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Jude’s Journey
Jude Monteserrato,
a yoga teacher in Wakefield,
exemplifies the power of yoga to transform the lives of individuals and communities.
Monteserrato,
who describes herself as a former high-strung, corporate-type, took solace in a
yoga studio after loosing her partner of 15 years in the attacks of 9/11.
“My
yoga class was the only place I could find peace during that painful time,” Monteserrato
explained.
Over
the years, yoga not only helped Monteserrato begin to heal, it also led her to become
a certified yoga teacher and make many positive changes in her life, which she now
shares with her partner, physical therapist, Thai massage practitioner and
fellow yoga teacher, Ed Cardinal, of Wakefield.
As part
of her practice, Monteserrato frequently attends workshops and conferences to deepen
her practice and hone her skills.
It was
at one such retreat last fall with internationally-renowned yoga teacher and humanitarian
Seane Corn that Monteserrato was introduced to a program called “Off the Mat, Into
the World” and the “Cambodia Challenge 2009.” "The
moment I heard about this challenge, my soul was deeply touched. As I
reviewed the information and watched the video online about the
children in Cambodia's orphanages, and the conditions they were rescued
from, tears began to run down my face. "At that moment I knew, that in addition to my daily prayers, I needed to take action to make a difference."
Cambodia Challenge 2009
In
February, 2009, Monteserrato, and close to 20 of her yoga colleagues from
around the world, will travel to Phnom
Penh, Cambodia,
to build a well (among other projects) at one of the five orphanages run by the
Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF).
The
children they will be working with have been rescued by CCF from Steung
Meanchey, an 11-acre garbage dump, where they lived and worked (collecting
metal and plastic for recycling).
Through
the work of CCF, the children now attend school and have their basic needs met
for the first time in their lives.
In
order for Monteserrato and her colleagues to participate in the Cambodia
Challenge, each individual must raise $20,000 by December 31.
Monteserrato,
who began fundraising this past spring, is approaching $12,000, and going
strong thanks to the generosity of her family, friends and members of the
community.
SOUPer BOWL
This
coming Saturday, Monteserrato will host a fun and unique fundraiser at the
Church of the Ascension in Wakefield
from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For $30
– an amount which can feed a child in Cambodia three nutritious meals a day for
a full month – participants will receive a beautiful hand-made bowl (donated by
Anni Barnard and Jeanne Wettlaufer), from
which they can sample any number of delicious homemade soups, as well as bread
and dessert.
Traditional
Cambodian music will be played throughout the night by Song Heng.
Monteserrato
will also have “Off the Mat, Into the World” tee-shirts that she designed, as
well as bags that are handmade in Cambodia, for sale.
There
will also be several raffles of donated items like jewelry and gift
certificates throughout the evening.
For
more information about the SOUPer BOWL event or to learn about other ways you
can support Jude’s Journey, call 439-5260 or visit Jude’s website at www.judesjourney.com. back to my writing |
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