Hello friends,

Court Welcome to the final Eat So They Can newsletter before the big weekend on October 18-19! I hope that you have received your 'Party Pack' in the mail because it contains the brand new ESTC DVD! I encourage you to show the film to your guests at your event so they can see for themselves exactly where their donations are going and the incredible difference they are making to the lives of children in Africa.

And there has never been a more critical time. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), poor rains, compounded by high food and fuel prices, have hit the Horn of Africa region hard - Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya and Djiboutu. That's three out of the four countries ESTC supports.

WFP estimates that drought-affected people in the region now number 17.5 million. In north-eastern Uganda, 90 percent of people have not planted for the current growing season due to erratic rains. In Ethiopia, crop production is decreasing, malnutrition is rising and rural people are being forced to migrate to towns for cheap labour. Kenya has also had below average rains and faced an overall food deficit this year because of the post-election violence that disrupted production, and rising food and fuel prices.

The time has come to take action and raise as much money as we can to prevent hunger from further endangering people of these nations.

I hope you enjoy a fun, happy and joyful event with your friends and family. Please take lots of pictures (and video if you can) of your event. We are looking for parties to feature on our website and in next year's ESTC DVD. Please send pictures and videos to us at: info@eatsotheycan.org

If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to contact us at the above address. We are all so excited for this event. Together we are going to save lives!

Best,

Courtney
ESTC Co-Founder and GVN Foundation Director

Host Checklist

Stomachs are beginning to rumble as the big Eat So They Can weekend draws near, so let's make sure you have everything you need to ensure your event is a roaring success:

Online Resource Guide!

The Guide is packed full of good ideas, important information and handy resources. If you don't have yours yet, please visit http://www.eatsotheycan.org/resources/resource_guide.php for a copy.

Party Pack and DVD!

The Pack includes posters, badges and a special ESTC DVD that features a 'Stop Child Poverty' slideshow and video from Courtney and Jeanne's recent trip to Africa where they distributed funds from last years' event. If you have not signed up for your Party Pack, do it now at: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/connected/dvd.php.

Media Kit and Press Release!

Gaining media coverage can have an incredible impact, shedding light on the plight of other communities and inspiring more people to join ESTC and take action. Please help us spread the word through your local media by filling in our online press form:
>http://www.eatsotheycan.org/press.php

WHAT'S NEW? ESTC FILM GOES LIVE!

The following two films that feature on our ESTC DVD are now available online for everyone to enjoy!

Eat So They Can Film (30 min)

Join Courtney Montague and Jeanne Sweetman as they travel through Africa distributing ESTC funds to schools and orphanages.

Breaking Free Documentary (15 min) By Kelsey Montague

Meet some of the GVN staff, partners and volunteers on the ground in Kenya and see how together they are helping communities in need.

Visit the ESTC website and check them out today: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/media/dvd.php

EVENT TIP: HUNGER QUIZ

Find out how much your guests really know about poverty by giving them the 'Hunger Quiz' at your event! Test their knowledge and educate them about the plight of communities in need at the same time. Visit the media page and download the hunger quiz: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/media/kit.php

HOST PROFILE: Bernadette Gavin, New Zealand

Lauren McLoughlin, ESTC Team Member and GVN Foundation Intern, has been doing a wonderful job helping out hosts with all sorts of questions and requests. Lauren has the scoop on what local Kiwi, Bernadette Gavin, is planning for her big ESTC event:

When Bernadette is not busy planning her ESTC event, she is a massage therapist, artist, surfer and mother, all whilst running an Eco Retreat with her partner in Raglan, New Zealand.

With an appetite for social change, Bernadette first heard of ESTC through a close friend who has volunteered in India with Global Volunteer Network and decided to be part of Eat So They Can by signing up to host a meal.

Bernadette has pledged her support by organising a public 'Pot-luck Picnic' at a beautiful outside venue in the township of Raglan By The Sea. "There will be organic food to purchase also and beautiful African photography will be on display. Plus we will be screening the ESTC documentary that shows where the donations will be going," said Bernadette.

The scenic location near the town centre of Raglan and the fresh fruit and vegetables kindly donated by a local organic shop captures the community spirit of ESTC. Not only will people be bringing food to this event, there will also be some quick snacks and easy to cook food available, giving everyone the opportunity to become involved, share something delicious and healthy and help change the lives of African children, "We are hoping for a fine day and we feel it is going to be a great event." said Bernadette.

In keeping with the African theme, Bernadette also has plans to exhibit some African photography as well as having some African beats in the background to set the mood for what is looking to be the most unique day in the park this year!

On behalf of the ESTC Team we wish Bernadette, and all our hosts this year the best of luck with their events!

FOOD, PHOTOS AND VIDEOTAPE

We are looking for photos and video footage for the website and next years Eat So They Can DVD! So don't forget to get out the camera and capture all of your wonderful eat so they can moments. Please send photos and video footage to: info@eatsotheycan.org

FANCY AN AFRICAN DESSERT FOR YOUR ESTC DINNER?

MOMBASA PUMPKIN DESSERT

Ingredients
1589 g sugar pumpkin, seeded and cubed
400 g white sugar
235 ml coconut milk
2 g ground cardamom

Directions Steam the pumpkin pieces for 5 to 10 minutes. Scoop flesh from skins. In a medium saucepan, combine the pumpkin flesh and sugar. Heat over medium-low temperature until sugar dissolves into the pumpkin. Add coconut and cardamom. Stir often. Cook until the mixture has thickened to thick pudding-like consistency.

A MESSAGE FROM JEANNE SWEETMAN (2007) GRAND PRIZE WINNER

"It's almost time for another ESTC fundraiser and I am so excited about this year's event. Many children will benefit from your efforts, so please invite everyone you know! I doesn't really matter if it's simply horderves or an elaborate dinner, the message is the same. One of you will have the opportunity to travel to Africa and experience the impact these funds have. It is a life changing experience. I think of these kids every day and count my blessings." - Jeanne

DATES FOR THE CALENDAR

18th-19th October

Hello! EAT SO THEY CAN is finally here! Whoop whoop!

3rd November

Last day for hosts to submit donations for Grand Prize eligibility.

21st November

Alert all hosts who have been entered into the draw.

24th November

Grand Prize Draw, winner alerted! Could it be you? Good Luck!

ADVOCACY AND ACTION

16 October – World Food Day

"World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy" is the World Food Day 2008 theme. World Food Day provides an occasion to once again highlight the plight of 862 million undernourished people in the world.

17 October – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the theme for this year's observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is "Human Rights and Dignity of People Living in Poverty".

HANDY ESTC LINKS

Resource Guide: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/resources/resource_guide.php
ESTC Film: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/media/dvd.php
DVD request form:http://www.eatsotheycan.org/connected/dvd.php
Hunger Quiz: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/media/kit.php
ESTC blog: http://eatsotheycan.blogspot.com/
ESTC Facebook group: http://uwf.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10806519973
Newsletter: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/connected/newsletter.php