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Looking for a Christmas prezzie that will do good things for girls and women around the world, not just make the one who gets it happy?
I love pearls. The only ones I have myself are totally fake plastic, but one day I shall make off with my mum's string, her wedding present from my dad (had he not heard "pearls today, tears tomorrow"??). A couple of years ago I wanted to give my mum a special prezzie just for nothing, so I had a medium string of grey, white and pink ones made for her by a craftsperson who was at the folk festival.
That's what these are - the oblong freshwater kind, grey, white and pink. Gorgeous, I think.
http://www.pearls4girls.org/
The dream of "Pearls for Girls" is for all girls around the world to receive the leadership education they need to create healthy futures, for themselves and their communities. Currently, this dream is out of reach for many girls, especially those living in developing countries, such as Lesotho, Southern Africa, who are now orphans because of HIV/AIDS.
To change this reality, teenage girls and young women in developed countries are invited to build their leadership skills through organizing "Pearl Bees" where they bring people together and create pearl bracelets to raise funds for the leadership development of girls in developing countries. At the same time, all who attend have the opportunity to tell share stories on issues that matter to them.
...All profits received go directly to Help Lesotho leadership programs.
The first focus of "Pearls for Girls" is to support girls orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, where the incidence HIV/AIDS is the third highest in the world. Through the “Help Lesotho” program (www.helplesotho.ca ), "Pearls for Girls" will contribute funds to sponsor:
* the annual Leadership Education Camps so that girls can attend and learn; and
* follow-up leadership training programs to benefit the girls and their communities.
Please help make the dream of "Pearls for Girls" come true and create the global connections that will ensure all girls can contribute to building a healthy future as world citizens. To support or start a "Pearls for Girls" leadership initiative in your school and/or community or for more information, contact [email protected]
A leadership and fundraising program to engage young women as citizens of the world
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The "signature bracelet" is a string of pearls, and the cost is about 15 GBP.
The necklace is a cluster of pearls on a (rope, chain? I can't tell.)
The earrings are pearl drops.
You can see them in the Help Lesotho catalogue here:
http://www.helplesotho.ca/documents/Help_Lesotho_Gift_Catalogue_2009.pdf
There's an article here about how the project began:
http://www.ottawaathome.ca/article-326135-Pearls-are-a-girls-best-friend.html
I'm thinking my nieces can expect a bracelet in their stockings. ;)
Now, this may not be practical for my friends across the pond -- an email to the group would answer international shipping inquiries I'm sure -- but I'll take this opportunity to encourage buying gifts locally that help empower women globally.
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That is interesting Janey thank you.
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There's so much good stuff to buy (or donate to) for Christmas prezzies, isn't there?
I'm considering having my family make a pact to "regift" as much as possible this year, too!
I have a slate grey-bluey (men's) silk shirt that I haven't worn in years that would be simply stunning on my early-20s nephew, with his dark strawberry blond hair and dark blue-grey eyes. He might get a pearl bracelet too, you never know! He (like his father) is too hip not to wear it. ;)
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The necklace is pretty. Anyone buying from UK though must remember that it will be subject to customs duty on receipt if it comes to (I think) over £18.
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Aha, I googled it, and £18 is correct. $27 Canadian is under that, but more than one ($5 or about £3 shipping covers three, I believe) would be over. But - if the value of the duty itself is under £7 it is waived.
Also exempt from Import VAT for under £18.
Since the vendor is a charity, I hadn't been thinking of that!
Well, here's a very similar local one for my colleagues on that side. A group working wtih people affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
http://www.ugandareflex.org/shop/rosesbeads.asp
Quite gorgeous bead necklaces and bracelets, similar pricing to the pearls4girls items.
"Rose is currently making bracelets and necklaces in various lengths, colours and bead sizes. The proceeds of the sale of these beads go towards providing a sustainable income to Rose and the people in her community."
Believe it or not, they're made out of old magazines!
http://www.ugandareflex.org/shop/rosestory.asp
"Between themselves, the five ladies care for a total of 14 dependants in their homes. The 5 women came together two years ago now after realising that they had a common talent - making crafts with their hands - so that they could make more products and acquire a bigger market for their crafts. Together, they make ladies’ necklaces, purses, bags and bracelets from locally available materials such as papyrus, old magazine paper and tye & dye cloth.
SPAU identified the women as struggling single parents 14 months ago and linked them to Uganda Reflex a few months later. ..."
Anybody else who knows of similar projects, do feel free to add!
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