In late 2009, while working out at 24-Hour Fitness, I had the pleasure of meeting Baboucarr Jallow, an outstanding and highly respected referee for MLS (Major League Soccer).  The two of us got to talking about soccer and our lives in general, and when I asked Baboucarr where he was from originally before relocating to the Federal Way, Washington area, he replied, “I am from The Gambia.”  With his really nifty accent, that sounded very exotic to me. 

I spent some time researching his home country after that and discovered how The Gambia’s medical system could really use some assistance given its high levels of diabetes, HIV, malaria and other illnesses.  Public expenditure was at 1.8 % of the GDP in 2004, whereas private expenditure was at 5.0 %. Infant mortality was at 97 per 1,000 births in 2005. There were 11 physicians per 100,000 persons in the early 2000s. Life expectancy at birth was at 59.9 years for females and 57.7 years for males in 2005.  According to the World Health Organization, in 2005 an estimated 78.3% of Gambia’s girls and women have suffered female genital mutilation.

It was at that moment the idea struck me how he and I could make a difference if we only put our minds together and formulated a plan.

Since our initial discussion about what we could set as a goal, we have met some very interesting people.  Through my friendships with people, we have involved with this project, among others:  David Corner from “The Gathering Place,” helping with medical supplies and equipment.  David is a wonderful person who has helped out other African nations with medical relief activities over the years.  Also, another friend of mine has been rounding up medical supplies from local hospitals as part of this project as well.  Antonio Sanchez, currently employed as Senior Analyst and Coordinator of Economic Development and International Relations with the office of Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, has been invaluable with our international communication needs.  Sanna Nyassi, from The Gambia and former Seattle Sounder soccer great, was asked and agreed to be our spokesperson and carry our message to The Gambia’s government.

Sanna came back from The Gambia with a list of needed medical supplies and David Corner has matched that list with available supplies on hand…it was a 100% match!!   

However, we still have another difficult part of this project to overcome, raising sufficient capital to ensure proper and secure delivery of the medical supplies and equipment.  If you are interested in helping our project along and would like to know what you can do to help this worthy project make it to the finish line, please contact either Baboucarr or me by dialing (253) 661-2711 or send an email to rgflygare@aol.com and we will be more than happy to get in touch with you.

Wishing you all the best in 2011 ~ 

One of the few good things about this difficult economy is that it seems to help us to focus on the really important things.  A handmade gift this holiday season can tell those important people in your life that they are worth something more than money, they are worth TIME.  Here are a couple of ideas for some simple to make gifts that are inexpensive to put together and are both elegant and delicious.   

I hope your holiday is filled with handmade gifts. 

Rainbow Bean Soup Mix in a Quart Jar

Ingredients For Jar: 

Generous ¾ cup each of the following beans:
Dried Red Beans
Dried Great Northern Beans
Dried Split Peas
Dried Lentils
Dried Black Beans 

Seasonings: (Mix and place in a thin zipper sandwich bag) 

2 Tbsp. Minced Onion

2 Tbsp. Beef Bouillon Granules

2 Tbsp. Dried Parsley Flakes

2 Tsp. Dried Basil

2 Tsp. Powered Lemonade Mix with Sugar

1 ½ Tsp. Chili Powder

1 Tsp. Garlic Powder

1 Tsp. Pepper

1 Tsp. Dried Oregano

NOTES:  A wide mouth quart jar works best because you can get your fingers into it easier but a regular quart jar works well too.  For a real rainbow of colors look in your bulk food section for red lentils or yellow split peas.  If you can’t find any use brown lentils or pick a colorful dry bean of your choice for this layer.

 Directions:
 Place each type of beans in jar in the order listed above.  Top with seasoning bag.  Gently flatten bag so it can be seen from all sides of the jar.  Put lid on jar.  You can decorate jar with a piece of fabric over the top and then put the screw on ring over the fabric to hold it in place.

 Attach the following recipe on a card to the jar.

Rainbow Bean Soup 

Remove seasoning packet.  Set aside.  Rinse beans.  Place beans in a large microwave safe dish.  Cover with water 1″ to 2″ over top of beans.  Cover dish loosely with plastic wrap.  Microwave on high 15 minutes rotating after 7 minutes.  Drain and rinse beans very well.  Place beans in a large pan/pot.  Add 8 cups water and 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes and seasoning packet.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Lower heat, cover pan and simmer 1 ½ hours or until beans are tender.  Stir occasionally.  Makes 12 cups of soup.

Option:  Top the jar with a 5 oz. can of ham.  Then change the recipe directions to add water, tomatoes, ham, etc.

Creamy Cheese Soup in a Pint Jar

 1 (1.5 oz.) Packet Knorr Four Cheese Sauce Mix

1 ½ Tsp. Chicken Bouillon granules

¼ Tsp. Pepper

1 (1.4 oz.) Packet Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix

2 Tbsp. Dried Parsley Flakes

1 ½ Cups Powdered Coffee Creamer

2 Tbsp. Corn Starch

 Mix ½ packet cheese sauce mix, 1 ½ tsp. Chicken bouillon granules and pepper together. 

 Mix ½ pack of vegetable soup mix and parsley together.

 Mix powdered coffee creamer and cornstarch together.

 Place cheese mixture in jar first.  Press down firmly.

Place vegetable mixture in jar next.  Press down firmly.

Place coffee creamer mixture into jar next.  Add a little more creamer if necessary to fill jar. 

Put lid on jar. 

Decorate jar with a piece of cloth before putting ring on jar.  Or attach ribbons and/or bows onto jar after putting ring on jar.

 Attach the following recipe written on a recipe card to the jar.

Creamy Cheese Soup 

Empty jar of soup mix into a medium pan.  Mix dry ingredients well with a whisk.  Add 2 ½ cups boiling water.  Mix well with whisk.  Bring to a boil.  Boil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, scraping bottom of pan often.  Makes 3 cups soup.

NOTE:  You can always double the recipe and place in a quart jar instead of a pint jar.  Wide mouth jars work best.