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Beads for Education

Beads for Education program provides training in bead making for some of our clients. This enables them to generate income and provide for their family. Having the money to pay for their children’s school fees is very important to clients, as they want to give their children to have a brighter future.

KHC purchases the handmade beads and sells them then through our friends and supporters in countries such as Denmark, USA, Australia and the UK. The money generated from selling the beads is used for our Education Support program, which provides schooling for children who are HIV positive and children of HIV positive parents/guardians in our community.

How are the beads made?

Our bead makers collect colourful recycled paper usually in the form of old calendars, cereal boxes, pamphlets or magazines, which are then skilfully cut into a series of small triangular shapes. These shapes are tightly rolled and glued to form a unique bead shape and colour before being strung and coated with a minimum of four coats of quality varnish. The result is unique pieces of jewellery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet one of our bead makers - Maria

Maria is a single mother of six children. Her husband walked out on her shortly after she discovered she was HIV positive. It was a constant struggle to provide even the necessities such as food and shelter for her children never mind pay for schooling. Her life changed for the better after being taught to make beads by a friend however, she quickly faced the problem of insufficient local demand. Thanks to a KHC community volunteer who identified Maria’s artistry and she was put in touch with other bead makers and benefits from peer to peer training; provided with essential bead making equipment; and importantly receives fair-trade payments from KHC for her beads. Maria has now been able to rent a bigger house and all her children receive schooling.

Meet some of our overseas distributors

We are very grateful to our friends in Denmark who are very supportive of our beads for education program and provide a valuable distribution outlet for the beads in their shops.

Left to Right: Lene of Cirkeline's Art & Craft Shop: Mia & Dorte at SOSUC library:

Erna of Ellebaek Flower Shop

Meet some of our satisfied customers:

Every time I wear the jewellery I get compliments! They are very well made and one of my necklaces even survived me wearing it in the shower.’ - Laurel

‘It is hard to believe it is made from recycled paper, the beads are great gifts especially as you can buy matching earrings, necklace and bracelet.’ - Margaret

‘I do have a weakness for jewellery and the pieces I bought are great as they go with everything. Also it is a nice feeling knowing the money is going to support the children's education.' - Robyn

If you would like to find out more about where you can purchase our jewellery email us: khomecare@gmail.com