To get attention for a cause, is it more effective to sit on the couch with your laptop or get out and start a movement on the street? Recent studies and statistics suggest that the former may be the more powerful method to get support for social causes. The exasperated efforts of street protesters may now be in vain as social media speaks to exponentially broader demographics, populations, and geographies than do ultra-localized ground campaigns, which at most generate limited media coverage. The secret is in the widespread user base of these social networks such as not only Facebook and Twitter but Tumblr and Pinterest as well.

Hey everyone!

We just wanted to let everyone know that we've opened an Jatalo Instagram account; you can follow us @jatalo. Instagram's a great way to share pictures and add cool effects to them, so we're planning on doing just that!

A major pitfall of our competitive meritocracy has caught up to us: the "1 percent" versus the "99 percent" has been extended to education. The 1 percent can afford an elite private education or property in a good school district while most of the 99 percent go to lesser schools with fewer resources. This sets up the 1 percent for better postsecondary education and future jobs, perpetuating and widening the gap. Though schools offer incentives to lower income students, the problem is more systemic.

As a society, we're quick to notice the poor education standards of impoverished areas around the world. It's not difficult to recognize the struggles that children in these regions have to go through to attain a proper education to prepare them for promising careers. However, from these same humble roots is the potential for a surge of innovation.

As we prep ourselves for next big phase - the release of several new backpack designs - we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that has helped us along the way. From advisors to partners, we've been fortunate to have received support and counsel from countless individuals and groups over the past few months.

We've been busy working on the new line of Jatalo backpacks. Our launch was fantastic, and we'll keep selling the Ikat Classic as well as the Textured Classic, but we'll be adding an additional three designs to the Shop very soon!

Some insider info follows:

We launched our pre-order sales just last week, and the reception has been tremendous! Thanks to everyone who ordered and spread the word of the Jatalo vision! We just received stock of our bracelets, so no more pre-orders for those; we'll be able to ship them out as soon as you order, so get yours today!

Just finished with the designs of our new bracelet line! Wish I could post images, but haven't got them just yet. The bracelets are made of leather and waxed cord and will come in six different colors. Even better, for every bracelet you buy, we'll donate a textbook to a child in need. The bracelets will be uploaded to the shop section of the site very soon, so be on the look out!

We've just placed an order for our first two backpack product lines, the Ikat Classic and the Textured Classic. Pictures of both are displayed in the shop section of the site, check it out! http://www.jatalo.com/shop

I received pictures of the ikat backpack sample a few days ago, and they look great! After making a few adjustments to the bag and the website, I hope to have the online store up and running. I've also finished sketches of a second design in gray and black and hope to have a sample done for this model as well.

On a slightly different note, I came across a pretty interesting article in the Wall Street Journal regarding the efforts of the Indian government to level the playing field for children in terms of education. Here's the link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704083904576337373758647478.html.

It's the beginning of the month and the beginning of a new journey. Here's to a brighter future for children all around the world.