Certificate hows users how their $1  is making a difference in Bangladesh.

UNIQLO, a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing under five brands, announces the release of The Value of $1 Android application for smartphones on March 29, the latest initiative in its growing social business program. This initiative extends UNIQLO’s partnership with social business pioneer Grameen by offering smartphone users around the world an opportunity to support educational programs for children in Bangladesh through a single US dollar or equivalent in local currencies.

The Value of $1 project is based on the concept of connecting people around the world through the value of investing one US dollar. By simply purchasing The Value of $1 Android application, smartphone users can directly participate in a social business in a new way. The app supports several languages including English, Japanese, French, Korean and Chinese (simplified and traditional) and will be available to smartphone users around the world for $1 via the Android Market online store.

All the proceeds from the first 10,000* sales of the app will go towards the production of fun learning T-shirts and study booklets designed to promote literacy among children in Bangladesh. Sales of the app will enable Grameen UNIQLO to sell learning sets worth $2 for the equivalent of $1 in local currency. The entire process from manufacturing to marketing will be handled locally and any profits will be reinvested by Grameen UNIQLO into projects designed to contribute to Bangladeshi society through the local production and marketing of clothing.

An App that teaches Bengali language

Smartphone users who register for the project through the app receive an electronic certificate of participation. The certificate will track the progress of the production and marketing process giving participants the opportunity to actually see their $1 investment at work. Users of the app can also download a fun electronic learning aid for Bengali--the official language of Bangladesh.

The pay version of The Value of $1 app is limited to first 10,000 participants. A free version of the app will be available for download after the project ends.  The app costs the equivalent of $1 US. Local currency conversion is calculated based on the exchange rates when sales of the app begin. If the local price after the exchange conversion is below the minimum price permitted on the local Android Market, the app will be priced at the lowest permitted price for that region. For more information about The Value of $1 Android app, please visit: http://www.grameenuniqlo.com

It's only a couple of weeks from now and the whole world will be celebrating Christmas day.

Personally, I am excited for my son Charles on how he would react in all the gifts that my wife and I have brought for him. It's my biggest joy to see his face light up and smile. Whatever that can make him happy is now my lifelong quest.

This morning, as I check my mails and Facebook notifications, an image made me pause for awhile and gave me goosebumps.  It was a hand-written letter from a 6-year old boy named Yuri looking for his mommy Collen Gabrido who went missing since Dec. 6 of this year.  I may not be his father but I can feel his pain of longing for his mom.

Well, this is the first time I'll admit it but sometimes my son seems to look for something that only his mommy can give.  I'll act silly, bring out all the toy and sing along with Disney characters shownon TV when Charles is crying but sometimes I just can't make him stop.  Then, when his mommy comes to the rescue, I don't know what potion she have that she can make him laugh in an instant.

I feel for Yuri. And also for his dad.  My blogger friend Myk Rome, who personally the Gabrido family, was the one who informed me about the incident.



Spreading across social media platforms in the Philippines especially on Facebook is a photo of a woman named Coleen Gabrido who has been reportedly missing since December 6, 2011. What moved me is the letter of a child to his mommy.



 According to Coleen's husband, his wife left home at about 1pm to attend to a review class and never came back. Coleen is a registered nurse and is recently attending a class for her IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for their family's plans to go abroad (Australia/Canada). Before she left their house, Coleen messaged her husband at about 12:40pm on December 6 saying, "Dad, papasok na ako. (Dad, I'm going to school)". That was the last text he received from her. The review center is just 15 minutes away from their home.

Coleen's husband tried to contact her mobile phone upon finding that his wife hasn't returned yet nor replied back to his messages. Her phone was still ringing in December 6 but next day, December 7 after 5pm, she can no longer be contacted.



Coleen is about 5'4" tall with an estimated weight 120-125lbs.  The young mom at 26 had with her, her Nine West black shoulder bag, mobile phone, books and wallet. She did not leave their house with any extra clothing to dispute thoughts that she might have run away. From her review class, Coleen usually arrives at around 10-10:30pm but she did not get to come home since the night of December 6, 2011.

The Gabrido family has already filed a police report but it has been 8 days now. Yuri is very sad and very worried about her mom. Please help Yuri find his mom... it's his only Christmas wish. Have a heart to help in the search.
 
If you have seen Coleen or if you have any information about her whereabouts, please contact immediately  +639159013848 / email limp13ph@yahoo.com

All photos and text below where taken from The Social Media Chameleon's Racing Thoughts.

Image taken from filstar.com.ph

Christmas is just around the corner. Well in our country, the anticipation starts on the first day of the Ber months.

Just in case you're thinking of a good gift to your love ones, why not consider sending those faraway home with a greeting card. Sure, sending snail mails or post card maybe a thing of a past for some people but many still appreciates receiving cards from love ones because you know that that person who sent that letter pour in his/ her heart out in writing a massage for you. I know because I have worked for two years as an OFW.

Then I read this item from www.filstar.com:

With compassion and hope as its prime driving force, Filstar has teamed up with the Leukemic Indigents Fund Endowment (l.i.f.e.) Foundation to create the charitable venture, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. Since its inception in 1995, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. has brought about the creation of a support system that raised public awareness and generated funds for young leukemic indigents through the sale of specially crafted Christmas cards.

Now on its 15th year, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. renews its commitment to these children whose tomorrows deserve a second chance. The 2010 collection of Hallmark for l.i.f.e. reflects the grandeur and sincerity of the Filipino celebration of Christmas. What has made this collection even more special are the local painters, photographers and art collectors who came together and wholeheartedly contributed their works to this noble cause.

Hallmark for l.i.f.e. Year 15 Collection features the masterpieces of famed artist Manuel Baldemor, Nani Reyes, Jovito Andres, Bernardo Maac, Dr Dan Lerma, Mamerto Ronan Yñigo, Dante Hipolito, Vincent “Bing” Reyes, Ysa Gernale, Charlie Val and Francis Nacion.

Christmas is a perfect time for people to strengthen the bonds with their fellowmen. Hallmark provides an opportunity to achieve that and even more. Through Hallmark for l.i.f.e., anyone can bring happiness, inspire hope and save lives with just a greeting card.

Hallmark cards are available in leading bookstores nationwide.