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on August 2, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #7Rewards have shipped!
Post CommentHello everyone! We want to thank you all for your patience as we have been preparing the rewards and successfully shipped them out last week! You should expect your packages today or tomorrow, which is so exciting!
We're thrilled to share with you a bit of Morocco from Rachida as well as a bit of Nest!
It took us a little while to receive Rachida's letter here in the U.S. but we think you'll all be excited to see what how appreciative she and Nest are of your involvement!
Here are a few pictures of her most recent weaving and our visit to Morocco in April with a few Nest-ers and a few women from Rachida's co-op.
We also have an update on how the rebuilding has begun with your help. Rachida's roof has been mostly reconstructed and a few new cement rooms have been put together on the top floor of her home. One of the new rooms will be for her winter wood supply, which was lost in the fire as well.
In addition, Rachida plans to buy a new loom and clothing for her children soon as well!
Thank you again so much for your involvement, it wouldn't have been possible without each of you!
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on May 17, 2010Funded!
Build a Nest: Rebuilding for Rachida by Nest
In January, the home of Rachida, a Nest loan recipient in Morocco, burned down. We must help to rebuild her life and we can't do it without you!
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217% funded $2,177 pledged
- 54 backers
- Funded May 17, 2010
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on May 14, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #6A message from Morocco...
Post CommentWhen the fire took place in Rachida's house this past winter it was a difficult time for the women of Cooperative Toudart Iwsta. They all gathered at Rachida's house with nothing but a shoulder to cry on. But even during such a great loss for Rachida's family, Rachida continued to open her home giving honey bread and tea to anyone who came to offer their concern.
Your willingness to give, has given Rachida's family and the Cooperative an opportunity to rebuild and continue to grow. As Rachida said in her interview with Nest, "My dreams for the Cooperative are to grow as it grows."-Brian Kremer, U.S. Peace Corps Morocco Volunteer [Brian has been working with Cooperative Toudart Iwsta since December of 2007. Through the years Brian has worked with Rachida along with many other women weavers of the Cooperative.]
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on May 11, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #5Nest Board Members with Rachida and her Community
Post CommentHere's a video of some of the Nest board members dancing and singing with Rachida and the other members of the Midelt Rug Cooperative while visiting them in Morocco last month. Enjoy!
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on May 8, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #4How Could I Forget Rachida
Post CommentHow could I forget Rachida. She opened up her home to us. That was well before the fire and we were able to laugh and visit with all the women in the co-op in her house. My daughter and I traveled to Morocco with Nest a year ago, April. Rachida welcomed us like family. In fact, she was quite taken by my then 17 year old daughter, Risa, (I suspect she had her son in mind) and asked if she would like to stay in Morocco with her. As she said this she put her arm around Risa. I in turn was told I could come visit her in the summers. Her sense of humor and warmth inspired all of us. To hear of her loss was devastating. But I'm thrilled to know that there are people out there that so readily came to her aid. Thank you. You've truly made a difference in the lives of these women.
-Harriet Saltzman -
on May 7, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #3The first time I met Rachida...
Post CommentThe first time I met Rachida, she gave us a weaving demonstration in her home. She laughed as she showed us how she shreds t-shirts to weave rugs since buying wool is so expensive. When I heard that she lost that loom, I was heartbroken for her. We were about to return to Morocco for another trip and I was excited to see her. We were conducting interviews and were not going to ask about the fire - we did not want to pressure her to talk about something so difficult - but she opened up right away to share her story. In addition to the fire which stole her livelihood, her husband left her. Perhaps, the two were related since she was no longer bringing income to her family. Her eyes welled with tears and I could not help but envelope her in a hug. The money we are raising - and already surpassing - will directly and powerfully impact Rachida and her entire cooperative. I am eternally grateful for the support you are all providing.
-Rebecca Kousky
Founder of Nest -
on May 4, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #2Nest Board Members Hear Rachida's Story
Post CommentIt is April 15th and the Nest board members are sitting in their hotel lobby in Midelt, Morocco, interviewing the women of the cooperative. Rachida, sitting next to Hayat, listens as Hayat (the president and only English speaking member of the cooperative) tells the story of how Rachida’s house burned down a few months ago, completely ruining the rugs she had made and destroying the loom she used to create new rugs. Essentially, she lost her livelihood in that fire. She can’t work now, and on top of that, her husband is divorcing her. Rachida starts to cry. Rebecca puts her hand on Rachida’s. I look next to me, and Erin, a board member from San Francisco, has tears streaming down her face. Of course, I well up. Sadness and heartbreak – just one more thing that transcends languages and cultures. Later that night at dinner, we discuss doing a fundraiser for Rachida to help her get a new loom to replace the one she lost in the fire. Now, two weeks later, we have raised almost all of the money needed to rebuild Rachida’s home thanks to the incredible generosity and amazing support of our friends and families. It’s amazing what we can do when we rally around a cause for someone who has touched our lives.
Thanks to all of you.
-Amy, NYC board president -
on May 3, 2010
Nest
Posted project update #1Day 1: 53% Percent Funded
Post CommentThank you all so much for donating today to Rachida's rebuilding fundraiser and to everyone else for checking out our project. It means so much to each of us at Nest, especially those of us who were on the Morocco trip in April. We visited with Rachida and the co-op for two days in Midelt, danced and sang with the women, ate with them, saw their looms, heard about their business goals, families, and more.
Here are some photos of Rachida from the trip (along with the other co-op women and some Nesters). In two of the photos Rachida is the one in all pink and in the third she is in the white headscarf -- she is beautiful, strong, and wonderful to be around!
Thank you all again for helping Nest help Rachida and for learning more about our organization -- 13 days to go!
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on May 3, 2010
Nest launched a project
Build a Nest: Rebuilding for Rachida by Nest
In January, the home of Rachida, a Nest loan recipient in Morocco, burned down. We must help to rebuild her life and we can't do it without you!
- $1,000 funding goal
- 05/17/2010 Funding Ended
Nest
St Louis, MO
Nest is a non-profit organization connecting women around the world through art, craft and opportunity. Through its pioneering microbartering model, Nest provides women artisans around the world with the financing, mentorship and market to create ... view more
