Many of you have read the story I wrote about a courageous acid attack victim from Kampala, Uganda named Juliette on this blog. HDNet’s World Report aired an “in her own words” piece about Juliette that I produced for the show on April 14. It is a very powerful story and Juliette’s ability to forgive her attacker and move on is inspirational. I hope you are as transformed by Juliette’s … Continue reading Acid Attacks: Juliette’s Story
Many thanks to PBS producer Patti Parson, Associate Producer Rebecca Jacobson and the folks at The Newshour with Jim Lehrer for the wonderful story they did on BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) on Thursday’s program. Every time the NGO gets national exposure of this kind the phones ring off the hook and more and more people join the fight against global poverty. Together we are making a difference and … Continue reading BeadforLife on The Newshour
I love Passover. The Jewish holiday is meaningful, joyous and delicious. I look forward all year long to the celebration around the table with friends and family. What’s not to love about a dinner that lasts all evening and ends with the poignant words “next year in Jerusalem.” It is always a memorable night. So imagine my surprise when I saw the advertisement in the … Continue reading 30 Minute Seder
I recently got to know a fabulous freelance writer named Jamie Simons who writes the Grateful Traveler article for Peter Greenberg’s blog. Peter Greenberg is the travel expert who is a frequent guest on NBC’s Today Show. I met him a couple years ago when I was producing for him at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. If you haven’t read his blog you should … Continue reading Grateful Traveler
Ever since I traveled to Kampala, Uganda in 2006 I have wanted to tell the story about the village BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) was creating with its members. On our first visit we learned that affordable housing was a dream for the women who were trying to lift themselves out of extreme life crushing poverty. Almost all wished for a home that they would own rather than rent. They … Continue reading Friendship Village
I had my first photos ever in a gallery. A call for entries went out for a juried exhibit at Flash Gallery in Denver (http://workingwithartists.org) and two of my photos were selected. The subject of the exhibit was “Home is Where the Heart Is” and photographers were encouraged to submit their visions of what home means. Proceeds from the exhibit will go to help the Denver Rescue … Continue reading Amazing Grace
Juliette dreams of someday marrying a nice man. One unlike the monster who poured acid on her in a jealous rage in July 2007. We are sitting with this young woman, just 19 years old, on a porch near a church in Kampala, Uganda. Juliette is beautiful on the side of her face that she shows to the world. Her eyes are bright and she has a radiant … Continue reading Juliette’s Acid Attack
My friend, Deborah Sharp, has just written her first book. “Mama Does Time” is a gentle murder mystery with colorful characters and a brilliantly developed sense of place. It is set in central Florida and is full of Southern wit and details. The caper begs you to keep turning the page. It reads like an Alexander McCall Smith novel. It won’t scare you or keep … Continue reading Deborah Sharp’s “Mama Does Time”
There were two places on my must see list on this journey to China and this past weekend in an Olympic sightseeing marathon I visited both. On Saturday friends and I flew to Xian for a whirlwind day trip to see the Terra Cotta Warriors and on Sunday three of us visited the Great Wall of China. The Terra Cotta Warriors are amazing to ponder. … Continue reading Ginger and the Great Wall
Sunday in Beijing and I feel the city is mine. The sky is a beautiful blue (yes, it does happen) and the sun is out. In two and a half weeks I have found a French bakery for cappuccinos, a restaurant I love called Hutong Pizza and I rode the subway. I’m making my way through the city with confidence. Today I decide to visit … Continue reading For the love of Panda Bears
Vicky Collins Online 