Well, it has most certainly been a busy and productive first year for the jewelry enterprise initiated by Joan Skinkle and supported and managed by David Brown. This income generation endeavour is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the work Atzin (formerly Caminamos Juntos) in Tlamacazapa, Mexico. There have been several impressive achievements in the first twelve months of the jewelry initiative.

A total of fourteen events have been hosted, both in private homes and at community gatherings. The CBC report on daily life in Tlama and the work of Susan Smith has been presented to more than four hundred people, most of whom were not previously aware of the place, the people, or the inspiring community development taking place there.

A dedicated team of volunteers assists with inputting inventory, pricing and sales. In addition to the very solid start in the Hastings and Prince Edward County area, there are promising signs of interest in the Ottawa area. Following several events in that area, and an article in the EMC newspaper, we have had a number of inquiries for home parties and community events for 2009. We are now assisting a longtime colleague of Susan Smith to become stocked, ready and available to respond to interest in the Ottawa area.

Home parties and community events are also being booked in the Quinte area for 2009. If you are interested in hosting a home party or arranging a presentation and sale for your church or community group, please call David or Janice at

oneworld@reztel.net

Party on!

Janice and David

(1924-2009) Joan Skinkle, was a lifelong activist and founding board member of The Tlama Clean Water Project, will have a birthing room named in her honour at the Atzin Women's Wellness Centre to be constructed in Tlamacazapa. Joan was presented with a dedication plaque for the birthing room in May 2008, at a gala fundraising sale of jewelry, an initiative undertaken by Joan in the Quinte area, to provide financial support for the work of Atzin. The plaque is the first tangible item of the multi-purpose wellnesscenter, which is slated for construction to begin in 2009.