[Marianne and Swirly in New Zealand last year.]

I announced last week that my dear friend Marianne Elliott was offering a special version of her online yoga course. Usually costing $100, the October course is offered on a pay-what-you-can basis and Marianne will donate all the money to HIV/AIDS projects in South Africa.  This week I am here to announce that I am honored to be part of a special team of supporters Marianne has assembled to help her raise $20,000 by December 15th for HIV/AIDS projects in South Africa.  Here’s the scoop on how you can be part of this very special endeavor:

For the entire month of October, Ordinary Sparkling Moments will be available in my Etsy shop for $24 instead of $28. I will donate $10 from every book sold to Marianne’s project, of which all the details are explained below in a special Q & A guest entry from Marianne.

To sweeten the deal a little bit more, I’ll also include a FREE set of four notecards as a special Thank You for helping us reach our goal.

Many of you already own a copy of Ordinary Sparkling Moments, so if you have enjoyed this book, please consider purchasing another copy (or two!) this month for a gift!  (In the spirit of total transparency, with the discount and the $10 donation, 100% of my profits from these sales are going to Marianne.)

If you feel inspired, we would appreciate any shout-outs, tweets and anything else you do to help spread the word.

~

A Q & A Guest Entry from Marianne:

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and willingness to help with the Off the Mat (OTM), Into the World Global Seva Challenge for South Africa. My goal is to raise $20,000 by December 15th, which will go to a range of projects supporting people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Why HIV/AIDS? Why South Africa?

The HIV/AIDs epidemic is the leading cause of death in Africa. The statistics are staggering….

The number of premature deaths due to HIV/AIDS has risen significantly over the last decade from 39% to 75% in 2010. The burden upon family members, particularly children and older people caring for terminally ill adults, and the trauma of bereavement and orphanhood compromises the physical and mental well-being of entire households. This all happens in a society where the majority of children live in poverty and 23.2% of the economically active population is unemployed. (Statistics supplied by OTM)

Major natural disasters like the earthquake in Haiti and the floods in Pakistan are putting huge pressure on the international development community. Between this and the ongoing cost of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is a risk that the AIDS epidemic will be overlooked and really impressive local initiatives, initiatives that are already working, will miss out on the resources they need to keep going.

Where will the money go exactly?

All funds will go directly to the Engage Network (the parent organization and 501(c)(3) of Off the Mat), which will then allocate funds to their affiliated partners.

What happens if I meet the $20,000 goal?

If I meet the goal then I get to join Off the Mat, Into the World founders Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling on the the Bare Witness Humanitarian Tour in South Africa. Now, I’ve worked in development and humanitarian work long enough to be deeply sceptical about ‘humanitarian tours’, so why would I want to be part of this one?

Well, firstly I know that Seane and Suzanne have taken great care to ensure that the tour, and this entire project, is grounded in sound development and humanitarian principles. Secondly, as the Regional Leader for Off the Mat in New Zealand and Australia, it is important to me to see how the organisation runs these tours. I need to feel confident myself that they do in fact respect humanitarian principles, and – most importantly – add value to the work of the partners we are supporting. I need to bear witness.

What happens if I don’t meet the $20,000 goal?

All the money raised still goes to these projects, I just don’t get an invitation to join the tour. No harm done to any one, and plenty of good!

In addition to purchasing Ordinary Sparkling Moments during the month of October, here are a few other ways you can support this project:

The first way is through my 30 days of yoga course. The October 30 days of yoga is going to be a very special one, I’m calling it The Karma Edition and every dollar earned on 30 days of yoga in October will go to these projects. Not the profits. Not 10%. Not even 50%. Every dollar.

Usually costing $100, the October course is offered on a pay-what-you-can basis.  Whether you’ve been wanting to try yoga for the first time, or you’ve been going to classes for years but struggle to practice regularly at home, this course will help you take better care of yourself while you support a great cause. Registrations closes October 3rd.  Sign up now.

Zen Peacekeeper Guide to Twitter: pay-what-you-like E-book

Also coming this month, my guide to Twitter is going to be revamped, re-released and offered as a ‘pay-what-you-like’ ebook. If you have already used the guide and found it helpful, this will be your chance to show your gratitude, contribute to a great cause and – I’m sure – increase your good karma!

Raise funds yourself!

I’m also inviting you to do your own fundraising, if 100 people raised $200 we’d have $20,000! If you have other ideas, or if you’d like to volunteer to do your own fundraising events or specials to contribute to my Seva Challenge please get in touch – I would love to hear from you and I’d be so grateful for any support.

Make a donation

Maybe you don’t need a yoga course, a Twitter guide or a fabulous holiday treat? Maybe you’d just like to make a donation? That’s also fabulous and you can do so in several ways:

[For more details on Marianne's Global Seva Challenge click here.]