2010 Gratitude Challenge - November 18

Today I am thankful for free enterprise.

Just yesterday we had a guest speaker come to our homeschooling co-op. She has been going to the country of Haiti every two months for the last 3-1/2 years. The poverty there is astronomical and it's so much worse since the earthquake at the beginning of the year. There are now riots going on as the citizens feel the UN has spread cholera to the country. On top of everything else there is now a huge outbreak of it on the island.

One disturbing fact she shared was about the orphanage they help. The children there get one meal every three or four days. Not every day. Every three to four days. I simple cannot image it. Thankfully the mission she works with has been able to find sponsors for all of the children there and they should begin to be fed more regularly. If you'd like to learn more about the mission, it's called A Heart For Haiti Missions.

So why does this make me thankful for free enterprise?

Here in the US we have no idea what it's like to live as they do in third world countries. We come up with an idea, market it, and sell it. It really is that simple sometimes.

My boys are in a 4-H club. This past fall they participated in "Money Camp." We meet a few times and discussed what it means to start a business, how to create a product, your market, packaging, advertising, and all the rest that goes with a business. As a "final project" of sorts, we have been taking the kids to craft fairs to sell their wares.

Their first was two weeks ago. Every child sold at least 3-4 items if not more. Their next is this coming week. I'm so excited for them to see what they can do - as children. It's amazing.

While we participated in our Money Camp, I was also inspired to start a business. It's over on etsy.com and it's called Berry Patch Creations. I'm selling copies of photos I've taken. I'm having fun. It's a lot of work - even if you are a SAHM just having fun.

And if you'd like a chance to WIN one of my prints, be sure to check out the giveaway I'm hosting. It ends on Sunday, November 21st at midnight!