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Author Archives: Brian Duckett

Nepal Earthquake Aid 2015

As many of you are aware, on Saturday April 25, 2015 a devastating earthquake hit Nepal greatly affecting their largest city & capital, Kathmandu.  Nepal & Kathmandu especially are near & dear to Gypsy Rose’s heart for many reasons.  We have established lasting relationships with some wonderful people there & we consider them part of the Gypsy Rose Family. For over 20 years we have worked as a team to create and maintain jobs for both Nepalese and Americans.

 

Our thoughts & prayers are with the many people affected by this horrible event in Nepal, India, Tibet and other locations.  Gypsy Rose’s owner was actually in Kathmandu, Nepal when this event occurred.  He is ok & we are so thankful.  He is extending his stay in Kathmandu to offer his assistance to the people.

 

In these first few days we are only partially aware of the dire circumstances facing the citizens of Kathmandu.  Many people are displaced & living in makeshift tent cities.  The actual government has only been able to set up a few official shelters.  And many others are simply outside in unseasonably cold and wet conditions.   They only have limited medical attention available to assist the injured.  Not to mention those who may still be trapped in the rubble.  Water, food and electricity are scarce.  The lack of these necessities is leading to a breaking point.  They need aid right now to prevent further devastation as supplies run out.

 

Nepal’s government does not alone have the infrastructure & resources to sufficiently provide the aid & care that is needed for such a catastrophic event.  The Nepalese people do not have the insurance & access to credit & financial assistance that first world nations have.  That is why outside international aid is so gravely important.

 

Gypsy Rose is asking you to help.  We are collecting money to send directly to Nepal which will go 100% to the people.  Since our owner is physically at the site, this helps us to assess what gaps are not being covered by the big emergency organizations.  This first hand knowledge then allows him to purchase directly whatever will help the most.  We have followed this pattern before in our past efforts in providing aid & these methods have proven successful.  We will be posting updates on money raised & the different projects funded as the days unfold.  Today is still day one as we move into a time of recovery.

 

We thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support,

Gypsy Rose

Please click here to go to the donation options:

http://www.gypsyrose.com/products/help-for-the-people-of-nepal/

Remembering Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Gypsy Rose would like to honor the life of one of the world’s most remarkable figures, the late Nelson Mandela, the President of the Republic of South Africa from 1994-1999.  Among his many accomplishments & hardships Mandela will no doubt be most remembered for his quest to bring unity to his homeland and abroad.  Mandela faced great odds in his fight against human rights abuses.  The young Rolihlahla Mandela lived in a different South Africa than the one we know today.   Segregation had existed before in South Africa while it was a colony of Great Britain & Holland.  The government institution of apartheid in the mid 1900s furthered this segregation.  Apartheid drew deep divisions between the races which greatly affected the black majority along socio-economic lines while the ruling white minority enjoyed prosperity.  Through his opposition to these human rights inequalities, Mandela faced trials and ultimately a conviction of conspiracy which led to his infamous 27 years behind bars.  After years of international and internal pressure, South Africa abolished apartheid and allowed multiracial elections after his release in 1990.  And in 1994 Nelson Mandela became president, the first black citizen to do so.  He did not begin his term with bitter, vindictive retribution but rather he worked with his fellow white citizens to try to improve relations in South Africa.  Unity, not division, led the way.  It was not an easy time for him or South Africa but the nation made great steps as the century came to a close.  Nelson Mandela and South Africa, like many people and nations throughout history, are not without their critics.  But from their struggles and successes we can all learn and hopefully improve our world

Gypsy Rose strives to continue to spread the word of peace & unity.  You’ve seen the words and the slogans throughout our catalog & website pages: COEXIST, PEACE, ONE PEOPLE ONE WORLD ONE LOVE, HARMONY, RESPECT, COMPASSION, LIVE YOUR DREAMS, WE MUST BE THE CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.  But they are not just mere words and slogans.  They represent powerful lessons, teachings & beliefs which apply to all people and all nations throughout history.  From a man who rose from the strife of early 1900s South Africa to your own story in your own town, these words echo Gypsy Rose’s message of love, peace and unity.  Long live the memory of the great Nelson Mandela.

Peace, Gypsy Rose