Cookies For Africa

Chapelgate Presbyterian Church graciously allows me to use their licensed, insured, huge, efficient kitchen every Tuesday evening. This has been advantageous in several ways – first, it keeps CFA legal! Second, the kitchen’s incredible resources allow me to finish my week’s baking at least three times faster than at home. And third, I never leave without having had some encouraging and interesting conversation with someone – it’s a very busy church!! One evening, I met an incredible woman who lived in Africa for many years and witnessed first-hand the devastation that malaria brings. Several weeks later, as the leader of Pioneer Girls, she invited me to talk about malaria, Child Alive, and Cookies For Africa to 90 girls and their parents at Pioneer Girl’s closing program.

Both to express my gratitude for the opportunity AND because nothing sells cookies like cookies, I quickly made about 180 of these little minis (90 bags worth).

My mom grows the most beautiful impatiens beneath their back hedge every year. I always think its such a shame that you can’t cut impatiens and bring them inside. But you can enjoy a bowl of these cookies inside! They won’t last long, however… I call them “poppers” , because they’re just the size to pop into your mouth.

I was so very grateful for this opportunity to share the staggering facts and moving anecdotes that motivate me to do whatever we can to prevent malarial fevers in Western Africa. If you know of a venue where I can talk about malaria, Child Alive, or Cookies For Africa, I would welcome the opportunity, however brief it may be. This five minute talk generated a lot of interest!