labor is used.

3.Producers are paid a fair price that covers their living costs so that they have some security, they have long-term contracts and therefore can plan ahead

4.Producers and workers are allowed to join unions and other organizations that can protect their rights and ensure that they have fair working conditions.

5.Producers get a premium (extra money on top), which they can invest in community development e.g. building schools

6.It tackles poverty by opening up markets to marginalised producers

7.It guarantees that producers in developing countries are getting a better and fair deal.

8.Consumers show they care about producers and not just about prices

9.It challenges all companies to move away from unsustainably low commodity
prices and unethical sourcing.

10.Fair trade sends a loud message to governments that the public wants justice in
all trade.

Dont be greedy: spread the LOVE!

For all the law is fulfilled in ONE word, even in this; Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbor as thyself -- Galatians 5:14

Jesus: The greatest hero of change

Looking back through history we can see that God’s heart is overwhelmingly for the poor.

The Bible contains more than 300 verses on the poor, social justice, and God's deep concern for both.

Jesus is the advocate for the poor

The voice for the voiceless

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18

The biographies of Jesus depict him repeatedly reaching out to those at the bottom of the social pyramid--poor people, women, Samaritans, lepers, children, prostitutes and tax collectors.

If the Lord who we serve and try to model our lives after cares so much for the poor, then so should we!


Would the world look the way it does if all believers helped the poor?

be inspired..

Martin Luther King on helping others: Be inspired

"THE FIRST QUESTION WHICH THE PRIEST AND THE

LEVITE ASKED WAS: 'IF I STOP TO HELP THIS MAN,

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?' BUT... THE GOOD SAMARITAN

REVERSED THE QUESTION: 'IF I DO NOT STOP TO HELP THIS

MAN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIM?"

Martin Luther King on change: Be inspired

"CHANGE DOES NOT ROLL IN ON THE

WHEELS OF INEVITABILITY,

BUT COMES THROUGH CONTINUOUS STRUGGLE"



In the eleven-year period between 1957 and 1968, King traveled over six million miles and spoke over twenty-five hundred times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action.


In these years, he led a massive protest in Birmingham, Alabama, that caught the attention of the entire world, providing what he called a coalition of conscience. and inspiring his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail", a manifesto of the Negro revolution; he planned the drives in Alabama for the registration of Negroes as voters; he directed the peaceful march on Washington, D.C., of 250,000 people to whom he delivered his address, "l Have a Dream", he conferred with President John F. Kennedy and campaigned for President Lyndon B. Johnson; he was arrested upwards of twenty times and assaulted at least four times; he was awarded five honorary degrees; was named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963; and became not only the symbolic leader of American blacks but also a world figure.

At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement.

DREAMS+ ACTION = CHANGE

BE INSPIRED

Martin Luther King on justice: Be Inspired

"INJUSTICE ANYWHERE

IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE"

MARTIN LUTHER KING

Martin Luther King: Be inspired

"AN INDIVIDUAL HAS NOT STARTED LIVING

UNTIL HE CAN RISE ABOVE

HIS INDIVIDUALISTIC CONCERNS

TO THE BROADER CONCERNS OF ALL HUMANITY"

MARTIN LUTHER KING

Gandhi Quote: Be Inspired

"THE BEST WAY TO FIND YOURSELF


IS TO LOSE YOURSELF


IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS"


GANDHI

Mahatma Gandhi: Be inspired

"YOU MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT


RESULTS COME OF YOUR ACTION,


BUT IF YOU DO NOTHING


THERE WILL BE NO RESULT"

Past Heroes of Change: MAHATMA GANDHI

Gandhi's desire was simple: LET INDIA BE FREE!!!!!!!

Born: October 2, 1869
Martyrdom: January 30, 1948.
Achievements: Known as Father of India; he played a key role in winning freedom for India;

Gandhi, responded to the question: if you could change one thing in the world what would it be? he wanted more for his people, for his country, he wanted freedom, and more importantly he was willing to ACT to create the change.

In 1921, Gandhi gave the call for Non-cooperation movement against the ills of British rule. Gandhi's call ROUSED the sleeping nation. Many Indians renounced their titles and honours, lawyers gave up their practice, and students left colleges and schools. Non-cooperation movement also brought women into the domain of freedom struggle for the first time. Non-cooperation movement severely jolted the British government. But the movement ended in an anti-climax in February 1922. An outbreak of mob violence so shocked and pained Gandhi that he refused to continue the campaign and undertook a fast for five days to atone for a crime committed by others.



Gandhi spent many years in and out of prison due to the unjustness of the British rule and their desire to silence him and his quest for freedom. After the outbreak of Second World War in 1939, Gandhiji again became active in the political arena. British Government wanted India's help in the war and Congress in return wanted a clear-cut promise of independence from British government. But British government dithered in its response and on August 8, 1942 Gandhiji gave the call for Quit India Movement. Soon the British Government arrested Gandhiji and other top leaders of Congress. Disorders broke out immediately all over India and many violent demonstrations took place.

India finally gained its independence! but there was division between the Muslims and Hindus. Gandhiji worked ceaselessly to promote unity between them. This angered some Hindu fundamentalists and on January 30, 1948 Gandhiji was shot dead.


ONE MANS DREAM HAD THE POWER TO UNITE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE TO FIGHT AND BELIEVE IN CHANGE.
MANY HAD BEEN BORN INTO COLONIALISM, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY TO SAY 'WHATS THE POINT IN FIGHTING, THIS IS HOW ITS ALWAYS BEEN' BUT THANK GOD ONE MAN WAS INSPIRED AND DARED TO PURSUE HIS DREAM.

NOTICE THE WORD 'FIGHT' IT WASN'T EASY BY ANY MEASURE ACHIEVING FREEDOM, BUT I BELIEVE SOME THINGS ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR, AND EVEN THOUGH HE DIED IN THE END, HIS LEGACY OF FREEDOM FOR INDIA, FOR GENERATION AFTER GENERATION, AFTER GENERATION LIVES ON.

TODAY INDIA IS FREE!!

Abigail Okunlola.

Catch 22 Exposure event- Saturday 25th September

Hi guys catch the CH4NGE crew tommorrow at this event (see flyer)

Its being organised by Catch 22 a charity that focuses on empowering young people

Its a free event taking place at JASMINS, 202 UPPER TOOTING ROAD, SW17 7EW. TIME: 1-5PM
its jamm packed with:
-fashion show
-volunteering opportunities
-live DJ
-Dancers
-Open mic
-Competetions etc

Its a free event so come down network,talk to us about volunteering, events etc, have some fun and make sure you leave with one of our fabulous F4C items!!!!

Hope to see you tomorrow!
Fashion 4 Change team

'Where fashion changes more than your wardrobe: it chaanges lives!'

October will profile past leaders of ch4nge! be inspired!!

'THOSE WHO HAVE NO RECORD OF WHAT THEIR FORBEARERS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED LOSE THE INSPIRATION FOR CHANGE THAT COMES WITH THE TEACHING OF HISTORY' DR CARTER GEORRGE WOODSON.

IF WE ARE TO TRULY MOVE FORWARD WITH CONVICTION FOR CH4NGE, ITS WORTH TAKING A LOOK BACK AT PAST LEADERS OF CHANGE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM!

This October is dedicated to those leaders who were not only asked the question: 'if you could change one thing in the world what would it be? but responded to the call

This will act as a prelude to the 'Ch4nge in 60 second videos' which will be launched in November and will profile modern day people passionate about change.

The change factory has expanded immensely and October/November will see the arrival of many new faces!!! bloggers, editors, film makers etc

be inspired!!!!

Is CHANGE IMPOSSIBLE?

Hey World Changers,

Thanks to all those who responded to the blog: 'If you could change 1 thing in the world what would it be?' we had some great responses such as:

'I would like to ch4nge the lives of families that have been broken'

'Make everyone know their purpose for living'


'I would change child social issues, in particular ensuring that ALL children (globally) receive a just and fair opportunity at being educated'


If you didn't have time to respond not to worry, you can still send it in or alternatively take a minute to pause and to answer it to yourself personally.

In response to what you would like to see changed, ask yourself:

is change possible? or impossible?

yes/no? change is (im)possible when you....tell us in ONE word or ONE sentence how its possible or not.
e.g. your word might be 'unite' or your sentence could be 'open your eyes'


Comments will be used anonymously for a CH4NGE video series we are launching soon so watch this space......

Looking forward to your responses!!
CH4NGE team.x

Volunteering Opportunities

Hi World Changers,

Please find below a list of current volunteering opportunities we have.

Our vision is simple: To change lives. We believe change is possible and real change starts with action!

We want to change the lives of orphans all around the world empowering them and giving them opportunities to be all they can be while providing for their basic needs as well. We don’t believe education should be a luxury for the rich, we believe it is a right. We also want to work with faith leaders and young people in the UK and inspire and empower them to actively tackle social injustice and poverty.

The number of children across the world that have lost both parents to HIV is 15 million that’s more than all the children in the UK. Are they destined for a life of poverty? NO! We believe change IS possible!!!

This is an exciting time of expansion for us. To get involved simply email us stating the role(s) you are interested in and your phone number and we will call you to have an informal chat. All roles are flexible and can be worked around your time commitments anything you commit even if its 1hour a month or a one-off event is appreciated. We are also able to give volunteers references upon request.


ROLES

1) Events Co-ordinators


2) Programme Co-ordinators (role involves co-ordinating projects abroad e.g. working with our partners, current partners are based in Kenya)

3) Sales Team (helping to sell at events)


4) Admin support (e.g. updating contacts on mailing list, sending out newsletter soon to be launched, researching events and festivals we can get stalls at.etc)

5) Fundraising (researching potential sources of funds that we are eligible for and liaising with our fundraising consultant)

6) Policy and Research (over the next few months we will be creating an influential research report that will form the basis of this organisation, organising focus groups, surveying people etc) this is a short-term role

7) Media (creating short video blogs, interviewing people, creating short documentaries. taking pictures at key events)

8) PR (getting sponsorship for events, getting articles in the media, endorsements of merchandise or events from key public figures and being innovative to drive this forward

9) Social Media (assisting with blog, network forums and facebook, must enjoy writing, networking)

10) Marketing (designing logos, flyers, merchandise etc)


11) Fashion shop (helping to design or liaising with designers to design products, to get products into boutiques)




Love n blessings.
Abigail and Josephine.
info@fashion4change.org.uk

Ruach Youth Conference/Fusionite Fashion Show

the Fashion 4 Change team were out and about again, spreading the CH4NGE message! we spent the weekend 27th-29th August at Ruach youth Conference. It was a jam packed weekend with drama productions, workshops such as prophetic art, living supernatural naturally, praise and worship etc, words were given which focused on faith and people understanding the treaure in them and living it out. One word to describe the conference would be WOW!!!! the holyspirit truly moved and all manner of healings took place! Ruach youth service takes place at 122 Brixton Hill, 2:30-4:30 hope to catch you there!!!! whilst there also check out our in house bookshop wheere you can purchase our fashion 4 change ethcical cotton bags for £3.99, a steal right!!!



the fashion 4 change team will be out next at the Fusionite Fashion Show on Monday 6th September at 7-11:30pm
at Avalon
141 - 143 Shoreditch High Street
London, United Kingdom

FUSIONITE has an exciting line up of designers including:

N'kya Designs
INTERN CLOTHING
Kayobi
Sons of Men
Arabon
LAMULA ANDERSON

Our live performances include a mix of song, rap and poetry and features:

James Bellamy (X Factor)
AbbieSinger
K.Y.M
JPeace (Grime Daily)
Ms.Darks (Glastonbury Festival)
Musa Okwonga


Hosted by the beautiful REMEL LONDON

With music from DJ FRENCH KISS

In addition to this food will be available on the night - for a small additional cost!!!!

THIS EVENT IS FOR THOSE 18+ ONLY AND I.D. IS ESSENTIAL ON THE NIGHT

NO I.D. - NO ENTRY

Tickets cost £10 and can be bought online at:

http://www.clubtickets.com/gb/2010-09/06/fusionite



See you there!!!

Hey world changers!!!

Please take 1 minute to answer the below


Name one thing in the world that you would want to change? it doesn't have to be deep, but of course it can be, it can be as small, big, random, simple, strange as you like?

If you were given the power what would you change????


Love is a verb.x

Competition Time!!!!!!

Hello World Changers,


We have exciting news for you…. we have recently launched fabulous Fashion 4 Change ethical cotton bags (there handy as handbags and/or as shoppers). As our way of saying thank you for your support. We are running a competition for the month of August if you happen to be the 5th or 19th person to request a purchase this month you get it for FREE!!!


Bags normally cost £5 but for this month they will be selling at £4.50 each and £8 for two bags. The bag comes in two colours:
natural
black

To purchase yours, you can contact us directly at: info@fashion4change.org.uk and we will email you an order form and post it out to you.

Or you can purchase it at the In Da house bookshop, Ruach, Brixton, just hold on to your receipt as proof of purchase as well as date.

All the best!!!!
and thankyou again for your support as we strive to let fashion change more than our wardrobes: but to change lives!!

Croydon Gospel Festival

The croydon gospel festival 2010 took place on the 24th July 2010 at whitehorse recreation park, boulogne rd, CRO 2QT. It was an afternoon of music, great performances from the likes of Janelle melodic, Junior Garr, Inkrease, Guvna B, Faith Child to name but a few, there was food galore fun for all the family including bouncy castles, face painting. Fashion 4 Change brought a touch of glam with our ethical cotton bags and badges which sold a treat!!! .... badges are £1 or 4 for £3, bags are £5 or 2 for £9. You can purchase yours at In da House bookshop at Ruach, Brixton or you can purchase it directly from us by emailing info@fashion4change.org.uk and we will post it out to you or arrange a meeting place









Catch the Fashion 4 Change team next at the Ruach Youth Conference, theme: 'Heaven on Earth',122 Brixton Hill,London SW21RS friday 27th- 29th August
Friday: Drama Production- doors open at 6pm
Saturday AM:workshops- topics include how to hear from God, prophetic art and more- doors open 10am
Saturday PM: Heaven experience: His will be done- doors open 6pm
Sunday: services- 8:30am, 10:30am, 12.30pm and 6:30pm

Special guest on all days: Holy spirit
for further info contact: 02086786888

One of our partners Bless it Break it Share it (BBSI) is having a sponsored charity walk on the 28th August 2010. They are raising money in order to commence building the next phase of the childrens home,which is another dormitory for the girls from the Kibera slum in Kenya. Kindly click on the web page below if you would like to give. Many hands make light work. http://www.justgiving.com/florence-shakesSee More
JustGiving - donate to charity and raise funds online - Raise money for charity online
www.justgiving.com

June 2010- Fashion 4 Change Launch Event Review!

Swishing is basically the sport of swapping your unwanted clothes for someone else’s. Fashionistas do this because 1) they want to save money 2) they’re eco warriors who believe recycling clothes is doing their part to protecting the environment 3) They want to par-tay (obviously!). I attended my 3rd ever swishing soiree (hosted by charity Fashion4Change) on Friday. I actually didn’t have any unwanted clothes, so I quickly rummaged H&M the day before to buy a couple tops that wouldn’t break the bank and could be a worthwhile investment towards anything I managed to grab on the night.



You might have noticed I called swishing a ‘sport’. Well, it is – and what many don’t realise is that in order to be successful you have to understand the rules otherwise you might leave with someone’s sloppy seconds.

So my rule number 1: Scan the swishing shop as early as you can. It’ll be rare you’ll actually be allowed to go through the racks beforehand, but this is when your eyes need to work like scanners - dit dit dit dit dit DIT! Take note of the colours and styles you like (not point in wasting time over those burnt orange harem pants), and strategise the quickest routes to the shop once the whistle blows. I already knew that it was much better to sit as close to the shop as possible, at the end of the row (in this case, near the back), while all the newbies sat innocently at the front. Suckers.

My rule number 2: Once the whistle blows, head over to the shop, and grab at least four items in one go that vaguely resemble something you might go for. You’ve got to be quick though because once everyone else catches up with you after choking on your dust, they’ll be trying to adopt your technique – and there’s a good chance at least one of those four items will be a keeper. I managed to grab a pink dress, a green chiffon-style top, a black and white print dressy top and a gray shirt dress (which was actually the one I brought, hee hee! I put it back though!), but it turns out the pink dress wasn’t my size. And the black and white number actually belonged to one of the workers who accidentally left it on the side, only for it to be placed in the shop! LOL

My Rule number 3: Forget the accessories. I rarely go for these, and would only consider them as a last resort. Accessories (bangles, belts, etc) in my opinion are relatively cheap – and I’m trying to get my £8 entry fee’s worth, HELLO!? Saying that, I did manage to get a Burberry Bag at Swishing number 2, but it was, like I said, a last resort (and good fortune!)



Some events might also hold auctions - and Fashion4Change put on a fashion show/auction which featured some AMAZING items. I managed to land a lovely River Island cocktail dress for £7!!!!! Oooo, I do love a bargain (downside though: must diet to fit in it LOL. No rules for this except always think about the maximum you’re willing to spend on an item and bid in tiny increments, like eBay.



So if you’re into fashion and might want to your part for charity in a unique way, go to a swishing party ASAP. You can keep up to date with Fashion4Change here.


Matilda Egere Cooper http://theculturalexpose.tumblr.com/

Swishing Event Summer Edition (2010)

FACT: BRITISH women spend £7.3billion on clothes every year that they will never wear!!!

Just think of how much could be done with £7.3billion, the list is endless.

Understandably this news may come as a shock to many, but the truth is.... we all have some responsibility however small.

Fortunately, there are methods in place to help raise awareness of the global issues affecting our habitat. From reducing our carbon footprints through reduced Co2 emissions, recycling paper, water and other materials, to giving away clothes to charity to be re-used elsewhere, there are many initiatives in place to help make our world a better place.

One such new initiative is ''SWISHING''!!

WHAT IS SWISHING?

INTERESTING FACTS ON WHY WE SHOULD SWISH!

A study of 2000 men and women by Churchill home insurance, said most women left clothes on the hanger because they were no longer fashionable. While 1 in 10 admitted they regularly bought clothes a size to small t6o encourage them to diet, but never manged to fit into them.
With an average women buying 658 garments that will never be worn in her lifetime. This cant possibly be true u may say and even if it is true the figures must be exaggerated. well the next time your opening up your wardrobe take a minute to count the items of clothing tucked away or dusty as they have never seen the light of day.


Men are not exempt either. sorry fellas but its true. According to a study, men on average have 9 items of clothing costing around £20 each, that they have not worn in the last year.