THE PUBLIC LIBRARY- STILL NEEDED

We have a most remarkable Public Library.  We go often- at least once if not twice a week.  As a mother, it allows me an evening or a weekend day "date" with my children.  I have been taking them to the Library since they were small children.  When we lived in Fort Smith, NWT, Canada, we not only went to the library for the books, but to see authors such as Robert Munsch.

We may think that libraries are no longer necessary in this age of technology and the internet.  But take a moment and think about what going to the library teaches your children:

JABU BAGS- SOCIAL ENTERPRISE- HAPPINESS and EMPOWERMENT

Meet the Fabulously Beautiful...Talented.... Socially Conscious
 Megan Yarema!

(Pat 1 of 3- Jabu Bags)

I had the privilege of meeting Megan in Ottawa, Canada this past October.  One aspect of Megan is Program Manager, Canada Without Poverty, Vancouver Office.

The other aspect of Megan- social entrepreneur- Founder and Director of Jabu Bags- is the aspect I would like you to get to  know today.

Social Enterprise, Social business has long been a passion of mine.  While attending a Heritage Canada funding workshop in Fort Smith, NWT, Canada, I watched a short video clip that caused a seed to plant. Muhammad Yunis , Nobel Peace prize recipient, was featured in the clip. Those short minutes galvanized me to my seat- my mind was racing with excitment- oh, the possibilities! How can we do this in Canada?, I thought.  Social Business, - helping women who could not get money from the banks...I would do it here in a heartbeat- as soon as I get a few hundred thousands of cash!

A few months ago I sent an email to Rob Rainer, Director of Canada Without Poverty, about Mr. Yunis.  I wanted to know if Canada Without Poverty was exploring this avenue. Rob connected me with Megan.  While attending the Canada Without Poverty,  Poverty and Punchlines event on October 15, 2010, I put a bid in on a beautiful bag - Megan told me it was one of the bags from Jabu...  now our story unfolds:

LETS MAKE IT REAL- POVERTY AT HOME

Before we continue with the Poverty Myths in Canada, I want to make this real for those of you at home.  It is so easy to look at the news on poverty or hear talk about it in general.  You may go about your daily life in such a predictable way you manage to never see the poverty or have little contact in your very own community. 

In North Bay, ON, Canada, there lives a widespread population of 55,000 people.  We are surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield, two incredible lakes- the hub- or Northern Gateway.  Hard to believe there is poverty in all this beauty and splendor.  60% of the jobs are government- municipal, provincial and federal.  We have a College and a University.  Ahhh, but like so many other places, the Wide Gap exists here.

The Poverty Reduction Working Group of Nipissing put out a 2010 Poverty Fact Sheet for the Nipissing District: