Human Rights Day Sale & a Secret.....

Today is Human Rights Day. "The Day marks the anniversary of the Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Over the years, a whole network of human rights instruments and mechanisms has been developed to ensure the primacy of human rights and to confront human rights violations wherever they occur."

At Zimbags we believe it is every person’s right to have the opportunity to earn living wages and better herself, her family, and her community. Thus, our goal as an organization is to teach women sustainable skills and create job opportunities that will ultimately improve their quality of life.

In honor of Human Rights Day we are having a sale on the Zimfolding Shopper! Each bag is just $10 through the 13th of December. Make sure to snag your Zimfolding Shopper quickly.

Why did we choose the Zimfolding Shopper? Well, that's where the secret comes in. Shhh, don't tell the other Zimbags, but we happen to love this bag especially. It folds up so small and can be tucked just about anywhere -- it is just so darn cute. And practical. It holds more than a plastic shopping bag and is sturdier. Because it is so small and lightweight, it is easy to store in places where you won't forget to take it into the store. And don't get us started on the beautiful artwork! We swoon over this bag (almost as much as the Zimonsies which kill us with cuteness!)

Where could you store it, you ask? Well, how about your purse, diaper bag, coat pocket, basket on your bike, glove compartment in your car, on the dash of your car, or anywhere else you can think of.

A bit about this cute (and practical) bag:

It folds and velcros closed into a neat little packet measuring 7” by 4”. Perfect for slipping into your purse or glove compartment so you are never without a reusable bag. When unfolded, your bag will have 2 pockets, perfect for storing your keys, coupons, chap stick, gum, or any small thing you must have with you when shopping. Not only will you be helping the environment by eliminating wasteful plastic bags, you will be helping women in Zimbabwe overcome extreme poverty.

Each bag features sadza artwork created by women artists from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The art is sewn onto bags by bag elves in the US. When you purchase your bag you have the choice of Safari Animals or Cultural Scenes or Zimbabwean Designs, make sure to specify your choice! Each Zimbag comes with the story of a woman artist and explains how you are helping to Bag Poverty.

Get your Zimfolding Shopper and support the right for women in Zimbabwe to care for their families. (Currently the life expectancy in Zimbabwe is in the 30s. Creating sustainable jobs for women allows them to feed and educate their children so that the life expectancy can be longer -- a right everyone should have.)

Always,
The Happy Bag Elves

Thoughts...

The Christian Science Monitor has a 3 page article online about the possibility of the "unified" government unraveling and early elections taking place in Zimbabwe, still without a constitution. They write that the current state of things is "reminiscent of the violent 2008 elections" and that "Even if elections are held and Mugabe loses, analysts say, it's unlikely that Mugabe will allow a new president to replace him."

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“If elections are held next year, we will witness another blood bath, another disputed result, and Mugabe will remain on the helm," says Makumbe.

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We try to be optimistic and hopeful, but it seems like the bandaid that has been (barely) covering this fatal wound is being ripped off.

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It says something about the current state of Zimbabwe that the journalist who wrote this article had his/her identity "withheld due to security concerns."

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Though we may not be able to change those in power, we can help those who are under that power. The women artists we work with live with all of this going on around them. Their work allows them the money they need to survive in such turbulence - in a country that has the highest inflation the world has ever seen, one of the lowest life expectancies, and a growing HIV infection rate. The extreme poverty, unemployment, the poor health -- all of these things are related to the current political climate of Zimbabwe.

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"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." -Mother Theresa

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We believe in the power of helping one person. We believe that Zimbabwe has a bright future.

-The Bag Elves

What's your bag?

Everybody has a bag. On my trip into downtown Seattle this last weekend I paid attention to the bags that were all around me. There was the Seattle Symphony bag, the King County Library System bag, the bag that said LOVE, the cute tote that had different kinds of mustaches all over it, the bag with yoga silhouettes, and countless others. And my bag? Well, it was a Zimbag. ((A new kind that we haven't even introduced you to yet and I was 'testing' out, but more on that later.))

3 and a half years ago, Lauren and I decided to make putting an end to extreme poverty in Zimbabwe our bag. We hired women artists in Zimbabwe to create artwork for reusable bags and started sewing the artwork to the bags. It wasn't an easy start and we have been learning as we go (see: English major & History major take on the business world), but we have watched as 7"x7" inch sadza artwork from Zimbabwe gets sewn on to bags and stamped with the Zimbags Z or the phrase "bag poverty" and given a tag with the story of a woman artist we work with. And we have watched Zimbags go out into the world. Every time we sell a bag it is a new thrill, because we know that is more money to go back to purchasing artwork from the women in Zimbabwe, but also because we know that bag can tell a story. That bag has an important history. And right now, the story is a bit grim.

When we first started Zimbags we held an art auction on a snowy night in Seattle. We called it Gallery 33 because the life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe was 33. We held the auction to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Zimbabwe and in hope that the situation would get better. Sadly, it hasn't. The life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe has fallen to 30. 30. And the UN just ranked Zimbabwe the worst place to live.

We don't want to bury you in statistics and sad stories, but 30 as a life expectancy is unacceptable. There won't be a Gallery 30 this year, but please consider supporting Zimbabwean women this holiday season. Make changing the outlook for women in Zimbabwe your bag. Tell the story of these women artists by carrying one of their bags.

Always,

Meghan & Lauren
The Happy (sometimes sad, but always hopeful) Bag Elves

PS -- And don't forget to email us your entries for the November giveaway! (contact@zimbags.org)

Call to Artists!

Gallery 33: Zimbags Art Auction

If you are an artist, and even if you aren't, keep reading.

On December 1st, 2007 - World AIDS Day - Zimbags will be hosting an art auction in Seattle to benefit women in Zimbabwe. These women face a world record-breakingly low life expectancy of just 33 years, due to an HIV/AIDS infection rate of 29% and malnutrition as most live on less than $10 per month.

Our goal is to have 33 pieces of art to auction off on Dec. 1st. If you or someone you know would be willing to donate a piece of art, please send an e-mail to joinus@zimbags.org.

Even if you aren't an artist, you can help. To really make our evening a success we will need funding to provide desserts, a venue, etc. If you are able to directly donate desserts or a venue, please let us know. Otherwise, we would greatly appreciate your financial contribution towards a beautiful venue and enticing desserts. If you are interested in making a donation, please send a check to

Zimbags
PO Box 10187
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110