Quick Report

Two things:


1) Thank you to everyone who helped make Ask-Design-Mom-Week so much fun. I loved seeing dozens of brilliant ideas submitted by clever readers. There are still 2 or 3 questions that I haven't added my own two cents to, but I'll try as I have a few minutes here and there . . .


2) As I mentioned earlier, Friday morning I attended a fundraising breakfast at the UN for Rescue a Million. I learned a bunch. Initially, I was a bit confused by the group's focus on both children and the environment (do gooding based on PC?) but it was explained that by adding the environmental component — having in-need communities planting and harvesting fast-growing hardwood trees — that more funds became available for the children. I thought it was an interesting approach.

Also, apparently micro loans are typically offered only to the marginally poor — people who have once had a job but have fallen on hard times — who have some basic marketable skills. But one organization that presented at the breakfast was setting up micro loans with the poorest of the poor — the leper communities in India — with great success. I was really impressed.

Plus, it was lovely and interesting to be at the UN building. I had never had opportunity to visit before. Adorning the walls throughout the complex are art pieces donated by UN Nations and representative of those Nations. I wish I'd had more time to explore.