http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/elle-girl-magazines-benefit-for-education-in-ethiopia3993 An entire Lightstalkers thread via RSS/XML. en-us From my friend Hope -- Fashion for a Cause Elle Girl Magazine*s benefit for education in Ethiopia newsflash CONTACT: Hope McGrath March 21, 2005 ASHA, ph. 917.351.1395 Elle Girl*s *Fashion for a Cause* event is building libraries in Ethiopia The new charitable organization, ASHA Foundation, was founded by Hope McGrath, a fashion event producer and her mother Helen Boxwill, an acclaimed educator. The ASHA Foundation is the beneficiary of Elle Girl Magazine*s charity fashion show, *Fashion for a Cause*, taking place on Friday, April 1st, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mason Hall of Baruch College. The show, created by students to benefit other students in great need will donate all funds to Watchamo School #3 in Hossana, Ethiopia, where there are almost 4,000 impoverished students to only 49 teachers and the average yearly salary is $139.00. Tickets can be purchased in advance and $10.00 at the door or in advance by calling: 718-724-9224. ASHA Foundation first began their *Books for Kids* program in 2004 when Helen Boxwill was living in Ethiopia for a year working as a college professor with The International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH.org). Her daughter Hope McGrath, along with numerous friends began gathering children*s books from schools, friends and donations from publishing houses (Simon & Schuster and Random House.) So far 7000 books have been collected and shipped to Ethiopia. Helen was living in the village of Hossana, a town hours away from the capital, Addis Ababa. There she noticed a desperate need for books, libraries and so much more. The founder*s strong belief in the importance of education led to the creation of the ASHA Foundation. The organization*s goal is to build libraries in Africa and send books to children and schools that have very little resources. Elle Girl*s donation has inspired the entire community of Hossana to get involved. Upon hearing of Elle Girl*s involvement, the government of Hossana offered to pitch in and pay 25% of the total cast to create the first library. It will cost a total of $17,300 to build the library from scratch. The money raised from the *Fashion for a Cause* will go directly to build the first library for the elementary school Watchamo School #3. This school, grades 1-8 has 3370 students and only 49 teachers, 19 classrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1 water spicket! Books, school supplies and numerous other resources are scarce. ASHA Foundation is thrilled with the support from Elle Girl and the fashion industry. If you can*t make the event, but would like to contribute, kindly send donations to: ASHA Foundation, 242 West 30th St., 3rd Floor, NYC 10001, receipts will be provided for tax purposes. For all inquiries, contact Hope McGrath at 917.351.1395 or hope@ashastyle.com . Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:24:00 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/elle-girl-magazines-benefit-for-education-in-ethiopia3993