Before the rehabilitation process can begin, the women are recruited from the streets of Ethiopia. Here’s a look at how “night visits” are conducted to recruit new cycles of women. 

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

“Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” – Luke 6:38 (MSG)

I can remember sitting at the Influence Conference, listening to Blair share about her Pixie Project and the whole Purpose Project framework. She shared all of the important info: who, what, when, where, and why…but more importantly, she shared her heart. I remember listening, thinking to myself, “I have got to do something. I can’t do a lot, but I can so do this.”

And a seed was planted.

Sure, I had no idea what my project would be or how much money I would raise, but those things didn’t matter.

A tiny seed was planted in my heart, and I knew it would grow.

I began to act in faith. I began to pray. I asked others to pray for this project. I asked God to show me what I could do. I knew He would show me…what caught me by surprise was how quickly He showed me.

The Plunge Project literally began within weeks of me hearing Blair speak about the Pixie Project.

Friends, let me tell you…if you have that seed in you, too – do something about it. Water it, nourish it, tend to it….and it will grow! It may take a while, or it may take weeks like it did for me. Either way, it will happen.

And all you have to do is act on it. It doesn’t matter how much you raise or how successful your project is – all that matters is that you participated. You acted. You said YES.

The fundraising part? That’s the easy part – and you get so much out of it.

By participating in the Plunge Project, I was completely changed. Humbled by the donations that came in during the month of December. Grateful that I got to be a part of such an amazing project and group. Proud that I was getting to make a difference in someone’s life.

I was blessing someone else, but in reality, I was the one getting all the true blessings.

And the moment I stepped out of my comfort zone and jumped in that icy water that January morning, I was awakened to the amazing things God can do if you just say yes. I’m forever changed and forever grateful.

So, if you think you can’t do it, I’m here to tell you, YOU CAN. God didn’t put that little seed in you for fun – He wants you do something with it. We’re all here to cheer you on, to encourage you.

And I’m telling you, you will not regret it for a single second.

(source: Lena’s Blog)

Have your own idea? Submit them here or email info(at)themochaclub.org… we’d love to help!

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

The average age of entry into prostitution is 13 years old.

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

http://blog.themochaclub.org/articles/2009/12/21/reality-for-many-of-ethiopias-women/

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

We are so incredibly excited to announce #blogABLE – an opportunity to bring some of our favorite online voices to see our work in Africa. Mocha Club is partnering with our sister company, fashionABLE, to take a group of amazing, talented ladies to see our work in Ethiopia. From August 10-14, we’ll spend time with our partners both at Women at Risk and at the fashionABLE headquarters. Follow along on our adventure!

The Bloggers

		Emily Maynard EmilyMaynard.com @emilymaynard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Erin Loechner DesignForMankind @erinloechner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
		Jenna Weber EatLiveRun @eatliverun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Gaby Dalkin WhatsGabyCooking @whatsgabycookin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
		Dana Weiss Possessionista @possessionista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Ellie Holcomb EllieHolcomb.com @ellieholcomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
		Hayley Morgan TheTinyTwig @thetinytwig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Shannan Martin FlowerPatchFarmgirl @flowerpatchfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
		Trina McNeilly LaLaLovelyThings @lalalovelyblog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Blair McLeod virtual traveler Wild-and-Precious @blairita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trip Leaders

Marisa Pardo blog.themochaclub.org @mochaclub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Barrett Ward livefashionABLE.com @livefashionABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing each blogger. Stay tuned and follow along at #blogABLE.

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

About 80% of women in prostitution have been the victim of rape.

A woman from Women at Risk shares her story…

“I am one of 9 children to parents who were farmers. My father was a violent man who often beat my mother. At age 10, all of my siblings suddenly died of chickenpox. One morning, I found my mother hanging lifeless in our home after committing suicide. Life after that became unbearable. At 15, I ran away from the farm and began working as a housemaid. After working for 5 years, a friend told me I could make much more money if I worked in prostitution like herself. So, that night, I followed her to a club. Because I was a virgin, the club owners placed me up for auction and then the highest bidder raped me. I moved from night club to night club for the next 9 years. Pregnant from a customer, I gave birth to a son, but the hardest part was finding out I had contracted HIV and my son had heart complications. When I heard about Women at Risk, I immediately enrolled into the program. I so want to receive training that will give me an employable skill and get healthcare for my son so he can thrive.”

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

>> need a last-minute gift for mom? today is mother’s day! give a gift in her honor & get a card here!

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

In 2011, the staff at Ellilta in Nazaret, Ethiopia identified four main objectives for the Women At Risk facility. These objectives guide and foster the staff as they partner with Mocha Club to rescue and rehabilitate women from lives of prostitution. Here’s more on the objectives >> http://blog.themochaclub.org/articles/2011/09/28/objectives/

Stay tuned each day this month and learn how we are supporting vulnerable women in Africa as a part of our holistic approach to community development. Tweet and follow along >> #mochaHOTmonth .

>> need a last-minute gift for mom? tomorrow is mother’s day! give a gift in her honor & get a card here!