BeadforLife
I was watching The News Hour with Jim Lehrer tonight (oh, could I write article upon article about the many pros and few cons of PBS), and one story in particular really caught my eye. It was about an organization called BeadforLife.
In a nutshell, Ugandan women make beads out of recycled paper, use them and some glass beads to make jewelry. The jewelry is sold online and at Bead Parties, and the money is used to buy food, schooling, and – I found this part most interesting – homes with land for impoverished families.
This is got to be one of the most nifty charities I’ve ever heard of! It promotes handmade pieces (pieces that are truly works of art – something you won’t often hear me say about jewelry or clothing), but they don’t just give to the needy, they empower the needy. As I said, I found the housing part most interesting. This is because recipients of homes from Bead for Life not only have to actually build their own bricks homes, but they have to a pay a mortgage on their land. This is the best part: They can only pay off their mortgages with bead jewelry! Which of course is then sold and the money used to fund the charity’s projects, including more homes for more needy. And it’s not just a house sandwiched next to another house they’re getting…they actually get land, on which they can grow food as well.
There’s much more though…business training, vocational training, and various forms of health care. This was another area I’m highly impressed with. Because unlike some out-of-touch-with-reality organizations, BeadforLife actually provides access to family planning services (including condoms, which are half subsidized, half paid for by the recipients with beads) and family planning education that includes the husband or partner.
I admit I haven’t done a ton of research…I haven’t dug through their garbage or spoken with any members (like I said at the opening, I only heard of it tonight). But the research I have done indicates this organization is reputable and has taken into account most, if not all, of the known factors that cause and maintain poverty and has a program in place to help resolve each one.
Seriously, everyone should check these guys out and do something. Buy some jewelry, throw a Bead Party (at no cost to you!), or just old fashion donate.