Auction Fundraiser: The Energy to Build a Better World!

Note: The auction is now closed, but please consider supporting the Council for Renewable Energy in Nigeria directly: http://www.renewablenigeria.org/donate

Dear family, friends, and renewable energy enthusiasts,

Recently, I've been given the opportunity to return to Calabar, Nigeria for two years. I will be working as a volunteer through VSO Canada for CREN. CREN is an emerging network working to connect renewable energy stakeholders in Nigeria. I am looking forward to learning from the people there and supporting their projects! I am also looking forward to sharing with you what I learn during this time, while keeping up with what is going on with you on this side of the world.

I chose to volunteer with VSO because of its commitment to working in partnership with local people and its significant experience in Nigeria. I very strongly identify with their mission statement: VSO promotes volunteering to fight global poverty and disadvantage. We bring people together to share skills, creativity and learning to build a fairer world. I am fortunate to work with an organization with this humble perspective and 40 years of experience in Nigeria, and am confident they will help ensure I will be both effective and safe during my time there.

As a way to support this very worthwhile organization (one that will be looking after me for the next two years!) I am auctioning off a handcrafted energy efficient lamp (designed and co-produced by yours truly and a very talented electrical engineer). The description is posted below and the eBay auction itself is here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140032480061. Note: the auction ends September 27th, Wednesday evening at 8:29 pm EST.

I am asking for your support for VSO and this work by:
- forwarding this to those you know who might be interested in bidding
- bidding yourself
- if lamps aren't your thing, consider contributing to VSO through my secure donations page: http://www.vsocanada.ca/display.aspx?pid=499&cid=693

I hope you can find it in your heart to give to this worthwhile charity, but in case you are not able to, please just send me supportive thoughts and emails during my two year commitment.

Much thanks and all the best,
Monica





WIN THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND LAMP AND
SUPPORT AN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHARITY

100% of the proceeds of this auction go to Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Canada.

VSO promotes volunteering to fight global poverty and disadvantage. VSO brings people together to share skills, creativity and learning to build a better world.

VSO is also the organization that will be looking after me as I spend the next two years in Nigeria working on renewable energy projects, so please bid generously!

The winner of this auction will get to pick one of the three creations shown here.
Each unique vase contains three leafy stems, each with a CFL bulb “blossoming” out of its end. Included are 3 different energy saving CFL bulbs that have the equivalent bright brightness of a 40W, 60W and 100W incandescent bulbs. The can be turned on individually or in combination: Use them for mood lighting or to light up an entire room!

Five high-quality, life-like accent flowers are artfully arranged in the vase’s stable gravel-filled base, giving it the beauty of a floral arrangement and utility of a lamp all in one! A single discreet cord slips out of the back of the vase and plugs into the wall.

Each creation has been lovingly hand-crafted by a certain electrical engineer and renewable energy development worker with the utmost care and quality. They were made knowing each one would be put to good use: both supporting sustainable energy in Nigeria and at home!

To learn more about the work your donation will support, please visit my official VSO donation page at: http://www.vsocanada.ca/display.aspx?pid=499&cid=693

Happy bidding and good luck!

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