In the new year make a difference!

Last NYE after midnight and after the fireworks plus the obligatory sing along to "Auld lang syne" died down I was asked what resolutions I had for the new year.
Normally I don't participate as I think change should be something we partake in on a daily basis and not only once a year!
So when we were approached by The Craftivist Collective to help promote their "I'm a piece" project it was without hesitation that we readied our selves to tell you all about them and this wonderful project...

As a fellow crafter I’m calling on you to start 2013 by using what you do - craft - to help end world hunger! By partaking in the "I'm a piece" campaign you'll be joining others and we believe in strength in numbers so this project is right up our street!



Why?
* Because in a world were we know how to solve hunger we still have 2.3 million children across the world die because of hunger every year
* If world leaders invest in life saving interventions that work (like supporting small-scale farmers, teaching people about healthy eating etc) it could save 1 million lives each year

Why now?
The UK and our Prime Minister David Cameron are hosting the G8 Summit in 2013 where world leaders meet to discuss international issues
Cameron, has already said that he will put hunger at the top of the agenda of world leaders - we just need to make sure he sticks to his word & commits to the UK giving more international aid (a tiny 0.7% of our GDP) and championing the small and brilliant projects across the word already tackling hunger so more projects like them can be created and sustained.
Our deadline for getting all the jigsaw pieces in is 28 February which gives you time to do a few minutes a week or complete a piece one evening or weekend but will go in a blink of an eye too if we aren’t careful.

How can little-old-me be a piece of the solution?
You can stitch messages onto material jigsaw pieces which will be put together to make a HUGE creative, crafty installation alternative to a petition that Save the Children will show off to our Government, the public and World Leaders showing that hundreds, even thousands of us, want, with world leaders, to be a part of the solution to hunger, not the problem. You can also give a jigsaw piece to your local MP to remind them to be a part of the solution too or at least tell them about the piece you made for the installation.

This our piece that we presented to our MP Stella Creasy

For further information, templates and other ways you can help visit:  http://imapiece.craftivist-collective.com/

A bit about the Craftivist Collective...

Craftivist Collective is a group of individuals who believe in the power of craft to make a difference. They are known for their mini-banners and public stitch-ins, and aim to expose and tackle injustice and poverty through provocative, non-violent action. Fin out more here:  http://craftivist-collecive.com

Save The Children works in more than 20 countries, saving the lives of children, fighting for their rights and helping them fulfill their potential. You can find out more about the "Race Against Hunger" campaign here: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk