February-March Cause: Help Mbali Sing For Good Causes In South Africa -- 3/31 Update: Only $663 needed by Midnight tonight!

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

March 31 Update: Mbali reported that her personal fundraisers have brought in $1,500 more. And you guys sent her $204 in birthday cards! When you combine that with the $2,000 donation from our anonymous 29Gifter from three weeks ago, and the $1,933 raised so far through our online ChipIn campaign, we've raised a total of $5,637. We only need to raise another $663 by Midnight PST to hit our $6,300 goal. Learn more about Mbali's trip below. And please ChipIn if you can. Every little bit helps!

During the months of February and March, we are rallying 29Givers to support the mother of our movement, Mbali Creazzo. As most of you know, the 29-Day Giving Challenge was given to me as a "prescription" by Mbali, who is one of my spiritual mentors and a medicine woman. Mbali is originally from South Africa, and though she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area now, she remains involved in activities that benefit her home country. One of those organizations is the Vukani Mawethu Choir. This choral group is a nonprofit multiracial choir which sings the freedom songs of Southern Africa, and also gospel, spirituals, labor and civil rights songs linking people in the U.S., South Africa, and around the world.

In April 2009, Mbali and the Vukani Mawethu Choir will be traveling to South Africa, where their performances will raise money for various humanitarian projects, such as AIDS clinics and orphanages. For Mbali, as the only member of the choir who is from South Africa, this trip is a return to her homeland, but this is no vacation. She and the choir will be traveling to six cities and three countries in less than four weeks, from South Africa, to Mozambique, and Nambia.

Traveling to Africa is expensive and each member of the choir must raise funds to pay for their trip to ensure that money generated from performances can go to the humanitarian projects the choir supports. Mbali needs to raise $6,300 by March 31, 2009 to make this trip possible. This money will cover her lodging, food, travel expenses, and a percentage will go into the choir's charitable donation fund. I encourage all of you to to show your gratitude and appreciation by helping Mbali make this pilgrimage. Please donate via credit card or Paypal to help facilitate Mbali's trip. Click the Chip In button. This transaction is processed by Paypal and the money will go directly into the Vukani Mawethu account. You will be emailed a receipt so you have it for tax records.

The Vukani Mawethu Choir sings out against racism and injustice whenever and wherever possible -- from homeless shelters or prisons, to performing directly behind Nelson Mandela before 78,000 at the Oakland Coliseum in June 1990, and throughout the cities and townships of South Africa on a dynamic cultural tour in 1997. Vukani Mawethu is proud to have contributed to the international effort to bring about democratic elections for all the people of South Africa, and to have often been called "the spirit of the movement" and "cultural ambassadors of good will.” The choir has won three Emmys for their 1997 documentary.

If you'd like to hear some samples of Vukani Mawethu songs, there are three uploaded in the community music player on our main page. The music player is in the left sidebar.

Great Giveaways from Mbali
To thank us for our support, Mbali raffled off several gifts here on our community site. The first was a Vukani Mawethu Choir CD and DVD. One lucky giver won a free phone Divination from Mbali and all of us can take advantage of a $10 savings on Divinations in March. A divination is a type of intuitive reading -- like a tarot card reading, but Mbali uses shells to direct the reading instead of cards. The last giveaway was a beautiful necklace, handmade by Mbali.

To donate via credit card or paypal to help facilitate Mbali's trip to South Africa with the Vukani Mawethu Choir, simply click the ChipIn! button. This transaction is processed by Paypal and the money will go directly into the Vukani Mawethu account. You will be emailed a receipt. We're looking forward to watching the numbers soar to the $6300 mark for Mbali, because if it weren't for her, the 29Gifts Movement wouldn't exist.

[rebecca drew]

this is just wonderful!! i will definitely be donating!

[mbali- 29Gifts Spiritual Advisor]

Thanks for teh donation you gave

[Erin - 29Gifts Community Manager]

I gave a little because I'm running a bit short, but I'll be donating again!

[Shawna]

Cami,

Spotlighting the Vukani Mawethu Choir and the spirit inspiring 29-Gifts Mbali Creazzo beautifully exemplifies the law of circulation, keeping flow flowing. Wahoo! It is a joy observing your spirit in action!

If possible, could a phonetic pronouciation of Ms. Creazzo's name be added?

Peace,
Shawna

[mbali- 29Gifts Spiritual Advisor]

Hello everyone who has already given, who intends to give and who cannot give at this time
THANK YOU ! I am already deeply touched by your generosity and it is just day one. I am unable to respond individually but please watch this space, i will be adding a comment here and there.

In the spirit of Ubuntu (Humanity Towards Others ) Thank you again

Mbali

[mbali- 29Gifts Spiritual Advisor]

CREAZZO

CREE AH ZO

cre (as in Brie) AH (as in pa) ZO (as in sew with a Z)

Hope that helps

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

And the first name is:
MMM(as in mmm, good) BAH LEE

[Shawna]

Thank you!

[Shawna]

Thanks!

[sharon]

I am willing to chip in!
M'bali, you the wind beneath our wings!
We want you to fly....

[mbali- 29Gifts Spiritual Advisor]

Thank you Sharon for your chip and your words

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

Woooo. Hooo! We've raised $275 for Mbali on DAY 1 of our fundraising drive! Go 29Gifters!