Chat Noir Photographie

Global Daughter is so proud of everyone associated with this project and we want to make sure that they are recognized as part of the team! We are very fortunate to have photographer and all-around sparkly saint, Kerrigan Swan-Garcia, shooting our products. We fell in love with her work and asked if she could help us coordinate the visual aspects of Global Daugther's products. From the beginning she has been so gracious with her time and talent- we look forward to one day bringing her with us around the world to capture the spirit and life of GD women artisans.

Let us introduce you to this amazingly loving and creative woman. In her own words....

Life is funny; sometimes we come full circle in ways we do not expect. Over 15 years ago (geez!) I was very actively involved with Riot Grrrl and one of the many things that drew me to the “modern feminist movement” was the aspect of women supporting and encouraging other women instead of believing that we must always be in competition with one another and/or put each other down to get ahead in business, life, and relationships.

After some brushes with death and experiencing numerous serious health concerns at a fairly young age, I struggled with the knowledge that I would leave no legacy upon my passing. Through photography, I strive to find beauty in unusual places and leave something beautiful behind in my wake.

There is so much in this world that is over-looked in every day life… the way sun glints off kitty whiskers after they lap up water, the inherent grace and symmetry of light and shadow underneath a rusty old Northern Pacific Railway car, the careful expression and deliberately emotive care in memorial statuary. These are the moments I endeavor to capture in hopes that someone else might feel a stirring in their soul or find comfort in a lonely time through my pictures. I truly believe that there is beauty and wonder all around us – if we are wise enough to see.

Kerrigan's work has recently been featured in "Capture El Paso" a collection of photographs representing the city's landscapes. She has also been a finalist in National Geographic's 2008 International Photo Contest for an amazing portrait.



Kerrigan signing her photo featured in the "Capture El Paso" photography book at the release party in Texas. (Available now at Barnes and Noble)

Enjoy some samples of Kerrigan's work...






For more information about Chat Noir Photographie or to view galleries and purchase prints, please go to: http://www.chatnoirphotographie.com/

Killer.

Photo: The New York Times

Coffin makers report an increase in sales. With the cholera spilling into neighboring countries, and millions of people enduring severe hunger, there are rising international calls for Mr. Mugabe to step down after 28 years in power. But he seems only to be digging in and even declared Thursday that the nation's cholera epidemic had ended, a day after the World Health Organization warned that the outbreak was grave enough to carry "serious regional implications."

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/12/11/world/20081212CHOLERA_index.htmll

Global "little" Brother

Our "bai," or, little brother, Nabin is a seven year old boy whose mother used to care for the house we lived in here in Nepal. He is a very special person and was a big motivation for us during the development of this project.

His family has nothing. They live in a house the size of a bathroom, but they make do and smile all the while. He is going to school, which is the most important thing, but a child in America could never imagine living his life. He has only a few toys, most used and dirty. He does have an electronic robot toy which he has worn out a million times over. He likes his robot, but mostly him and his little neighborhood buddies play with bricks, or stones and jump around on piles of dirt.

They come up with the most amazing inventions to entertain themselves, as TV and video games are not an option. One day we saw them pick up some used old plastic rope and tie it onto a brick and they hauled that brick around making designs in the sand for hours. It was so heart-warming. I guess kids are kids everywhere, but some are more fortunate than others. The innocence is pure love.

Anyway, he is part of our family so we decided to collect a few things to give him as presents. We shipped over a package and last week I delivered it to him at the old house. He had a heart attack when he saw the shiny micro-cars. I gave him one of those cars about a year ago, and while some kids may have lost it or thrown it out, it was still sitting on the table, dented, discolored and in all kinds of bad shape. When he saw three new cars to add to his collection he literally started jumping up and down (on a single bed, shared by three people).

His mom was almost in tears at his joy and her unspoken gratefulness brought tears to my eyes as well. He got a few warm jackets, jumpers, pants and a pair of shoes. The shoes are too big for him, but he put them on and pranced around the compound like a prince.

We included some chocolate-which ended up mostly on face- some eggs and bread- so he can have a hearty breakfast- and orange juice- because he never gets to drink it, but drank gallons of it at our house! He was thrilled to get a pack of crayons and a few coloring books and workbooks as well. Something tells me those crayons will get worn down to little nubs by the time his attention is lost.

Erika also printed out several pictures that we had taken while living there of Nabin and his family, friends, and sisters (the Global Daughters). They were the very first print photographs for Nabin so he was thrilled. He kept pointing to himself and Erika and laughing. "Erika sister! Erika sister!"

We really have love for this little boy and wish everything in the world that is sweet, happy and good for him and his family. We are so happy that he is getting an education and hope that we will be in the position in the future to make sure that he continues through high school, college, and beyond. He is a shining star, really. We are both better people for having met him and can't wait to see him grow up and share himself with the world.

We would like to thank the people that contributed generously to his package, our Global Sister and biggest supporter, Brianna and our close friend and favorite mama, Suzanne.

Thank you for putting an even bigger smile on Nabin's already bright face!

Playing with the new sticker workbook.

Licking chocolatey lips

Outside the house

yummy!

New digs!

Visit us at the Holiday Bazaar!

Global Daughter will be at the "Tyee Holiday Bazaar" from 9AM-4PM Saturday, December 6th.

The address is:

Tyee Educational Complex 4424 South 188th St Seattle, WA 98188

We will be offering holiday discounts on Christmas ornaments, silver jewelry, shopping bags and more! We hope you will give a gift that tells a story this year!

Traveling or Moving to Nepal Anytime Soon?

I woke up to find this dire-toned warning in my inbox. Erin and I registered with the US Embassy in Nepal so they would know where to find us if something big ever went down.

Travel Warning United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Washington, DC 20520

NEPAL November 21, 2008

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Nepal and urges caution when traveling in country. The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans on short notice. This replaces the Travel Warning for Nepal dated May 7, 2008 and updates safety and security information following the formation of the coalition government in August, 2008.

Despite the recent smooth transition of government, some unrest remains. The Young Communist League (YCL), a Maoist Party subgroup, continues to engage in extortion, abuse, and threats of violence, particularly in rural areas. Youth groups from the other two main political parties, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the United Marxist-Leninist Party (UML), have also formed and clashes continue among these political rivals. Violent actions by multiple armed splinter groups in the Terai region along the southern border with India remain a significant concern.

While protests and pre-election localized bombing incidents have decreased, demonstrations and disruptions still occur. During demonstrations, protestors have used violence, including damaging vehicles, throwing rocks, and burning tires to block traffic. Given the nature, intensity, and unpredictability of disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel, and maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with little or no advance notice.

Crime in the Kathmandu Valley, including violent crime and harassment of women, continues to rise. Police resources to combat such crime are limited. Police have reported a number of robberies by armed gangs, sometimes resulting in injury to the victims. The U.S. Embassy reports an increase in crime in some popular tourist areas such as Pokhara and the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Visitors to Nepal should practice good personal security when moving about, especially at night, and avoid walking alone after dark, carrying large sums of cash, or wearing expensive jewelry. In several reported incidents tourists have had their belongings stolen from their rooms while they were asleep. Solo trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men, even on some popular trails. Some Young Communist League members extort money from foreign tourists along some popular trekking routes, and have threatened physical violence to Nepalis and non-Nepalis alike for violating localized strikes.

Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley is hazardous due to erratic drivers and frequent road accidents. Public transportation, such as microbuses and tuk tuks, should be avoided because they are often overfilled, driven unsafely, and mechanically unsound. American citizens should use taxis with meters or negotiate a price with the taxi driver before starting a trip.

Most U.S. official travel outside the Kathmandu Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. As a result, The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty U.S. military and Department of Defense contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and personal travel to Nepal.

The U.S. Government’s designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization under Executive Order 13224 and its inclusion on the “Terrorist Exclusion List” pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States without a waiver and bar U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists.

SKETCHING HUMAN RIGHTS ART EXHIBIT

Jerry Robinson

USA

This collection of 69 thought-provoking cartoons, 22 of which are displayed below, illustrates the meaning of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and conveys the importance of upholding the human rights and fundamental freedoms set forth in its 30 articles.

Images are powerful and as history has taught us, images are power. An image can tell a story in a way that cuts through all the filler and gets right to the heart of our 'universal history book.' The images below are uncomfortable, intense, sharp and above all else, a symbol of our human rights in and of themselves. Most of these artists "know their rights" and their work attempts to put a voice to the billions of people on this planet who do not even know their basic human rights.

These images pose a question- who is responsible? And the uncomfortable and unmistakable answer is: you. me. us. We are all responsible for each other when it comes to defending human rights. We are responsible as human beings to uphold the rights that we all share, no matter what side of the world we live on, what faith we choose to follow, or what role we play in our societies. We must protect those who can not protect themselves and stand up for those who can not stand alone. 

Look at the images, swirl them around in your mind and ask your own questions- to your governments, your leaders, your societies. You might not get answers- or answers you like- but as these images display, those who seek and expose truth and injustice give the greatest power to the story of human rights.

(click on images to enlarge)

Jonathan Shapiro

South Africa

Felipe Galindo

USA

Jugoslav Vlahovic

Serbia

Tayo Fatunia

Nigeria

Starvo Jabra

Lebanon

Serguei Goizauskas

France

Peter Schrank

Ireland

Finn Graff

Norway

Roar Hagen

Norway

Marco De Angelis

Italy

Heiko Sakari

Germany

Dusan Petricic

Canada

Vladimir Motchalov

Russian Federation

Dengcoy Miel 

Singapore

Medi Belortaja

Albania

Bruno Liberati

Brazil

Kostas Mitropoulos

Greece

Javad Alizadeh

Iran

Ewert Karisson

Sweden

Dale Cummings

Canada

Wolfgang Ammer

Austria

*For more information on the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to download the Declaration or to learn more about the cartoon exhibit, go to: 

http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/udhr60/declaration.shtml

World AIDS Day 2008

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.

Take Action

There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS:

-get tested for HIV
-practice safe methods to prevent HIV
-decide not to engage in high risk behaviors
-talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues
-provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS
-get involved with or host an event for World AIDS Day in your community

**For more information on Worlds AIDS Day or to learn more about prevention, risks and awareness campaigns, go to http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/index.html

First National GD Fair Trade Party!

We are very pleased to announce that Global Daughter has gone National! We had our first Fair Trade Party in Fort Wayne, Indiana courtesy of Joan and Adam. They reported an amazing turnout and response to the product and the story behind it. We are looking forward to expanding our parties throughout the US, and thanks to Joan and Adam it seems like this could be a very successful endevour for women right here at home.
If you are interested in becoming a Global Daughter Consultant please contact Erika at erika@globaldaughter.com

Thanks again to Joan, Adam, Amanda, and Fort Wayne for your support!

The Display


Global Son??


The Hostess Joan put out quite a spread!

Filling out their orders.

Trouble deciding? Take them all!

Erin's Scooty Mishap

Another pain med?? Sure.

That is shock, not happiness.

Recently Erin took quite a nasty tumble on her scooter ride in Pokhara. Luckily her brother, Tony, was there to help her out. Erin still had to make the hour drive, in shock, to the nearest medical facility to get stitches.

Back in Kathmandu Erin tried to see her doctor to tend to the wound. Unfortunately, there was a riot that day and a burning bus in front of the hospital so she could not make the appointment. Two days later she went in and they discovered that her wound had become infected in the bone and that she would require surgery. She had it done immediately with several friends there to help her through it. We are hopeful that even though Nepal is not renowned for their medical services that the recovery will go smoothly.

This Thanksgiving, Erin will be laid up in her bed recovering, so please keep her in your thoughts.

Trafficking is Real.

Women and Girl's Trafficking in Nepal is a prevalent practice throughout the country. Girls are literally plucked from small villages as their parents are promised that they will have a prosperous future "working abroad." Some parents believe that their daughters will find domestic work in India, but some know they will enter the sex trade in major Indian cities. The girls, too, are scammed by "traders" into thinking they will find employment and wealth in the big city. Most are uneducated and desperate and they are taken advantage of by people who have no conscious or humanity.

It is a sad reality for poor families in disadvantaged corners of Nepal. Girls are often seen as a burden for parents- some would rather have them "disappear" than feed and take care of them. So they send them to their fate in back alleys and brothels in India. Here they are abused, raped and treated like animals. They are alone, scared and literally trapped.

Many anti-trafficking organizations based in Kathmandu are working to recover missing girls and rehab those that have been exposed to the sex trade in the past. They perform undercover-type activities to catch sex traders and infiltrate trafficking networks. In some operations, the organizations set out to stop tourist buses and micro vans that come from Nepal and cross the border into India.

One of the producers we work with in a border city to the West relayed to me this story a few days ago. He was on a bus from Kathmandu to the border and about 5KM before the border check area, the bus was stopped by a group of women literally in the middle of the road. They boarded the bus and showed papers that proved they were with Maiti Nepal, one of the most well-known anti-trafficking organizations. They demanded to see ID papers from all those on the bus. They said they were checking for girls who were being trafficked into India. As they checked everyone, they discovered that a man was on board with two young girls, who were neither his daughters nor family members. The girls were questioned outside the bus and it came out that they had been taken from their village a few days earlier by this man who promised to find them work in Calcutta. The man was taken into custody and the girls were escorted back to Maiti Nepal headquarters in Kathmandu for observation and counseling.

When I was hearing this story it gave me chills. This NGO has taken the initiative to attack a problem that the government has been unable to address. And in doing so, they have highlighted the immense need for continued efforts by the government to end this appalling human rights violation. The laws against traffickers are too lenient and the money that changes hands in the web of the sex trade industry in Nepal is the dirtiest money around. People are paid off, families are lied to by both authorities and traffickers, and at the end of the day, girls are still vanishing.

Initiatives taken by Maiti and other NGOs are hopeful. The rehabilitation programme at Mathi is famous. Women staying in the Center even produce handicrafts as a way to earn a living wage. Global Daughter is in touch with the Center and will more than likely be selling a few of their products on-line soon. Supporting this group means saying "no" to sexual exploitation and saying "yes" to empowerment. It is not enough to rehabilitate their spirit, we must offer them a new way of life. By becoming a working artisan, they are given the opportunity to retain stable employment and appropriately integrate back into society. The Center encourages women to be financially secure by teaching them a variety of income generating skills.

We look forward to being associated with this group and joining the fight against domestic violence, trafficking for flesh trade, child prostitution, child labor and forms of exploitation and torture.

For more information about Maiti Nepal, please visit their website at: http://www.maitinepal.org/pages.php?option=About%20Us

Sewing Machine Project Update

In the past two months Global Daughter has been able to raise the funds to purchase two sewing machines for our women producers at the Janakpur Arts and Crafts Center. In a shopping trip with our lead designer, Lanjana, and co-owner of the Center, Ajit, we decided on an electric sewing machine and a foot peddle "fashion maker." Lanjana was very excited to have a new and modern machine- especially the fashion maker which will allow for better finishing work and detail.

Both machines were presented in Janakpur to the workshop's manager, Rina. Due to major flooding in the area, GD could not attend the ceremony to bless the sewing machines. We did, however, receive a letter from Rina thanking us and our contributors for the new additions. She said they look forward to beginning work with the machines as soon as possible.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the project by either purchasing a GD signature shopping bag or donating funds. We were overwhelmed by the out pour of support for the cause and will be extending the project so that we can purchase more supplies for the center in the future.

The success of this project inspires us to find new ways to assist women artisans and provide them with the tools to be successful. Stay tuned to learn what new GD project you can be a part of!

On behalf of Global Daughter and the woman at JAC, thank you for making a difference....one stitch at a time.

*A very special thanks to Kerry Clark of Federal Way and to the Auburn Soroptomist Group for their extremely generous donations.

Purchase your "I am a Global Daughter" shopping bag today to join the Sewing Machine Project...

Find a GD Holiday Event Near You!

This season don't just give a gift....tell a story.

Please visit us at one of the events listed below this holiday season to pick up your handmade-fair trade gifts. With prices starting as low as $5 you don't have to worry about going over your limit and you can still make a purchase that matters!

Thursday, November 20th
Holiday Magic Chat Party, Seattle
The Fairview Club
2022 Boren Ave. Seattle 98121
6PM-9PM
Tickets: $44.00 per person. Includes appetizers, wine and shopping. No-host bar provided. Please visit http://www.chatwithwomen.com/ for your ticket or more information.

Saturday, November 22nd
Rock Creek Shopping Parade, Maple Valley
Rock Creek Housing Community
Start Time: 10AM (All Day Event)
*This is an event put on by Rock Creek Community. There will be open houses with a wide range of gift items for sale. Please email erika@globaldaughter.com for Global Daughter's specific address at this event.

Saturday, November 29th
Holiday Open House, Kirkland
10AM-8PM
*Please join us for food, shopping, special holiday discounts, and fun for an all day open house. Please email erika@globaldaughter.com for more details.

Saturday, December 6th
Tyee Holiday Bazaar, Sea Tac
4424 S. 188th St Sea Tac, 98188
9AM-4PM
*Sponsored by DECA, this is a great opportunity to pick up some unique gifts from local crafters and of course Global Daughter!

In addition to these events, Global Daughter is continuing to throw Fair Trade House Parties. If you are interested in hosting a party, please contact Erika. The hostess will receive a free gift in addition to 50% of any item.

Our online boutique, www.globaldaughter.com is also a great place to do your holiday shopping. Between now and the holidays spend $150 or more and receive free shipping!

We hope to see you at one of our events! Thanks to everyone for their continued support of Global Daughter.

Nepal-India Treaty Needed to Curb Trafficking

This from Nepal Kantipur Report:

KATHMANDU, Nov 5 - It is not possible to provide justice to survivors of trafficking and to punish traffickers unless there is a bilateral treaty between Nepal and India, a regional conference concluded.

"Countries in South Asia should have a common legal standard to trace and punish traffickers," said Sabin Shrestha, an advocate associated with Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD). "For Nepal, special bilateral treaty with India is a must to combat human trafficking."
He said this at the Regional Meeting for Media, Lawyers and Professionals organised by United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

According to Shrestha, Nepal is the country of origin and India is the major destination of human trafficking. The current agreements between the two countries do not include human trafficking. As a result, it is very difficult to produce adequate proof to punish traffickers.

"Only brokers are getting punishment not those who buy our Nepali people," Shrestha said. "If there is proper extradition treaty or common standard legal provision, it would be easy to punish both brokers and buyers involved in human trade."

According to him, till date, evidences documented in India are not accepted as proof in Nepal. For example if an NGO rescues a Nepali woman from an Indian brothel, Nepali authorities do not take this as proof.

There should be a record of those leaving for India and coming from India, which would make it easier to trace traffickers, he said.

Due to lack of sufficient proof, legal protection and support mechanism as well as social stigma and threats from traffickers, survivors of trafficking do not register their case with the police. He also said that the very few incidences of conviction have deterred survivors.

According to one study carried out by FWLD, only in about 33 percent of the registered cases is there a conviction.

International Labor Organization estimates that about 12,000 women and children are trafficked from Nepal every year. However, police records show that during 2006/07 only 112 cases of trafficking were filed with the police, while the number during 2005/06 was 97 and it was 72 in the year 2004/05.

Aruna Thapa of UNIFEM said that SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, 2002, also has provisioned for bilateral treaty. "But this has not been followed up, due to which traffickers go scot-free as Nepali authorities cannot take action against Indian criminals involved in human trafficking and Indian authorities cannot punish Nepali traffickers," said Thapa.

It's Time For a Change!

The Word is Spreading....

Global Daughter was featured in this week's Business Examiner. We invite you to read the article below:


Global Daughter aims for worldwide focus on foreign exports
10/27/2008
Source: Business Examiner
Author: Breanne Coats

There are numerous Web sites that sell unique products to customers online. There are also numerous female advocacy sites on the Web as well. What two Auburn natives felt was missing, though, was a combination of these two types of sites.

Global Daughter works with Nepali women designers, painters, tailors, master cutters and jewelers on a regular basis to create products that the business can then sell to Western consumers.

Owners Erika Mosebach and Erin Miller started Global Daughter to empower working women in Nepal. They are in charge of the Web site, www.globaldaughter.com, but all of the products that are sold through the Internet site are produced by women in the Himalayan mountains.
“We started from scratch and are trying to fine tune,” Mosebach said. “We want to give them all the tools to succeed.”

The company uses the phrase, “for women, by women, inspired by all women,” to promote its products.

The site features the following types of merchandise: jewelry, handbags, natural paper, home decor, organic tea and children’s products. From business cards, product tags and screening on merchandise, Mosebach said, women in Nepal not only make the products they sell, but also the various things they use to promote Global Daughter.

When shopping at places with “fair trade” products, Mosebach said, sometimes customers can't be sure if the businesses really are abiding by fair trade practices.

But with Global Daughter, people can rest assured, she said, since either she or her partner will actually be in Nepal helping the women get materials and paying them for their products directly.

In the future, Mosebach and Miller plan to expand Global Daughter to other countries. Their next stop will probably be Cambodia, Mosebach said.

Global Daughter started with Nepal because the two founders had a personal connection there and wanted to do something to help. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and the level of corruption there makes it even harder for money to trickle down to the regular citizens.
Global Daughter aims to get money directly into residents’ hands, specifically women, since they are often viewed as second-class citizens.
While the online boutique’s merchandise is made from products found in Nepal, Global Daughter does not try to make its products “scream Nepal.” Rather, Mosebach said, they are aiming to make their products more marketable in the United States.

The business has especially formed a close relationship with the artisans and management of Janakpur Arts and Crafts Center. This center provides clean working conditions, fair and reasonable working hours and wages. It also provides in-workshop meals to its women workers, according to Global Daughter.

To help get their business rolling, Mosebach has been hosting Global Daughter parties. She goes to people’s homes and shares the stories of its operations and the women it works with from Nepal. People can pay for and receive Global Daughter’s products at these parties.
“We’ve just had a great response,” Mosebach said. “Women love to get together and shop for a cause.”

While the two entrepreneurs do hope they can make some sort of living from the site, Mosebach said it is really more about making change in the lives of Nepali women.

Mosebach and Miller have to deal with a lot of unforeseen problems.

For example, the people in Nepal frequently go on strike. And when they do, no one works, which can stall the online retailer’s business.

Also, if one of the women who makes a particular product gets sick, Global Daughter may just have to go without that product until the woman-producer gets better.

Yet, these issues do not deter Mosebach and Miller from following through with their goals.
“The mission is to hopefully empower women worldwide to lift themselves out of poverty,” Mosebach said.