1 Camera, 1000 Smiles

 So a couple of months back I purchased a new camera. I didn't want a SLR, as that's what friends are for! hehe!! But I wanted something that took decent snaps and was reliable.  My old trusty Sony was nearing its death, plus after playing up on me in Denmark (losing half my photos AND photos from 3 years back, I know my bad I should have backed up, well I didn't), it was time for a new camera.  On the recommendation of my housemate, I got myself a Lumix Lx5, one of the sell points was it had a Leica lens.  Word on the streets is Leica in the photography world is synonymous for sexy.  Can't afford a Leica camera but can afford a Lumix!  Now all I need to do is to learn how to use it.  But what about the old Sony?  It still works.  Since everyone around me seems to have a better camera anyway, I guess I could do what I usually do, that is give it to the op shop or I could google a project I had heard about in passing.  So to google I entered "donate camera melbourne children" and voila, 1 Camera, 1000 Smiles.

1 Camera, 1000 Smiles is a "project that runs photography workshops with young people living in rural villages in Bali."  They are committed to empowerment through photography and believe that by learning photography skills, young people are better able to express themselves, tell their own story and develop problem solving skills.

Wow, imagine my no longer loved Sony could bring about 1000 Smiles.  Thus, it's a no brainer, I got in touch with the guys running the initiative, dropped $6 in postage to 87 Evans Street Port Melbourne, Attn: Richard Piscioneri, and hello good deed for the day! 

In all colors and in all sizes

The festive season tis upon us with jolly times catching up with me this weekend. But I got through it. Maybe it's the excitment I'll be jetting off soon that is helping me push through it. And before you start questioning the "jetting off" aka isn't flying really bad for the environment, I refer you to this post (the start of my travel blog which explains why travel is important).

As I start preparing for my trip, working out what to pack, I realize it's also the perfect opprtunity to do a big clean especially since when I return it'll be 2012, a start of a new year. The big clean involves going through items I no longer wear or use and d0nating them to charity. What always seems to stump me is what to do with bras I no longer wear. Is it rude/offensive to donate used under garments?

Several months ago I remember reading an article about an organization who were collecting bras for third world countries. Thanks to trusty Google I came to find Uplift Bras, an Australian charity that collects and distributes new and secondhand bras to third world countries as well as indigenous communities in the NT.

"It is not just a matter of comfort for these women. There are medical issues as well including back problems and skin diseases particularly for those who are doing hard manual labour."

Check out Uplift Bras and the good work they do.

So in the keeping up with the crazy season and borrowing a quote from Damien Hirst "it's not me but the drink speaking", I asked my girlfriends if they had any unwanted bras they could give me. Given that I am the so-called "hippie" of the bunch, I had to explain they weren't for me... whether they believe me, we'll see come time we exchange chrissy gifts!

Auction for Gifts & Promises - Orphfund

As mentioned in a past entry, I am a great supporter of grassroots charity Orphfund.

Next week, Orphfund will be holding their biggest fundraising event of the year. It takes place in Melbourne on 10th June @ 7.30pm at Rose St Artist Market, Fitzroy. I am pretty sure it will be a great night of entertainment, awareness raising and fun with funds going towards their forthcoming project in Uganda. Rose Street shopping on a Thursday night, how can one say no?! We luv rose street!!

Orphfund - giving aid a good name

Several months back, I purchased this photo block, which now sits on my dashboard for everyone to see! I fell in love with this image as it sends a powerful message and gives a simple solution to the world’s problems.

This image and many other inspirational images are works from small grass roots charity Orphfund. Orphfund works within remote communities in some of the world's poorest countries. It is run by volunteers with all proceeds going towards helping communities living in poverty.

So if you ever think of giving a charitable gift, consider Orphfund rather than big charities who seem to have forgotten why they came into existence in the first place.

* you can't see it properly but top left corner is an image of the Berlin wall with the quote "the world is too small for walls" graffitied onto it. Luv it.