You won’t want to miss the MMMF 23rd annual International Arts and Crafts Fair, which takes place October 28, 29 and 30, 2008, from 9:45AM until 3:00PM in the World Bank H Building Auditorium, entrance at 1914 G Street, NW. The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) is planning this exciting event, featuring a wide variety of products from around the world, displayed by numerous international vendors, some from indigenous cooperatives or NGO’s.

Come and bring your friends and neighbors (only a photo ID is required) to shop in the market atmosphere with crowds of friends and colleagues bustling around colorful stalls. Start your family holiday shopping or find unique hostess presents for holiday parties, work colleagues, or children’s teachers. Proceeds from the Fair help fund the MMMF’s educational grants to women from developing countries studying at the university level.

Combine lunch hour with a shopping expedition or just have a refreshing break from a morning or afternoon of shopping while enjoying delicious food and beverages at the Fair’s very own Le Café.

The money you spend will help fund the worthy recipients of the MMMF grants. In 2008 the MMMF selected 11 women grant recipients who are motivated and committed to improving conditions for women and children in their respective countries. The 11 current MMMF recipients are studying in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa in graduate fields such as chemistry, agriculture, education, political science, and sustainable development; and policy issues such as labor migrants, counseling of postwar victims, and the impact of globalization on female home-based workers.

You can actively take part in this Washington tradition of having fun while serving a good cause. Founded in 1983, the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) supports women’s education and encourages women to undertake leadership roles. To date, the MMMF has awarded 134 educational grants to women from 57 developing countries. For the first time in its history, MMMF awarded grants in a pilot project to women studying outside the U.S. or Canada. These grants went to two women, one from Mozambique and the other from Zimbabwe, studying at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Although engaging in diverse fields of study, the recipients share a vision and hope for effecting improvements in their communities. Most have significant personal records of volunteering and work. Their histories, achievements, aspirations, and commitment inspire many from the World Bank community to volunteer annually to help with the MMMF Fair. Please join in by volunteering, cooking, shopping, or all of the above to make this year’s Fair a great success.

To quote a 2006 MMMF recipient:

“I am glad that I can give something back to MMMF. And thanks again to MMMF for your kind support in 2006 that helps me to do more development work here in this region.”

Sarah Brau
MMMF Board Member