Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the July 2009 edition of the Eat So They Can newsletter!

Thank you so much to all of you that have already signed up to host an Eat So They Can event. We now have 560 registered hosts, including a Lion King morning tea at an elementary school in Australia, a mystery dinner theatre being organised by a university sorority, a tailgate picnic being organised at Michigan state, and lots more!

It is so important to me that this event is a huge success this year. With the global economic crisis, it is children in developing countries that are being hit hardest. We are so grateful to all our hosts for helping us in the movement to fight child poverty.

To help you get ideas for your events this year, we’ll now be including stories in our newsletters of inspiring, funny and creative events from last year. We’ve also created a facebook quiz to help you decide what event you would be best at organising!

Our 2009 resource guide is now also up and running! This guide will help you with all stages of planning, promoting and organising your event. It's full of useful information as well as downloadable resources including posters, flyers and placemats.

And, if you haven’t signed up yet, just click here

Best,

Courtney
ESTC Co-Founder and GVN Foundation Director

South African Malva Pudding

Our Africa coordinator at GVN has been making Malva Pudding all week to raise money for the Rebuilding Lives project. I highly recommend it - in fact it is probably the most delicious pudding ever!

Ingredients - Pudding

15ml (1 Tablespoon) brick margarine
125ml (½ cup) White Sugar
1 egg
15ml (1 Tablespoon) apricot jam
15ml (1 Tablespoon) vinegar
250ml (1 cup) cake flour
5ml (1 teaspoon) bicarbonate of soda
Pinch of salt

Ingredients - Sauce

125g brick margarine
185ml (¾ cup) White Sugar
65ml water
185ml (¾ cup) cream
5ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla essence

Method - pudding

• Cream the margarine and sugar. Add the egg and blend well.
• Add the apricot jam and vinegar. Mix well.
• Sift the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.
• Pour into a deep round dish about 19cm diameter. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and then bake for 40-50 minutes at 180 ºC.

Method - sauce

• Boil the margarine, sugar and water.
• Remove from the stove and then add the cream and the vanilla. Pour over the hot baked pudding

Event ideas from 2007 and 2008

Here are two of our favourite stories from 2007 and 2008 which we hope will inspire you.

Bongos and Bracelets! - Toronto, Canada, 2007

I hosted a dinner at my house for about 15 people. Since we live in Canada and are not eligible for tax receipts, I asked for small donations $10 -$20. In return we handed out printed material and we made beaded bracelets to commemorate the event. We also asked guests to bring canned goods to give to a local food bank. We decorated with some African flowers and African decorations. I bought some rocks that said hope, believe, peace, faith, love and placed them around the food table. We had some African music and some bongo playing. Everyone had a nice time and we are already thinking of ways to make it more successful next year. Thank you for letting me be a part of this great event.

Australian Zebras - Australia, 2008

When the Eat So They Can team first heard that one of our hosts was planning on having zebras at her event, we couldn't wait to see the photos! Sure enough, Meryl Gamgee, a returning host this year, "borrowed" her neighbours white ponies, armed with some black paint went to work creating zebras for her event held on her farm in Melbourne! You are a legend Meryl!

"We had 'zebras', fake giraffes, a goat, and a couple of local businesses loaned decorations for the day. We cooked lots of African food, served African wines and showed the Eat So They Can DVD. People were impressed by being able to see where the money actually goes and the people it helps. I have received emails from many to say they had a fun time and I hope we raised lots of money!" said Meryl.

Action and Advocacy

World Population Day - 11 July 2009

11 July 2009 marks the 20th World Population Day. This year's theme is focused on the importance of educating girls to a wide range of development issues, including poverty, human rights and gender equality. To learn more and find out how you can get involved visit: UNFPA

National Ice Cream Day - 19 July 2009

Enjoy some ice cream on 19 July to celebrate national ice cream day – you deserve it! Why not also take the opportunity to contact Ben and Jerry’s and find out if you are eligible to receive a donation of ice cream for your Eat So They Can event. Visit for http://www.benjerry.com/contact-us/donations/ more information.

Thank you

Thank you to all of you that have generously donated to support the Rebuilding Lives Project. We already have 10 sponsored families!