I was first introduced to these beads two years ago through a friend's sister. They were just too cool to pass up. My friend Jenny and I decided to host a Bead for Life party. So we booked a party in late fall, perfectly planned for Christmas-shoppers, set up shop in my home, and boy, did those beads sell! We invited our suburban girl friends, and they helped us raise over $1000.00 for Ugandan women artisans by buying jewelry for their moms, their sisters, their friends, and their kids' teachers!
It was the coolest home-party I had ever attended (or hosted). Instead of listening to a speech in the living room about the product, we let the jewelry and the women's printed-out stories do the selling while we gabbed and grabbed at snacks. And 100% of the proceeds went back to the non-profit Bead for Life!
Bead for Life not only offers fair-pay, job training, and good working conditions to women in Uganda, a country where poverty and violence has left many women with little opportunities for survival, but the women are usually self-dependent entrepreneurs after only working with Bead for Life for 18 months. Moreover, the revenue created by selling the jewelry at a fair-price to global customers, not only goes into the hands of these hard-working women, but into development programs that benefit their entire communities, such as vocational training, housing programs, school fees, and health initiatives. 
So if you're feeling itchy to update your wardrobe (men, don't despair! There are now even some products for you!), or if you are looking for an excuse to hang out with some friends, or if you just want to help make our world a little more fair for all to live in, consider hosting a Bead for Life party or shopping on their online store. (FYI, I just learned now that Bead for Life has opened up a new market for Shea Butter soap and lip balms!)I'd love to know if any of you have heard about Bead for Life or purchased any of their products. Tell us about it!
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