Beaded Hope - "Look Good, Do Good, Give Hope"

I keep thinking of these three simple sentences....."Look Good. Do Good. Give Hope." These three sentences sum up what Beaded Hope stands for and after meeting Beaded Hope's founder and Executive Director, Jennifer Davis, I knew I had to write about this wonderful non-profit organization. Beaded Hope empowers the women in the South African township of Mamelodi to help provide for their families. Many of these women have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of AIDS, and the heartbreaking reality of poverty for their children and families. In Mamelodi, Jennifer told me that there is a 90% unemployment rate but Beaded Hope is helping to change that one woman at a time.

Beaded Hope began after Jennifer journeyed to South Africa on a mission trip with her church, Crossroads. Jennifer said she always felt a calling to visit South Africa and would keep a file on South Africa where she would deposit articles and facts about the country and its people. After finally making the trip, Jennifer knew she could help. With her background as a jewelry designer, her business knowledge as a project manager and her nurturing nature as a mother, she knew that her calling was finally being answered. Beaded Hope started with only one product, a red beaded AIDS awareness ribbon as well as the notion that you can start to change the world in small steps, one person at a time. The product line has expanded and they now offer beautifully designed beaded jewelry, headbands, Christmas ornaments, placements, adorable key chains, t-shirts, note cards and more. Each beaded item is handcrafted and no two items are exactly alike. The South African women have a legacy of beading skills that they pass down to their daughters and future generations. Once you see their beautiful craftsmanship, you will definitely want to own one for yourself (I have the pink key ring pig - a perfect symbol for Cincinnati and a constant reminder to think of others).

Beaded Hope's jewelry will not only "Look Good", but knowing that your purchase is helping to "change the life" of a South African women will help you to "Do Good". To put it in a tangible way, Beaded Hope reports that:

"Your $7 purchase provides a day's worth of much-needed vitamins to an HIV-positive women."
"Your $15 purchase provides an artist with the equivalent of two days' worth of food."
"Your $30 purchase employs a woman for a day."
"Your purchase helps a woman in South Africa who faces hunger, poverty, and disease in her every-day life."

Just making one purchase can really make a positive impact for these women. In a country where "more than 5.7 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in 2009, almost one-in-three women aged 25-29 are living with HIV, and it is estimated that there are between 1.5 million and 3 million AIDS orphans where one or both parents are deceased" (www.avert.org), purchasing a lovely Beaded Hope item seems like such a small way to help. I hope you'll join me and "Give Hope" by supporting the women of South Africa through your Beaded Hope purchase. You can click here to read more about the artisans and see some of their beautiful work. Donations are also welcomed and are tax deductible. I will leave you with some wonderful quotes from Beaded Hope ......

"We believe that......empowerment causes change, inaction is not an option, one person can make a difference".

"It is our hope that...survival will no longer be a struggle, food will be prevalent, family units will be whole, and lives will be changed."

"Beaded Hope is growing, and bead by bead, woman to woman, we're making a difference."

If you'd like to read more about Jennifer Davis, please visit MasonMetu's Women to Watch page for our Q&A.

Note: Beaded Hope is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is an initiative of the Child Wellness Community Fund. All the donations are tax deductible and all profits directly support the fight against AIDS in South Africa.

Contact:
Beaded Hope
The Child Wellness Center
P.O. Box 54770
Cincinnati, Ohio 45254
Ph: (513) 943-1900
Fax: (513) 943-1904
http://www.beadedhope.com
www.facebook.com/beadedhope
www.twitter.com/beadedhope

Sources:
http://www.beadedhope.com
http://www.avert.org