Modern Atlanta

Design Fundraiser for CARE Empowers Women In Africa- MA09 Design Is Human presents MA-ology’s “The Italian Style”

MA’s concern about global events that especially negatively impact the lives of innocent women and children is very real and is in part why the event is called Design Is “Human”.  Rising the awareness in 2009 will be no exception as CARE’s Derek Kayongo returns for MA09 to speak passionately on behalf of CARE’s work empowering women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources.

MA-ology’s “The Italian Style” is an international design exhibition celebrating Italian creativity- its beautiful furniture and objects, cutting-edge fashion, expressive art, and Italy’s elevated status as an international design destination.  It all takes place in White Provision, located in Midtown West and is expected to sell out early with tickets $20.00 at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales go to help support CARE’s work with women and children in Africa, a cause well worth supporting.

The village of Nazzlet El Masharqa is part of the EMPOWERS (EURO-MED Participatory Water Rescources Scenarios) project which is co-funded by CARE.  Here family members and labours harvest the tomatos of local farmer Mr Samir, who is a member of the village’s CDA. (Photograph by Una Brosnan)

The Afar people of Ethiopia. CARE’s FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Project worked for over 5 years to gain the confidence of the Afar people. The project built a bore hole and a shallow well; rebuilt 3 health posts and built a new one; opened a primary school; dug an irrigation ditch and started an agriculture program; started a Public Health Community—PHC—program. Once CARE identified the problems they started to train Traditional Birth Attendants. They then gathered local religious leaders—the Afar are 100% Muslim—for 4 days of discussion. Fifteen of 17 of the leaders (all Male) in the site agreed it was a good idea to stop the practice. They then went to the Circumcisers (all female) 60 in all. Most stopped but a few continued. Men and women have historically never sat together in public discussions. This was the first time that this occurred. Previously women would sit out of hearing range of the men while policy was discussed by the male leaders. During the discussions facilitated by CARE the women were speaking up and actually challenging the men in discussion. Today there are 120 women in the Anti Harmful Traditional Practices Association. Also their agenda has expanded beyond FGM to Children’s Education; Agriculture Techniques; and entrepreneurial pursuits.

The village of Al-Mamaleek is part of the EMPOWERS (EURO-MED Participatory Water Rescources Scenarios) project which is co-funded by CARE. Al-Mamaleek is situated alongside Bahr Youssef, a branch of the Nile. Children play at one of the villages water pumps.

A rising star- acclaimed Italian and Milan-based Painter, Marco Grassi.

MA and our sponsors are especially proud to announce that Marco Grassi is presenting his first-ever USA one-man exhibition in Atlanta. This special Marco Grassi one-man exhibition is part of MA09 Design Is Human’s headliner event, MA-ology- “The Italian Style” and CARE Fundraiser to help empower women and children in Africa.  Select Marco Grassi’s paintings will be for sale with proceeds also going to CARE. Thanks Marco and will see you in Atlanta in May!