Style & Substance: How beadwork became latest charity chic

Style & Substance: How beadwork became latest charity chic: "The next hot trend in U.S. charity fashion may come out of this unlikely little workshop where a South African health organization called The Mothers' Programmes is helping to sustain unemployed HIV-infected mothers and their babies. The U.S.-bankrolled endeavor recently launched Mothers Creations, a beading program for the infected women of this miles-long slum, where officials say the unemployment rate hovers at around 90 percent.
Churning out a variety of accessories, including cellphone pouches, bracelets, lanyards and condom carrying cases, Mothers Creations has netted more than two million rand in profits ($300,000) since it was started in November 2003, charity officials say. The money has enabled some of the 100 or so female workers to purchase homes.
Thanks in part to a former Los Angeles television producer who now heads the group's umbrella organization, Mothers Creations beads are being catapulted into the international fashion scene."


Really interesting article about how beaded products are making a different in the lives of these mothers.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)