“BeadforLife creates sustainable opportunities for women to lift their families out of poverty by connecting people worldwide in a circle of exchange that enriches everyone."

BeadforLife Mission


What do you see in our Brand New Logo?

Dear BeadCircle Friends,
Our search for our logo has taken us five years, years in which we knew that we wanted to communicate the special combination of attributes that is BeadforLife.   Today we are proud to launch our new logo, which illustrates the promise of a better world created by women, and men, working together.

What do you see when you look at our beautiful new logo?
Are the people looking towards the horizon to a new day out of poverty?  Are they facing forward, arms entwined with confidence?   We love the mystery, the feminine spirit, and the vibrant colors that speak of African landscapes.

 I hope you will see yourself in this circle because it is a chain of people like you and me linking arms to accomplish our goals. This logo shows us caring about one another, entwining ourselves together through stories, beads, our new curriculum, and our BeadParties.   In this way we create a circle of getting to know one another and share what we each have to give. We stand together, participating women with love and caring to end poverty in Africa and beyond.

In this spirit we encourage everyone to give generously towards the relief efforts so needed in Haiti.  A monthly donation over the next year is a good way to give since the needs will continue over time.  BeadforLife has begun its own donations to Haiti. Together we can save lives and make a difference.
 
Warm regards from all of us,
Torkin Wakefield
Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director

 

 

CONTEST!
What does the new BeadforLife logo mean to you? Share with us what you see in the new BeadforLife logo and win a $50 gift certificate to our web store.  We are looking for creative, beautiful, heartfelt, whacky, and original interpretations.  We will publish these in the next Bead and blog.  Please send us 50 words or less by the 22nd of February.

Four winners will be selected and each will win a $50 gift certificate
to our web store.
Send to: Patty@beadforlife.org

 

  


Shopping Is Giving: Valentine's Day is coming!

Special products for men:

BeadforLife would like to say thank you to all the men who support our mission and are crucial to the success of our organization.  In honor of them, we are excited to announce two new products, which are perfect for our male supporters.


Now available on our web store:
Your gift gives twice: once to the lucky recipient and once to the woman who made the beads making a profound difference in the lives of Ugandan families.
 


 

 

Help Needed! 

In the past two years BeadforLIfe has been investigating the opportunities to reach more impoverished women by finding other suitable products.   We have decided on shea butter because we can potentially work with 1600 impoverished women who gather shea nuts in Northern Uganda.  We have developed a beautiful premium shea butter that is now available to sell to soap and cosmetic companies. Do you know anyone in a cosmetic company that might be be interested in working with us?
We are ready to be introduced!

Email contacts to: malinda@beadforlife.org

Thanks for helping us meet the right people.  And look for our own shea butter products later this year.

The Shea Tree

 

Taking Action the BeadforLife Way in the New Year!

January is time of reflection and renewal – making resolutions for change and setting goals for the year to come.  Why not resolve to make a difference in 2010?  There are so many ways to do so:       

  • Donate to the relief efforts currently underway in Haiti.
  • Commit to hosting a BeadParty this year – it’s easy, fun, free and we’ll support you each step of the way.  If you’ve hosted a BeadParty in your home consider hosting it at a different venue, perhaps at your workplace, community event, school or place of worship.
  • Buy Fair Trade products for birthday gifts this year – visit our web-store to purchase beautiful and affordable gifts or visit www.fairtradefederation.org for other gift ideas
  • Volunteer your time, money or energy to organizations helping hardworking, but impoverished people around the world - Search for volunteer opportunities at www.volunteermatch.org.
  • Decide to learn more about global poverty and ways you can make an impact – stay on our mailing list or join other organizations’ mailing lists such as ONE or Women Thrive Worldwide .  Sometimes making a difference is only a “click” a way.

Together, we can make 2010 a year of fulfillment, caring and action!


Travel to Uganda April 14 - 23, 2010

BeadforLife and GoPhilanthropic have joined hands to offer the unique opportunity to visit and meet the program beaders and their communities in person – experience a bead sale, browse the markets, and visit Friendship Village. Go on safari in majestic Murchison Falls National Park and track chimpanzees in Budongo Forest. Visit with an HIV prevention team as well as other important health and education initiatives. This is a trip of a lifetime unlike any other.  For more information contact - maryjo@gophilanthropic.com

 

Babies to make you smile.

In Uganda it is common to name children after someone you honor.  Because of this several babies have been named after BeadforLife staff members in Uganda by grateful mothers.  Here are three of these cuties.

All Photos: Charles Steinberg