Meet the official MASCOTS of New Moon

Dutch "Mr. Big Brown Doodie" Kurtz

Enjoys long naps on new rugs (especially special orders fresh from Nepal), dabbling in the most up to date orthopedic procedures and keeping his colon as clean as possible.

Herr Snooperson "Holstein" Kurtz

Enjoys eating wool poms, open mouth kissing and bounding with reckless abandon.  Will sell for large sums of cash (contact Erika@newmoonrugs.com)

*New Moon does not employee child labor, excluding canines under the age of 6 years old. 

 

At New Moon, we make rugs!  But being a small, family owned company that is very close with our production staff in Nepal, it is also extremely important for us to be socially conscious. 

When I visit Nepal, I live, eat and sleep with our partners and their family.  Having spent so much time over there, I now consider them my second family.  Since our partners live within the compound where we also house our entire production, the weavers and their children are also considered part of the extended family.  I feel such a close connection and sense of camaraderie with all of our staff and friends, that the social and political issues that they face are also close to my heart (and the heart of New Moon!).

One of the issues that is particularly important to New Moon is healthcare.  Not only do we provide healthcare for our weavers and their children (through a program to which they help contribute themselves), but John Kurtz (my dad!), is also one of the board members for the Nepal Cleft and Burn Center. 

This center is currently operating its offices out of another hospital in Kathmandu while the new center is being built.  All of the board members and many contributors have been able to raise enough money to build the center its own facility, which will increase its space and the number of people that they are able to help.  While I was in Nepal on my last trip I was able to visit the site where they have started excavating for the new center.  It was very exciting to see things progressing....especially in Nepal.

The Cleft and Burn center is run almost completely from donations, grants and volunteers from all over the world.  It is a truly amazing group of people and doctors who have come together to help treat people who have been disfigured.  In Nepal I was able to meet with the Chairman of the Board for the center, visit with doctors and patients, learn about the details of how the program is run and tour the facilities. 

 It is incredible what these doctors are able to do on such a limited budget.  For roughly $200 US, a cleft lip can be repaired, a nose can be reconstructed, hand and foot deformities can be repaired and people can be given the chance of a normal life without disfigurement. 

Many of these people are marginalized by society for their disfigurements, something that can last a lifetime without the help of people like those who work at the Cleft and Burn Center.  Burns especially occur so frequently mainly because cooking is done over an open fire, and the scars can last a lifetime.  Children are exposed to the terrible effects of accidents that can happen in the blink of an eye and unfortunately their families are not able to afford any surgeries that can help them from living their entire lives disfigured.

The lasting effects can be catastrophic, the women can't get married, people are unable to work and support their families and they live a life riciduled and outcasted from the general public.  For something that we as Americans consider surgically relatively simple, without this care these poor people live deprived lives.   Even the smallest contribution has a big magnified effect in Nepal and helps to change lives.

 I was so juiced after meeting everyone and experiencing the mission of the center in Nepal, that I have decided to personally contribute in any way that I can.  One of my currents projects is to collect monetary donations for the center as well as to appeal to pharmaceutical companies and local healthcare institutions to collect medical supplies and much needed antibiotics.  If you or anyone you know are interested in making a donation, please contact me at Erika@newmoonrugs.com. 

The one part of my volunteer work with the center that I am most excited about is participating in a surgery camp.  Part of the program at the center is that there are regular surgery and therapy camps that are hosted throughout the countryside (not just in the Kathmandu Valley) to perform procedures on those who do not have access to the oppurtunities available in Kathmandu.  For a weeks time, a temporary surgery center is set up to give these people access to the medical and plastic services that they need.

On my next trip to Nepal in October, I will be attending one of the week long surgery camps to assist in any way possible with the doctors and staff.  It is going to be an enlightening and exciting experience.  I am hoping to make this an annual event to really help make a difference. 

If you are interested in any additional information about the Cleft and Burn Center of Nepal, please let me know. 

Stay tuned for further adventures....there are always more to come! 

I have just recently returned from Nepal, spending time with my Nepali "family" and checking on our production to make sure everything is running smoothly.  I visit Nepal as often as possible, to see both the friends I have made through our business and to have as much as a hands on approach with our production that time allows (given that I am the Production Manager and all)!  Each time I visit Kathmandu a new experience is always in store for me.  You never know quite what to expect when you arrive.  Is there a strike?  Is the electricity on or off?  Is there a cow blocking the road (literally)?  Is someone getting married?  Is it a holiday?  There is never a dull moment for sure. 

This past trip, I happened to be visiting during a holiday called Holi.  Let's just say that tihis is quite an experience I will never forget.  To this moment I still don't know exactly what the holiday is about....but I do know that celebration is involved for sure.  I would almost equate the experience to our Mischief Night, but with a lighthearted and holistic feel.  The real fun was that the day before Holi, I was not given very much information other than that tomorrow would be "Color War." 

My first question was, "will anything stain?"  I was assured that there would be no problems, which if you have ever visited Nepal you would be laughing, since that is often the response to any question you ask wether it is a problem or not!  So I woke up the morning of Holi, dressed in clothes I would not mind throwing away and met on the roooftop terrace to plan our day of attack, literally. 

I arrived on the rooftop to my Nepali friends gathered around an arsenal of water balloons, hoses, buckets and huge packets of colored dye.  At this point things were starting to get really interesting.  I was seated in a chair so that my friends could decorate my face with different colored war paints.  Once we were all dressed for commando, I was finally filled in on the plan of attack.  Our job was to run around the compound and the city, throwing water and smearing dye on anyone in the streets. 

 

The term "Color War" was finally taking shape. 

 

After the day began, the details are a bit blurry.  I have bits of memories, sneaking around, throwing dyes on friends and strangers, soaking people with water and having one of the most amazingly fun days since I can remember.  It is unlike anything I will ever exprience anywhere else and the joy and comradery in the city that day was indescribable. 

The day will be ingrained in my head permanently, literally!  It turns out that I must be one of the only fair skinned, blonde haired person to participate in Holi.  Let's just say that I am now a brunette for the first time in my life.  A littl

e extra gift from my Holi experience!

Until the next adventure....stay tuned!

ERIKA