Stitch Sainte Luce is a sustainable embroidery project in South-East Madagascar. Supported by SEED Madagascar, it provides local women with a livelihood of their own which pays fairly, is not affected by seasonal weather, and spares the environment. The embroiderers produce beautiful handmade goods featuring local flora and fauna, as well as patterns and geometric […]
A few weeks ago I wrote about my experiences with face blindness and my inability to picture things mentally. I confess I was more than a little nervous writing the piece, but the response has been amazing. I’ve heard from people who’ve had similar experiences and fascinating insights. I’ve also been asked some interesting questions, […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in many countries around the World. Back in the UK, it’s being marked from May 12-18th by a number of charities and institutions, including the Mental Health Foundation and Anxiety UK. Stigma “Why is mental health important?” “Isn’t it just in your head?” “Depression is just being sad, everybody […]
Want to help us win £25,000 in funding for an amazing project? Head over to the EOCA website and vote for Project Miaro. You don’t need to register, or give your email address, or anything else. Just click 3 times and you’re done. Vote Project Miaro now! Don’t put it off! Voting closes March 31st. Detailed […]
Ingredients 4 bunches fresh lychees 500 ml clear rum 1 empty 1.75 litre water bottle (Eau Vive works nicely) Optional 50 grams granulated sugar Preparation Peel the lychees, and remove the seeds. Pop each one into the water bottle, and continue filling until you reach the bottom of the label (about 0.75 litre). Fill to […]
As you all know, I recently moved to Madagascar to take a job with Azafady, a partnership of a UK charity and Malagasy NGO, working on development and conservation projects in South-East Madagascar. Having previously been on a short-term volunteering scheme with Azafady in 2012, I have been following their work ever since, and jumped at […]
After 29 pasta-filled and flavour-light days, February is finally over. I’m pleased to say I succeeded with my aim to spend no more than £37.27 this month. In the end, I managed to stick to £37.03 (suggestions for things to buy with that last 24p in the comments please!). I was very pleased to be […]
I’m now 8 days into my Frugal February challenge to live off just £37.27 for a whole month. It hasn’t been an easy week – I got sick at the end of January, and still haven’t gotten rid of the cough. To add to the challenge, my boiler broke down so the flat was without […]
As I mentioned on my Madagascar fundraising page, I’ve been working on a few more unusual ideas for sponsored events. It’s partly because I’ve done most of the obvious sponsored events before, and partly because I want a bit more of a challenge. More than 90% of the population in Madagascar live on less than two […]
This weekend (2nd – 4th April), I’ll be part of a team entering the 48 hour film challenge 2011, hosted by Sci-Fi London. Along with some FXhome staffers and a bunch of others, we’ll be attempting to write, shoot and edit a short film (up to five minutes in length) according to the brief Sci-Fi […]