WHEN WE THINK OF WELLNESS, we most often think of physical wellness. At Speakwell, we believe there are other kinds of wellness such as financial wellness and community or global wellness. To that end we are including a financial section in each issue along with some very worthwhile causes under the heading of "Global Wellness" that we invite you to consider. Take a look at each one and decide if there is something you could throw your support behind.
« The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually. » :: Greg Anderson
Hooked – Changing the world, one stitch at a time
by Kohl Crecelius Seattle, Washington
MY OLDER BROTHER PARC is athletic and outgoing. Surfing, skating, snowboarding—you name it and he's stoked. So when he came home from college break a few years back and I caught him crocheting a hat I wondered what was up. Was my cool brother really crocheting? "How'd you learn to do that?" I asked.
"A bunch of people are crocheting at school. You should try it; it's fun." I'd always thought everything my older brother did was cool. Maybe he was on to something—so I gave it a try.
Step by step Parc taught me how to make a beanie—a small brimless cap lots of surfers wear. Its interlocking stitches looked daunting. But you know what? After I battled through a few slipknots, I was hooked!
At first I was so addicted I made five beanies a day. It wasn't long before my friends Travis Hartanov and Stewart Ramsey caught me in the act. Like Parc, we loved the outdoors. We grew up wakeboarding and surfing whenever we had the chance. Now I was crocheting, but I wasn't worried what they'd think. I had a feeling they'd get hooked too.
"Guys, check out these sweet hats I made," I said. "You've gotta try this." They admitted it looked cool, and were excited to learn. Before long the three of us hung out in my basement, crocheting, churning out dozens of beanies. "What are we going to do with all these?" I asked.
"Let's take them to school and sell them," said Trav. Thirty orders came in the first day! Our classmates requested all types of beanies. We honed our skills and were quickly dubbed the Krochet Kids.
After graduation, the three of us went to different schools. I headed to the University of Washington and Trav and Stew to Vanguard in California. Will we keep up this crocheting thing? I wondered.
Our first year of college we crocheted now and then, but it took a back seat to classes. We decided to use our summer breaks to volunteer in different parts of the world. I traveled to the Dominican Republic to teach English and math, Trav helped an orphanage in Bali and Stew worked for a nonprofit in Uganda.
Volunteering in poverty-stricken areas opened our eyes. We came back itching to do more. Especially Stew. We met up in our hometown of Spokane.
"Guys, there's so much need outside of America," said Stew. Trav and I agreed.
"This might sound crazy," he continued, "but I think we should teach women in Uganda to crochet."
Uganda, Stew explained, was nearing the end of a 20-year civil war. Many women had lost husbands and were raising children alone in poverty.
"There aren't many jobs for them," he said. "Sewing is already a competitive trade. If we teach them to crochet for a living it will give them a marketable skill that sets them apart."
Trav and I agreed it was a great idea. We couldn't imagine how we'd make it happen, though. It was overwhelming.
I know-three college kids sitting around thinking they can make an impact with crochet needles and yarn. But the more we threw ideas around the more the pieces seemed to fit.
"It just feels like something we're meant to do," I said. We needed God's guidance to take this hobby to a new level. But still I wondered, Can three surf-loving guys use crocheting to change lives halfway around the world?
A few months later we secured the help of nine close friends. We drew up a business plan and filed paperwork to register Krochet Kids International » (our new moniker) as a nonprofit. We hoped to teach Ugandan women to crochet beanies and pay them a wage for their work that would allow them to provide for their families' daily needs, including education.
Their products would then be sold in the U.S. and all profits would be returned to their communities. We'd raised funds by crocheting beanies like mad and selling them at churches and events. We'd also sent letters to everyone we knew.
Last June, the 12 of us arrived in Gulu, Uganda—an area hit hard by the war. We had bags full of yarn, hooks and a lot of faith. As I made my way down the dusty streets I was struck by both the intense poverty as well as the friendliness of the people. Everywhere we went people waved and smiled. It was awesome.
After meeting with local leaders, we went to the community center to meet six women we were to teach to crochet. They were our test group, selected by the local organization helping us.
Most were young moms. They were refugees from the war and lived in a government-protected camp. Many worked at quarries for about a dollar a day.
"I can't believe we're here," I told Trav. He shot me a smile.
The women sat staring at us, smiling and eager to learn, but a little puzzled at what these surfer-looking guys from the U.S. were doing hanging out in their village. Each of us was paired with a woman and a translator. I was given Alice—a petite woman with a shy smile.
"Loop the yarn," I said. "Now pull it through the hook."
Alice was a natural. "Ber matek!" I cheered (which means "very good" in her language, Luo). Her first beanie was practically flawless.
"Check this out!" I called to the guys. They were psyched. A perfect beanie on the first day! To be honest, most of us were so choked up we had to leave the room for a minute.
The other women were all-stars too. One by one they produced great-looking hats. That was all the proof we needed. This was going to work!
Today Krochet Kids International » is a recognized nonprofit. We work hard to grow a cycle of empowerment and awareness.
When I think back to how this all began, I'm amazed at what we've accomplished. These women are now able to find a way out of poverty. It's inspiring, and I like to think we learn as much from them as they're learning from us, about the power of humans to pull ourselves out of any situation, as long as there is hope.
And I had my answer. Surf-loving guys can change lives halfway around the world. One stitch at a time.
ONLY ONE CLICK A DAY on a button at the Hunger Site » and you will freely have given someone in need a cup of food each time.
The Hunger Site was founded to focus the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need: the eradication of world hunger. Since its launch in June 1999 [this is its 9th Anniversary!], the site has established itself as a leader in online activism, helping to feed the world's hungry. On average, over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the yellow "Click Here to Give—it's FREE" button. To date, more than 300 million visitors have given more than 573 million cups of staple food.
STEVE NASH AND THE CITY OF VICTORIA are teaming up to build a culture, art, sports and reconciliation centre in Northern Uganda.
The project, led by the Victoria-based Steve Nash Foundation », will provide opportunity and healing for traumatized, impoverished youth, Nash said. Construction should begin next year.
"The youths of that community have experienced absolute horrors," said the 2005 and 2006 NBA MVP, speaking outside a basketball camp in Central Park. "We want to create a centre to give these youths the opportunity we're afforded."
The centre is still being planned, but will be built in Gulu, a district 332 kilometres north of the Ugandan capital of Kampala. The area has been the site of substantial fighting during the country's 21-year civil war, which has displaced over 90 per cent of the population.
Nash said Uganda is currently in a fragile truce, making it the ideal time to start assisting the war-torn communities.
"What the children there have experienced is absolutely terrible," Nash said. "It's a great time to get involved."
The foundation is still awaiting final budget estimates, but the centre could cost between $250,000 and $750,000, said executive director Jenny Miller. The project is a partnership between the foundation and Athletes in Africa, an international program that helps professional athletes assist African development.
When finished, the centre will provide free basketball, soccer and other sports equipment, art materials, classes and one-on-one counseling.
"We will focus on providing whatever the community wants and needs," Miller said. "Through these, hopefully we will be able to help with healing – what the centre is really all about."
Victoria's contribution is still being determined, said Mayor Alan Lowe, who first learned about the project two months ago. Lowe said the city will investigate how it can help, potentially offering financial support and organizing fundraisers.
Nash said he expected Victoria residents would rally behind the project.
"The city has so many unselfish people who are like-minded," he said. "We have a lot of planning to do, but we're excited to announce we have this vision. It's going to be exciting to see what the city comes up with."
BEING FINANCIALLY WELL not only involves meeting your needs today, but also ensuring that you will have enough funds to meet your needs in the future. If you ever have aspirations of retiring, then you will have to save some of what you earn today for down the road.
Past generations have been much better at saving for the future than recent generations. This discipline was in no doubt developed by some difficult economic times that these previous generations had to endure. But in today's times of prosperity the discipline of saving has largely slipped away. Our consumer driven mentality of buy now and pay later, leaves many individuals unprepared for retirement; forcing them to take more drastic measures or greater risks to achieve their same goals.
In order to prepare yourself for the future, you will need to build enough assets to provide you with a paycheque when you stop working. Understanding a few key concepts will help you on your way.
The Power of Compounding
If I offered to work for you for 30 days starting at a penny per day, but you had to double my wage each day (1 cent on the first day, 2 cents on the second day, 4 cents on the third day, and so on), would you hire me?
If you answered "NO WAY!" then you understand the power of compounding. For those who would hire me, you would end up paying me a total of $10,737,418.23 over 30 days. Not bad for a month's worth of work!
It is important to understand that the greatest impact on the end result is the amount of time that the money has to compound. On my 10th day of work I would have only made $5.12. On my 20th day of work I would have made $5,242.88. But on my 30th day of work I would have made $5,368, 709.12! Half of my total pay for the entire month would be made on the very last day.
Therefore, the earlier you start to save for retirement, even if a modest amount, the more years your money will have to compound, and the better off you will be.
Pay Yourself First
For most investors the most effective way of reaching their goals is some method of forced savings. Look for ways to have your investment dollars deducted at source from your pay, or from your bank account on pay day. By paying yourself first you can be sure that you are investing on a consistent basis and you can feel good about spending the rest.
Get Tough with the Taxman
Taxes are often one of the biggest impediments to accumulating real wealth. By reducing your tax burden you will have more money to save. Meet with your accountant to make sure that you are taking full advantage of the various deductions and tax saving measures that are available to you. Registered Retirement Savings Plans, using tax-deductible investment loans and the new Tax-Free Savings Account available beginning in 2009 are all great ways of reducing your taxes. Finally, when you do find ways to reduce your taxes, don't spend the tax savings by enhancing your lifestyle. Instead use your refund from the government to enhance your savings.
Remember, the longer you have to invest, the easier it will become to reach your goals. By paying yourself first you are making your financial wellness a top priority. Lastly, by reducing your tax burden you will be able to free up thousands of dollars over your working years to assist in securing your financial future. As the saying goes "money won't buy you happiness", but it will provide you with more choices. I'm sure you would agree that in retirement having choices about where you live, where you travel, dealing with possible health issues and how you can help your children and favourite charities are all great choices to have.
David Mason is a financial advisor in Victoria, BC. His practice is focused on retirement and estate planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner and Registered Health Underwriter. He can be reached at david@donnellyadvisors.com ».
"This might sound crazy," he continued, "but I think we should teach women in Uganda to crochet."
"Loop the yarn," I said. "Now pull it through the hook."
»
It is important to understand that the greatest impact on the end result is the amount of time that the money has to compound. On my 10th day of work I would have only made $5.12. On my 20th day of work I would have made $5,242.88. But on my 30th day of work I would have made $5,368, 709.12! Half of my total pay for the entire month would be made on the very last day.
