I first met Nazzy Amin in a hostel in London when I had arrived to start my master’s program. She was in the city for a few days attending a conference for work. As we talked, we discovered that we had both attended CSW earlier that year. I am an introvert who tends to be…
Long before having kids, I dreamed of taking them on a humanitarian trip. I have always loved the idea of combining service with travel–two of my favorite things. This last January, that dream came true. After months of thinking and planning, I found myself with my husband (who would rather enjoy the comforts of home),…
Watch these two interviews of Chantal Carr, co-founder of Hope Arising, an organization that helps women achieve self reliance through micro loans and business training in Dera, Ethiopia.
Here are some suggestions on preserving religious freedoms that have been condensed into a few categories that cottage leaders can explore further. Have a strong knowledge: In private and personal ways, learn and live your religion and or belief system well. Have a wellspring of knowledge that is easily accessible to you – like an…
Our Big Ocean Women Arizona cottage put together a wonderful video about a recent service project they did making and delivering newborn kits.
In each of our lives there are seasons of plenty and seasons of paucity. For Hayley Smith, a lengthy season of illness and pain led her to knowledge and experiences that prepared her for an abundant life of service. Through her organization, Lifting Hands International, launched in February 2016, Hayley extends aid to individuals and…
Four years ago, Rachael Haberman looked at her mother on the way home from a puberty class and asked a question. “Mom, what do women and girls do if they can’t afford to buy these things (pads)?” “I didn’t have an answer,” her mother, April Haberman said, continuing, “and honestly, I had never thought…
Claudia Bretzing has been a wonderful friend of mine for many years. Not only is she in my church congregation, but eight years ago, while she was going through cancer treatment, she was my son’s second grade teacher. Claudia is a petite, pretty woman who lights up when surrounded with children. I’d watched her for years…
Megan Gibson lobbied in Washington for childhood cancer funding, raised over $1,000 making and selling goodies for a young cancer victim, and rallied people to donate blood. She also quietly took out the garbage for a busy neighbor. Those things are commendable on their own, but she did them while her own son, JP, battled…
Last month, we shared an article about Grizelda Grootboom who had escaped from sex trafficking and wrote the book Exit. You can read her story here. This month we continue with a series of questions and her responses. What challenges do you continue to face? Relationships are hard. When guys find out they make assumptions. Either they…