International Womens Day and Cool Humanitarian #2!

There are two ways of spreading light ...To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.~ Edith Wharton

About a month ago I put out my 40 before 40 list and slowly but surly I have been looking at my goals and trying to sort out plans...So despite the crazy cold that seems destined to continue on for months I have decided to tackle the goal that will see me spending the most time outdoors, training for a half marathon! Last week I signed up for the Chicago 1/2 which is in Sept, I figured that the weather might be similar there at that time so as to not stress my body too much (insert sarcasm here). SO this week a plan has been formulated, schedules drawn up and long johns pulled from the closet and a cause found..yes a cause..I'd like to introduce the second cool humanitarian and hopefully a beneficiary of any funds I can raise in my attempt to accomplish my goal!!


When I went to Haiti for the first time in March I was 35 years old and although I have travelled to different places over the world this was my first real medical trip to a third world country... Sarah Wallace is 24, she has lived in the seaside town of Jacmel,Haiti since she was 21. Sarah had travelled to Haiti as a younger girl and decided it was where she needed to be. She came home to Alberta, got her education in mid-wifery and returned to Haiti to live and work amongst the Haitian people...now I'm not sure about you but at the age of 21 I was having the time of my life, working (in a bar), going to school (taking my BA), living with 2 other girlfriends and basically having a fantastic time. I know in life it takes different amounts of time for each person to find their calling, passion (if they ever do) and even then it may take years to actually follow the steps/roads that let us fulfill that passion..that's what is so amazing about Sarah to me.

She's living her passion, her dream....

Sarah's organization is called Olive Tree Projects. Her primary purpose is to provide excellent care to expectant mothers. It is been proven that providing women with pre and post natal care greatly improves the lives of the mothers and babies which in turn improves the health and vitality of families which in turn improves the community as a whole which in turn..you get the picture...


In addition to her midwife duties she runs a nutrition program teaching mothers of malnourished children while helping them provide nutritional supplements for the children while monitoring their growth. This past year she has started a girls soccer team (to hopefully help reduce the incidence of teen pregnancies) and she also has a boys work group (for boys 10-18) that make crafts to sell with the boys receiving 50% of the profits and having 50% put into savings until they finish school. Her website is here and I have completely enjoyed reading her blog. http://www.olivetreeprojects.com/about/

And all this at the age of 24!! Sarah does all this through donations and is in my opinion a living example of passion and dedication..

Such maturity and love from such a young women... amazing really, inspiring definitely! So I have been inspired to get my butt in gear and out of bed on those freezing mornings to hopefully benefit this young women and the people she serves!
I will run the half marathon and am asking anyone wanting/willing to help sponsor me and in turn sponsor Sarah and the people of Jacmel I would so appreciate it.

As things come together I will pass on information about donations etc. Olive Tree Projects are registered in both Canada and the States so tax reciepts will be able to be issued... stay tuned.

Oh this 100 Anniversary of International Womens Day I am so excited to be helping a fellow women in the struggle...