So, let's get the Lion's Den involved in this...

The day has arrived. It’s time to enlist.


Many of you have been introduced to the women of La Tienda. La Tienda ("the store") is a fair trade arts co-op for women located in the Dominican Republic. The women create originally designed items for sale. Beautiful jewellery, bags, candles, lip gloss, soap, paper and more. This co-op, lead by Rachel Sticklee, gives women of the village a way to sustain their own economy by creating gifts of beauty. Working at the Tienda enables these women to have enough money for rice and beans so that they and their children can eat everyday.
The Tienda however is not owned by the workers themselves. Often they are threatened of being kicked out of their place of work. If this happens their livelihoods are in serious jeopardy.





(La Tienda; inside the co-op)
edeva is taking the initiative to make it possible for the women of La Tienda to OWN their own land and building to ensure the sustainability of their economic futures. This will enable them to continue working without the pressures of landlord mood swings, and continue providing for their families. Without the opportunity to work at the Tienda often women are left with the options of rummaging through the dumps or prostitution as ways to provide for their children.
What is needed to make this a reality? $10,000.
What can we do? We can join the ARMY of 100. edeva is asking 100 women to commit $2 per week for 52 weeks to meet this goal. It’s a mere $104 per person, collected over the course of one whole year. In early December of 2007 we will present Rachel with the $10,000 (or more) for the women of the Tienda to own their own property, building, and futures. Together, we can do it!
Are you ready to fight for the freedom of these women? To help end the cycle of poverty? To use what you’ve been given to enhance the life of another? Then start today, December 1, 2006 to work towards your personal, familial, or group goal of raising $104 dollars for the women of LaTienda.

Join with your friends, your sisters, your daughters and mothers (whoever), and join the ARMY of 100.
army = "any body of persons organized for any purpose". (dictionary.com)
Ways to get started:
tell your friends
create an ARMY of 100 group
grab a container, jar, hat, whatever and start collecting
Ways to raise $2/week:
Eat breakfast at home one morning and forego that Tim Horton’s bagel and specialty coffee
Purchase a cheaper lipstick and donate the rest to the Tienda
Instead of buying those bags of potato chips that are on sale - donate. You’ll help feed someone else while watching your waist line decline. Now there’s incentive!
Have a brainstorming session with your friends and come up with what will work for you.
*Please email info(at)edeva(dot)ca and let us know of your ARMY of 100 group. We will feature your group on edeva’s ‘Feature Friday’s’ posts. Also, look for LaTienda product to be featured on upcoming Feature Friday’s.