CRP Founder Returns to Medford

Mary Madsen, 12.11.2009 05:15

Sasha Crow, co-director of Collateral Repair Project, has spent the last 5 months working among the Iraqi refugee community in Amman, Jordan. She returns to Medford on Nov 13th to report back to the community and fundraise for CRP.

Iraqi refugee children, Amman, Jordan

SPECIAL HOLIDAY PASHMINA BAZAAR benefiting Collateral Repair Project:
Headwaters Gallery, 84 Fourth St, Ashland, November 21st from 12 to 3 pm.

A major source of Collateral Repair Project’s funds last year came from our Holiday and Mother’s Day Pashmina Bazaars and we have high hopes for this event again for this season. Sasha returns from Amman with a case of over 100 of these exquisite shawls, purchased in the souks of Amman from her favorite shop keepers.
These beautiful shawls come in a variety of designs and colors for the amazingly low price of only $20. They’re a perfect accessory for special holiday events and for holiday gift-giving. The proceeds from the sale will help fund Collateral Repair Project programs.
This was Sasha’s 4th stint in Amman, which she has come to consider her “real” home. But this last stay was remarkably different from the others. The global economic downturn had its effects on CRP, as it has across the board. It’s been a challenging year.
To adapt to the challenges, CRP had to make some hard decisions. We’ve temporarily cut back on micro-projects because of the high cost of much of the equipment needed for micro-projects. Instead, we are focusing on emergency assistance and providing milk for children. These are areas in which Iraqi refugees are in greatest need as they fall deeper into poverty and despair.
Most recently, we’ve partnered with a local training center to provide Skills Training courses in basic computer skills, computer hardware/software maintenance, and secretarial courses - all at very reasonable prices. These classes will potentially lead to greater opportunities toward self support, especially for those who will be resettled to a third country or return to Iraq. Perhaps just as important, they will give refugees a relief from days of living in limbo and increasing despair and increase their self-image as they learn new skills. Internet cafes are plentiful in Amman and these basic skills will also allow them to be in touch with family members distanced by national borders or continents.
Our Holiday Pashmina Bazaar will help fund these important programs. We invite all to join us on Nov 21 at Headwaters Gallery to do some holiday shopping, talk with Sasha to learn first-hand about our work in Amman and support a local grassroots organization.
For more information email Mary Madsen at  mrymads@charter.net
www. http://collateralrepairproject.org

e-mail:: mrymads@charter.net
Homepage:: http://collateralrepairproject.org

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