On Saturday, March 27 Nourish hosted its second annual Battle of the Bands at Main Mall, where about 500 people watched local Austin bands battled to fight poverty. Nourish would like to thank Student Government, Chili's, Plucker's, Domino's Pizza, Pie Guys Pizzeria, Texas Tea, The Yogurt Spot, Juicy Tart, and other local vendors for providing food and other contributions. That evening, Strawberry JAM walked away with $100 as winner of Nourish International's Battle of the Bands.

On Thursday, March 4, Nourish International - Austin Chapter was trailing in seventh place with only approximately $600 on the Global Giving leader board. Over night the Austin chapter jumped to third place with about $2,000 under its name. By the time the deadline (March 9) rolled around, the Austin chapter and Ohio State chapter were duking it out for first place. When the dust settled, the Austin chapter finished on top with $4,330 and an additional $2,000 for their efforts as the prize.

Global Giving, an organization that connects donors with community-based projects that need support, has graciously provided Nourish International – Austin Chapter with a means for achieving our goal of $5,750. Now, potential donors can access our project online via Global Giving. Our project will build workshops and train the Kichwa in business skills to ensure steady income from traditional handicrafts. This will also allow for the preservation of the rainforest and the Kichwa lifestyle in Chipaota, Peru.

In addition to this, the national chapter of Nourish International has offered us the Global Giving Challenge, in which thirteen Nourish International chapters across the nation compete to raise the most funds in exchange for monetary awards that will go towards our respective projects. The challenge runs from February 17 through March 9. The project that receives the most funds through Global Giving will be awarded $2,000. The second and third place projects will receive $1,000 and $500 respectively. The project that receives the highest number of donors will be awarded $1,000. Global Giving will also allow us to continue to receive donations through www.globalgiving.com if we raise a minimum of $3,000 from at least 50 different donors.

Come to Nourish International’s annual Battle of the Bands on Saturday, March 27th from 6 pm to 12 midnight in The University of Texas at Austin's Main Mall, where eight local bands will perform for a chance to win a prize. But they’re not the only ones getting prizes; come out to Battle of the Bands, and you could win one of the many prizes available in our raffle! If your band is interested in participating in Battle of the Bands, contact botb@nourishinternationalaustin.org for audition information ASAP.

Come check out Face Aids' Condom Couture fashion show where Nourish International - Austin Chapter will showcase our very own designs made entirely from condoms. The event will be held Friday, April 29th at 7:30 pm in UTC 2.112 to raise awareness in the UT campus of issues such as gender inequity, sexual health, and HIV/AIDS. Be sure to check our progress in our next month’s issue of our newsletter.

Nourish International – Austin Chapter at the University of Texas is an organization dedicated to eradicating poverty by engaging students and empowering communities. Every year we raise money through student-run ventures (such as Hunger Lunches, Battle of the Bands, etc.) for an international summer project involving sustainable development.

There are 1,300 people in the Mushuk Llacta de Chipaota tribe depending on unsustainable rates of Piassaba fiber harvests for crafts from the rainforest. They face over 50% malnutrition in the community and travel long distances to find the Piassaba tree because of deforestation. The problem has grown to the extent of encroachment upon national preserves. This summer our chapter, in conjunction with Rainforest Partnership, will travel to Chipaota, Peru to provide the Kichwa artisans with workshops and training to start an environmentally friendly handicrafts business while preserving the indigenous culture. In addition, a plant nursery will be built to supply the villagers with the necessary Piassaba fibers without the harmful effects of deforestation.

Shakira informs President Barack Obama of her efforts at providing children with a fair start. Her initiative will provide children six years of age and younger with adequate nutrition and access to health care. Click Here for more information.