Giving Back
Here at Tonika we are committed to making a difference where it matters.
We have committed to donate money from each online sales to two charities which are close to our heart.
We have committed to donate 1% of Tonika's website sales to Micah Nepal and PANDA.
You can find out more about our chosen charities below and how your dollar is making a difference.
PANDA – Post Anxiety Natal Depression Association.
We understand if you are struggling with perinatal mental illness, the sooner you seek support, the quicker you can recover.
However, many people who know they could do with some help delay telling their loved ones or looking for help because they feel shame or feel they are a bad parent.
Others find it difficult to talk to a doctor or a nurse or any other health professional about what they are going through. Having difficult conversations about your struggles with these people can be hard.
The Helpline is safe, secure and confidential. You can call from home, without needing to make an appointment or leave the house. Or you can call from your mobile while on the move.
My Journey
The support team at PANDA were there for me through my pregnancy, no matter what time or what I needed to say. They helped me through a tough time and were just beyond amazing. I truly believe that post-natal depression and anxiety is such a taboo topic but is nothing to be ashamed of and can be managed with the right help and people around you – that’s how I got through.
Mish xx
Micah Network Nepal
https://micahnetworknepal.org.np/
Vision “To see Communities living life in all its fullness, free from poverty, injustice, and conflict.”
Micah Network Nepal is a registered organisation in Nepal which constantly respond to the travesty of poverty, injustice, and conflict in Nepal. They attend and seek to assist in Nepal where help is needed, whether it be Education, Caring for Families, Water Cleanliness, Food supplies and disaster support.
My Journey
For many years I had been going to Nepal, trekking through the Himalayas, white water rafting in the Annapurna region and visiting temples to sit still with the Buddhist Monks. Then in 2015 the devastating earth quake hit Kathmandu and surrounding areas - I felt like I had to do something to help. Initially when I called wanting to go straight after the earth quake had happened friends advised against it due to lack of water and food for the medics they needed in the villages. Then a few months on and my heart still feeling so heavy, I had to go – so I organised a friend to get me from the airport and take me a small village called Tikabarah where I rebuild the community and taught English at the local school.
Below is a Blog I wrote on the trip:
Many of you have asked and have had a chat with me about the amazing adventure I recently went on in Nepal. It was a special trip to assist with EarthQuake relief from the disaster in April 2015 and to help re-build and provide support to rural areas in and around Katmandu Valley. During the initial months following the Earthquake last year, the country was inundated with supplies and skilled workers to help wherever it was needed to save lives, provide food and water to areas that had been left with absolutely nothing to try and survive. However over the last 8 months the Nepali people have been left to their own devices to pick up the remainder of the pieces of the disaster, when there is still so much to be done to repair and rebuild their beautiful land.
What I experienced when I went there was more than I could ever have imagined!
Arriving in Katmandu on the Buddhas birthday (this was not planned - but a very warm welcome), where the town was full of colour, music and endless streams of parades, I honestly couldn't believe my luck :) From here I was taken by bike to a small village called 'Tikabairab' about 3 hours outside of Kathmandu to help teach, dig trenches and build a safer school for the kids. I was so nervous, scared and really at that point thinking "what the heck am I doing?" - I was completely and utterly out of my comfort zone than I had ever been in my whole life.
Within half an hour I was the main focus at their assembly and blessed by that of scarves and red paint on my forehead for coming as a 'gift from God' from Australia to teach the kids from Grade 5 to Year 10 of Tikabirab Primary School - WOW - 'Gift from God' - had never expected that term to be used to explain me :)
From there the Principle asked if I had any questions or curriculum to teach the kids. Having NEVER taught kids or at school before I tried to explain this may be difficult without some assistance from another teacher however within minutes I was in front of 16 Grade 8 students who were eagerly looking at me to teach them English and the history around Australia. So all fear and anxiety aside, it was time to embrace and engage the 32 eyes laid upon me.
By the end of the day I had settled and relaxed (as much as could be expected) into my new role as a Primary School Teacher and went home to my new Nepalese family for traditionally milky, sugary tea. The family opened their doors, as well as their hearts to me for the entire duration of my stay and I quickly learnt that this is the way of ALL the Nepali people. They truly live whole- heartedly by caring, respecting and loving each other as part of a community.
The school I was teaching in literally stood like the ‘leaning tower of Pisa’ and was a hazard to everyone in it however in true Nepalese style they got on with it until the next school was built.
As we constructed the new school, all rooms were on the ground being ONLY 1 level rather than 5. By the time we were finished the students and teachers were safe, for now and even if another Earthquake hit the village in the future.
The reason I wanted to share this story with you is to encourage anyone that has a desire to help, change their view on life and that of others anywhere in world or create memories through a journey of a lifetime - you should just do it ! Although it may seem daunting, impossible or completely outrageous, this is a sign of a true challenge and we all know that life is full of them !
Recently I watched this Ted Talk below that explains in detail, 'Vulnerability', and the impact it can have on you as a person - Check it out: The power of vulnerability
We all have the power to make a difference, sometimes you just need to step out of your comfort zone to do so :)
Much love… Mish xx