On this week’s 51% a New York-based Haiti Project includes a focus on women; we meet a chef intent on village transformation in Malawi; and a writer tells a post-election story. I’m Allison Dunne and this is 51%.
The Poughkeepsie, New York-based Vassar Haiti Project was founded in 2001 and supports the welfare of artists and artisans in Haiti and sustainable development in Chermaitre, a remote mountain village in the northwestern part of the impoverished Caribbean nation. The Vassar Haiti Project functions through the auction and sale of Haitian art and handcrafts. Contributions are guided by five initiatives — education, medical access, reforestation, water purification and women's leadership. Lila Meade is founder and co-chair of Vassar Haiti Project and speaks to the women’s leadership initiative.
We turn to another impoverished country where women are making a difference, including in education. This week’s installment of the 51% segment “Force of Nature,” from Dr. Sharon Ufberg, focuses on village transformation in Malawi. Ufberg interviews Claudia Sansone, respected chef, culinary producer and member of the culinary elite. Sansone’s most coveted humanitarian project is her work is with United Village Transformation, a nonprofit she founded in Malawi. With United Village Transformation, known as UVT, Sansone applies a holistic approach to sustaining a village. The work includes developing a pilot village in Malawi that includes: creating early childhood and primary education programming and facilities; teaching enhanced agricultural practices; improving water quality and sanitation; offering health and dental care; and working on economic development projects. Sansone says it is women leading the train of change there. And Ufberg asks Sansone why creating United Village Transformation was so important to her.
Ufberg is co-founder of the personal development/wellness company, Borrowed Wisdom, in Napa Valley, California. She regularly blogs for The Huffington Post. Force of Nature is recorded at the InnerVoice Network.
Dr. Al Grauer is an observing member of the Catalina Sky Survey Team at the University of Arizona. The team has led the world in the discovery of Earth approaching objects for the past seven years.
Dr. Grauer is a physicist, observational astronomer and retired professor.
We close our show with an essay from writer Dr. Jeri Burns.
Dr. Jeri Burns is a storyteller, writer, and educator living in New York's Hudson Valley. You can find her at www.storycrafters.com. She also is an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
And that's our show this week. Thanks to Patrick Garrett for production assistance. Our executive producer is Dr. Alan Chartock. Our theme music is Glow in the Dark by Kevin Bartlett. This show is a national production of Northeast Public Radio. If you’d like to hear this show again, sign up for our podcast, or visit the 51% archives on our web site at wamc.org. And follow us on Twitter @51PercentRadio
