Keep it Down Class of 2012!

Okay, so there was a woman in South Carolina this week who was arrested for cheering too loud at her daughter's high school graduation.  At first blush I figured the lady had probably imbibed in a celebratory cocktail or two before the ceremony and the charges filed surely contained the words intoxication or drunkenness.  Not so...turns out she was just a proud mama making a joyful noise!

The week before in Ohio , a cap and gowned young man was handed a letter of reprimand instead of the diploma he had earned because his family and friends in the audience were a little too exuberant in their shout-outs.  Really??!

I don't know about you but I feel like the schools got it all wrong.  Let's look at the data:

• 3,030,000 kids drop out of American schools every year.  That's 8,300 a day!  
• 75% of crimes in the US are committed by high school drop-outs.
• A high school drop-out cannot qualify for 90% of the jobs in today's marketplace. 
• Graduating high school raises a person's lifetime earnings by $260,000.

Those are some serious statistics.  And you can break the numbers down even more - by ethnicity, household income, location - the overall picture does not get any better.  

That's why I don't understand  the school's attitude.  If a child makes it - especially an 'at risk' child - why wouldn't that be celebrated??  and loudly?!   I say shout it from the rooftops!!  I'm sorry - the consequences do not fit the crimes here.  To hold these kids responsible - to take away from their special day - in this way - is beyond petty...I mean I can't help it: are you kidding me???

My own daughter is graduating on Sunday.  She started high school not quite two months after her father passed away.  While I am sure our family and friends will behave with all the decorum and dignity this solemn occasion demands...I hate to think that one of her brothers could get tossed in the slammer for whooping it up  when she walks!   

Great Fair Trade Gifts From Around The Globe!

Fair Trade Producers Visit - Kenya 2009 - By Shared Interest/Flickr

The other day I stepped in - I mean clicked on - a website called... Mr. Ellie Pooh.  I loved it! These two guys in Sri Lanka, Dr. Karl Wald and Thusitha Ranasinghe, figured out how to make paper products out of pachyderm droppings!   They formed a company and now produce photo albums, stationary, decorative boxes - even a children's storybook - all made from, yes...Dumbo's dung. Talk about recycling!

The really cool thing (as if anything could be cooler than making stuff out of elephant pies!) is that they                     are a Fair Trade company.  That means they want to make a difference - not just a profit.  Mr. Ellie Pooh LLC  is benefiting man, beast and nature with their enterprise!

Guided by the principle's of ethical commerce, fair trade retailers believe fair market practices are key if developing countries are ever to achieve economic parity with the rest of us.  It's called consumerism with a conscience.  Over sixty years ago a single group, Ten Thousand Villages, embarked on a global mission to raise the standards of living for the poorest of our poor. That vision founded  The World Fair Trade Organization, which today boasts over 450 like-minded members!  And all I have to do to help is shop!

I am amazed at the stuff I found while scrolling through the on-line catalogs of fair trade stores. Virtually every continent and culture is represented in this burgeoning marketplace and the imagination evident in the one-of-a-kind treasures is awe-inspiring!

• Cambodian artisans in the Rajanas Association, spread peace and earn a living by turning bomb casings into candle holders!  
• The Women's Multipurpose Co-op in the Philippines give their families a chance at a better life by fashioning recycled newspapers into necklaces, picture frames, even clocks! 

Lovely!  Whimsical!  Unique!  It's not just philanthropic urges pushing me to buy - this stuff rocks!  I know where I'm doing my Christmas shopping this year!

If my buying power can help end the cycle of poverty in Third World countries why wouldn't I use it?  Especially when my purchases are so extraordinary!  It takes a whole village to raise a child...I can open up my wallet to do my part!