A friend of mine was on her way home from work yesterday and noticed a young woman crying. My friend went over to her and asked her if she was ok. (Well, obviously she wasn't, but you know, it was a conversation starter.) The friend asked a number of more immediate questions: Can you get home? Do you need anything? Can I do anything to help? 
After exhausting the more obvious, my friend just asked 'Would you like a hug?'.  
The crying woman smiled.

I have been in awe of the work of Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, for some time and can't believe it's taken me this long to post about it. Dr Hamlin has a dream to eradicate obstetric fistula for Ethiopian women. At the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital women are treated for this which not only puts their health at risk, but they are ostracised by their family and community. Dr Hamlin has created a safe place where women can go for treatment and are valued for the beautiful people that they are. But it doesn't stop there. Dr Hamlin has also set up a college that trains midwives so that there is greater opportunity to avoid obstetric fistula.

This is a wonderful organisation and they have current campaign to fundraise 600 for 600: 600 fistula operations at $600.

So, hit up 60 of your friends for $10 each and donate here.

My office decided to direct funds from this month's casual days to theMotor Neurone Disease Association.  MND is a degenerative desease of the nerve cells which control the muscles we use to function - breath, speak, move.  MND progresses quickly and is a death sentence, with survival after diagnosis averaging less than 3 years.  The MNDASA has various ways that it provides support to sufferers and carers.  You may also consider donation to research in this are via the MND Research Institute of Australia.