Recently two of BeadforLife’s incredible Community Partners, Suzanne Bowman and Donna Theobold who live in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area invited all of their volunteers for an afternoon get together to have some fun and meet BeadforLife co-founder Torkin Wakefield. This group of volunteers help sell beads and tell the stories of our Ugandan partners who are working their way out of poverty. They volunteer at fairs, in schools, at art shows, and at farmers markets. The afternoon flew by with everyone sharing their different experiences.
One of the volunteers, Anna, is a nurse who suggested that her co-workers wear beads the same color as the scrubs they wear in the hospital. Another volunteer works in a school and sells beads to teachers. Recently she has taken the beads to other schools and reported that they are a hit everywhere.
The men in the group describe themselves as “jacks of all trades -
able to carry tables, make spread sheets, count money, create booths
and signs, and even sell beads!” Peter Bowman, Maine State Senator, spoke of being a “utility infielder” for BeadforLife meaning he can do everything.
Torkin told them stories about the Ugandan women, about how Friendship Village is almost complete, about the baby, Mercy, whose cleft palate has been repaired. She also let each person know how much BeadforLife appreciated their passion and dedication to connect women across the world and to fight extreme poverty everywhere.
BeadforLife Community Partners are BeadforLife ambassadors; an intensive mobile force of empowered, educated and inspired community volunteers whose mission is to expand our BeadCircle, educate the public, and give meaning to others through outreach events, bead sales, and by sharing the inspiring stories of the Beaders and BeadforLife.
Tags: BeadCircle, BeadforLife, community partners, Empowering Women, paper jewelry, Uganda, Women Making A Difference