When I was 9 years old, I was given a kit for making beads with paper. I thought it would be simple enough. But as I sat hunched over at my little desk, fumbling with the paper, layers of glue hardening on my fingers, I quickly lost interest because I couldn’t quite figure out how this craft could turn into beautiful jewelry.
Let’s fast forward 16 years. Now, I marvel at how exquisite these paper beads are. (Clearly, I had no idea what I was doing!) Take the Ally necklace as an example.
Talented artisan women in Kenya have taken paper beads in colours of black, mustard, rust, midnight, chocolate, shortbread, plum, orchid, and salmon, and have accented them with gold beads.
But what is more beautiful than this array of necklaces is the group of teen moms who crafted them. Double strands of paper beads provides a dignified income to girls who had previously known nothing but poverty and oppression.
By purchasing products like the Ally necklace you are supporting these young moms. For more information on Mercy House Global and how they are helping to redeem generations of Kenyans out of poverty, please visit http://mercyhouseglobal.org/
🛍: $25USD
Link: “Shop Fair Trade”
