Vision Trip to Costa Rica

www.mytradesofhope.com/sharicaruso My name is Shari Caruso.  I am a retired Family and Consumer Science (Home Economics) teacher.  Since retiring, I have become ordained and gotten my license to perform weddings ceremonies.  In the past five years I have pronounced over 400 couples husband and wife. This past February, while flying home, I met a woman who was returning from a conference for a business called Trades of Hope.  I believe this woman was put on that plane (her flight was canceled causing her to change flights) so we could meet and she could share the story of Trades of Hope with me.  I learned that Trades of Hope is a business that empowers women out of poverty by creating a sustainable business and a thriving marketplace for products made by global artisans.  Women around the world live in slums, work in sweatshops, and are victims of the sex trades.  These women don't want charity.  They want an opportunity. Trades of Hope offers the opportunity to improve their own and their children's lives by marketing their handmade products.  I became a Compassionate Entrepreneur for Trades of Hope on February 2nd.  Due to my passion and my sales, I am one of 20 women (out of 3000) chosen to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica.  I will be leaving June 23rd and returning June 29th.   This means I do need funds as soon as possible. This mission trip will allow me to meet some of the artisans--women whose lives and families have been changed by the opportunity Trades of Hope offers them.  I believe the friendships formed, the stories shared and the bonds created between the artisans and the Trades of Hope group as a result of this mission trip are ones that will enrich and bless the lives of both.  The funds I raise will be used to pay for my round trip airline ticket from Cleveland to Costa Rica, approximately $550.  There is an additional charge of $850 that needs to be paid directly to Trades of Hope to cover room and board.  Since we will be spending time with women and their families, I also want to take a bookbag full of treats--candy, crayons, stickers, etc.  Lastly, I need spending money that will mostly be used to purchase more of the products being made by the artisans.  This trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I believe will change my life.