Monday 8 March 2010 is the United Nation’s International Women’s Day.  ”The fight for women’s rights is central to the UN’s global mission.” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Click here to check out the video on the UN website.

During our visit to Manado, Indonesia we witnessed the efforts of many women as they worked long tiring days to find extra money to help support their families. They ran kiosks, cooked and sold satay in the market, chopped fruit salad to sell on the street corner and collected rubbish at the local tip. Women were often the entrepreneurs of the family, not just making ends meet, but finding ingenious ways of saving money in the event of a child requiring a visit to the doctor or some other unplanned expenditure.

For some women the story is not always as positive. There are numerous stories we’ve been told of forced labor, rape, abuse, inequality and sexual violence in war.

We stand by and support the UN in it’s efforts to insure the safety and equality of women all around the world.

The Manly Council have given us the opportunity to promote and sell Love in Action at their event to promote International Women’s Day which will be held at the Manly Library on Monday 8 March 2010. All proceeds from the sale of Love in Action will be donated to Manly-Manado. Money raised will be given to the Compassion Child Survival Program. The program assists pregnant women, at-risk babies and infants and their mothers and caregivers by providing critical interventions, such as medical assistance, pre-natal and post-natal care, and nutritious food. For further information visit the Compassion website.

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For the fourth consecutive year, Hannah Phillips (14 yrs old) and her family from Balgowlah Heights put on a wonderful display of Christmas Lights at their home.  Hannah was supported by her family and talked to passersby about the community partnership between Manly and Manado. During this time, Hannah collected over $1,000 which will be used to support families through the micro loan program with Bridge of Hope.

Some people commented that they came back to see Hannah this year as they had fond memories of from last year.

A big thank you to Hannah and her family for the wonderful Christmas Lights display.  We are all looking forward to the Christmas Lights in 2010!