Sell A Pair, Give A Pair

Eyeglasses are important. It is always great to find affordable but quality eyeglasses. The Warby Parker eye glasses are only available through their website. It is pretty interesting to note that this eye glass company was started out by friends who wanted to provide quality eyeglasses with an affordable price.

There are very few companies who sell eye glasses who gives a pair as they sell a pair. It is inspiring to see Warby Parker take such a stance. The company works with non-profit partners to make sure that each sale they make will give someone in need a good pair of glasses.

This is a very inspiring move by Warby Parker. Hopefully, other companies would follow suit and impact their communities more.

You Are Inspirational, Gandang Kalikasan Inc.

I have a guest writer today, Cym. She is the lady behind ceemee's cazzapoeia! I asked her to write today's You Are Inspirational because she has first hand experience with our featured inspirational company, Gandang Kalikasan Inc.

Who would have thought that organic products that were accessible just to the wealthy could be available in the Philippines at a very reasonable price? Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. made that possible through its Human Nature brand of products. A social enterprise started by Anna Meloto-Wilk, her husband Dylan Wilk and her sister Camille Meloto, they believe that natural products, which are beneficial for the environment and their users, should be available to everyone, even if that means cutting down their own profits because of the steep prices of the ingredients. They also had to find ways to make the production ethical since they absolutely do not use harmful chemicals and they do not test on animals.

Another inspiring thing with Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. is that they are guided by principles of being Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment. Pro-Philippines in that all the raw materials used are sourced locally, thus Filipino farmers do not lose their jobs. They could now send their children to decent schools because their produce was bought by Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. at higher prices. They were also provided with extractors and other farming needs from the profits to make globally competitive organic raw materials. This is also in accordance to the company’s being Pro-Poor. They employ workers from Gawad Kalinga so they could be given a good livelihood. These workers’ wages are even above minimum and they are provided with many benefits and overtime pay. The only time they have the need to import is when there were no ingredients available locally, but if these could be grown, they will find ways to do it. They believe that Philippines is a trove of natural resources that could be harnessed to produce world-class products. Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. is Pro-Environment in that the means to manufacture a certain product is carefully deliberated so that the environment will not be harmed.

To sum it up, according to their website www.humanheartnature.com, “Human Nature is about loving the Philippines, loving the environment and loving our families as we provide only the safest and purest world-class ingredients for them. These are effective AND affordable organic and natural personal care products that feel as good on your skin as they do in your heart. We hope that you will find a sense of peace and purpose knowing that your everyday choices have a positive impact on the poor, our country and our planet.”

This is the reason why I signed up to become a Human Nature dealer. Knowing that Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. sets out to be an example of a corporation with a heart is inspiring for me. The products that I tried worked wonders, too. I especially love the Peppermint-scented Strengthening Shampoo, which reduced my hair fall at the same time eliminating my dandruff. I also use the super gentle Feminine Wash. For my children, I smooth the Citronella Bug Spray onto their skin. It’s effective and safe because it’s DEET-free. DEET is a harmful chemical found in commercial bug sprays. I want my family and friends to have the benefit of using natural products that are not only good for the environment, but good for their bodies as well.

You Are Inspirational, Gentle Hands

Gentle Hands is a Christian social welfare agency located in Metro Manila. They rescue children who are abandoned, abused, or malnourished. They are also a licensed foster/adoption agency. To learn more about it, go to http://www.gentlehands.org/

Here are some of the recent "rescues" and "adoptions" as shown in the Gentle Hands FB page.

I am inspired that Gentle Hands is run by non-Filipino missionaries who are called by God to work here in the Philippines, to help this specific group of people. They bring hope to some of the most depressed families and children in our society.

Most of the time, we Filipinos, don't have much time to help out in our community, much more these abandoned children. As a blogger, I have realized that we don't need to stay behind our blogs, but we can actually start to go beyond blogging. Maybe we can start to donate, or help them buy some of their needs.

Gentle Hands Current Needs List

1. Stuff for the Children and Babies
A. Daily Needs
1. Onesies baby undershirts
2. Cloth diapers
3. Receiving blankets
4. Baby wipes, baby powder, lotions
5. Diapers – size 000 – preemie pampers
6. crib sheets
7. Diaper rash creme
8. Bed sheets
9. thin blankets
10. Summer clothes

B. Bigger Needs
1. Air-conditioners X5
2. Ceiling fans X10
3. High chairs X6
4. Special Infant Cribs (6 @ P8000 each)
5. Big TV and DVD player for kids

2. Medical Stuff
A. Daily needs
1. Antibiotic ointment
2. Hydro-cortisone creme
3. Anti-fungal creme
4. Children’s Tylenol
5. Children’s Vitamins
6. Bandages
7. Gauze
8. non-stick gauze

3. Food & Personal Hygenie Items
1. canned goods of any kind
2. rice
3. milk powder for babies
4. toothbrushes and toothpaste

ONE-TIME NEEDS:

1. Medical Stuff
1. Nebulizer X2
2. Portable O2 machine & tank
3. O2 tank
4. Regular weigh scale
5. Microscope for labwork
6. 2-hospital beds

2. Office Stuff
1. typewriter
2. fax/copier/printer all-in-one

Hopefully, we can gather together our resources and make a difference in a child's life! Leave a comment if you are interested to join me.

You Are Inspirational, Tracey Heppner

Tracey L. Heppner is a well-known photographer who chose to migrate to the Philippines with her family because she wanted to give her gifts and talents to those who could never repay her. Let us get to know her more and be inspired to give back to others as well!

Can you briefly describe the work/life you have before coming to the Philippines?

We moved from the province of Saskatchewan, where my husband pastored and I had started my photography business in 2003, to British Columbia in 2007 with the primary goal of creating an unconventional community of faith in the metropolis of Vancouver.

I also continued my work as a wedding and lifestyle photographer, working with many of canada's leading photographers. I became one of the best second shooters in Vancouver. It was something I worked hard to be.

I co-founded a networking group for wedding photographers in 2008 and have successfully turned it over to the local photographers there. There are over 300 members.

I was voted one of vancouver's top 50 portrait photographers in 2009.

In December 2010 I was among 8 nominated for the most influential in the wedding industry in British Columbia.

My business was starting to boom again after our move from saskatchewan. It was perfect.

Why did you come to the Philippines?

I volunteer at Gentle Hands, with media. Gentle Hands is a Christian social welfare agency located in metro manila. We rescue children who are abandoned, abused, or malnourished. We are also a licensed foster/adoption agency.

I photograph everything that goes on there. I also take some of the newborns very first newborn sessions. Most likely they would never have had the opportunity to have photos taken had they not come to GH. I take photographs of the children; these photos will be precious treasures for their forever families one day.

I would like to shoot some weddings still.i do destination weddings. I love "love". My photography "business" is primarily weddings and couple lifestyle sessions.

How can we help you in what you are doing?

Let people know that they can give to Gentle Hands in not only monetary ways, but in tangible ways. We have a list of current "needs" that people can give to. Every bit of giving helps. The needs are so great.

Short message to those people who want to make a difference, just like you.

You dont have to be a "somebody". You don't have know someone who is a "somebody". You just need to be willing. There are so many people who are much worse than you. Be grateful for what you have been given and give back. You can only truly receive when you give. It's the most satisfying thing you can do.

You can see more of Tracey's work at her facebook page and her website.