Sari Bari has new items in!!

   You may have looked at Sari Bari's website recently and noticed that they are sold out of many items...well they just got a new shipment in and there are many beautiful bags, scarves, and blankets to choose from! And remember when you purchase a Sari Bari item, your money goes to help women in India find hope and provide for their families! 

   Here are a few of my favorite items!!

Baby Blankets

   If you place your order by Monday December 19th, you should receive it in time for Christmas!


Love,
Jessica



Pictures and information are used with permission and can be found at: www.saribari.com

Krochet Kids International - Some gift ideas for the guys!!

   I'm happy to introduce to you Krochet Kids International, a project based in Northern Uganda and in Peru. I love that they are empowering women who have lived lives of poverty by giving them a chance to make a living and provide for their families. 

Here is their story:

THE CRAFT

Among other things, my older brother taught me how to crochet.  Shortly thereafter I passed the skill onto my friends Travis and Stewart.  Being avid snow sports enthusiasts, we liked the idea of having our own unique headwear on the mountain and, though it was not a normal hobby for high school guys, we reveled in the novelty of it.

Before long our creations caught the attention of our classmates and we began taking custom orders and selling our crocheted masterpieces to anyone who would buy them.  It was a local newspaper in our hometown of Spokane, WA that officially dubbed us the “Krochet Kids”.  At that time our only expense outside of yarn and hooks was a hot-air balloon ride for our prom dates.  With that, one chapter of our story was closed.

A DREAM

College found us three friends at different schools.  Although there were brief resurgences of the crochet craze amongst new friends, we ultimately began exploring new opportunities — surfing, traveling.  During our summer breaks we volunteered in various developing nations, hoping to gain a better understanding of the global community in which we lived.  It wasn’t long before we came to realize how blessed we had been growing up.  The desire was planted within us to help.  To reach out in love.  To make a difference.

It was around this time that an idea was born.  One which involved a familiar trade.  Friends and family encouraged us to teach people in developing countries how to crochet as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.  At first, I thought the world needed something more drastic than crochet, something much more profound.  That was until Stewart returned home after a summer spent in Uganda.

AN OPPORTUNITY

Stew told us about a people that had been living in government camps for over 20 years due to a rebel army that had ravaged the north part of the country.  Entire generations grew up only knowing the camp and relying solely on the government and aid organizations for their every need.  They were sick and tired of being dependent upon these operating bodies and they wanted to work and provide for their own families.

It was then that we realized the simplicity of crocheting to be its most profound quality.  With hook and yarn people could make amazing products.  Being paid a fair wage to do so would allow for them, for the first time, to provide for their families and begin planning for the future.  By teaching these people to crochet, we would be empowering them to rise above poverty.  We decided right then that we were going to do exactly that.

A GROWING COMMUNITY

The Krochet Kids quickly grew beyond us to incorporate close friends who shared this desire to see Northern Uganda transformed by hook and yarn.  Halfway through college at this point, we applied to become a non-profit organization and began crocheting again to sell hats and share our vision for what we planned to do.

The following summer, after countless skype meetings and late nights, we found ourselves sitting in a simple brick hut with a group of Ugandan women and bags full of yarn.  What followed thereafter remains to be one of the most surreal experiences of my life, as we watched these ladies nearly master crocheting before our eyes.  Tears, primarily from Stewart, were in abundance.

A REALITY

Krochet Kids intl. has continued to grow and evolve in ways we never imagined since we earned our non-profit status in 2007.  Today, over 100 people go to our compound in Northern Uganda everyday to work and to rewrite their stories for the better.  The products created abroad have been well received here at home and the cooperation of our staff in America and artists in Northern Uganda has created a sustainable cycle of employment and empowerment.

Uganda is but one microcosmic example of what we hope to replicate throughout impoverished communities around the globe.  Join with us as we continue to spread the good word of hope and empowerment …

BUY A HAT.  CHANGE A LIFE.

-Kohl Crecelius, CEO & Co-founder

   Inside every hat there is a tag with the signature of the woman who made it. You can go to http://www.krochetkids.org/ and find the profile of the woman who made your hat and write her a personal note of thanks. Here is one of the beautiful women who work for Krochet Kids in Uganda:

AKONGO CHRISTINE

Akongo Christine was abducted as a young girl and forced to be a child soldier for many years. Although she has struggled to forget the trauma that she suffered during that time, Christine says that she is healing with the help of the other women at KKU. Additionally, she is proud to be learning to read and write in the adult literacy courses offered at the compound. She thanks KKU for changing her life and looks forward to her bright future.

DREAM FOR THE FUTURE

“I hope to start my own business so that I never have to return to the difficult life that I had before coming to KKU.”

HOBBIES

“I enjoy keeping visitors, socializing with others, praying, digging and listening to gospel music.”

MESSAGE TO KKI

“Continue in your spirit of giving so that you can change more lives like you have changed mine.”

Some great gift ideas for the guys!

 Cute hats and shirts for the ladies:

   Make a difference this Christmas through the gifts you purchase! You can purchase all of the above items at: http://www.krochetkids.org/shop/

Love,

Jessica

All of the pictures and information were used with permission and can be found at: http://www.krochetkids.org/

20% off Sseko sandals and straps for Cyber Monday & Stocking Stuffer Sandal Package!

   Another great deal from Sseko Designs. I have my own Sseko sandals now and I really like them! You wouldn't believe how many complements I get when I wear them. Total strangers have asked me where I bought my sandals! Its because they are so stinkin' cute! I love to share with people the story of Sseko and wearing them is pretty much the easiest way to do that. :)

The Stocking Stuffer Package is the perfect gift for the shoe-loving, big-dreaming lady in your life. The package comes with a pair of handmade Sseko sandal soles and three pairs of straps in navy, grey and gold. The holiday bundle will come with the Sseko story and instructions on how to tie the sandals and is packaged in a custom printed organic cotton bag, ready to be placed under the tree!

You choose her size (and exchanges are free!) and we'll do the rest.

This holiday season, give gifts that give twice.

Price: $65.00 

All Sseko Sandals and Straps are 20% off Friday through Monday. This includes our Stocking Stuffer Package! Use the code "ssekocheer" at checkout!
  Love, Sseko

 

Happy giving,

Jessica 

Info & pictures used with permission from www.ssekodesigns.com

Punjammie Cyber Monday Sale

   This July I posted about Punjammies, you can check out my post here, or just go to their site to find out more: http://www.punjammies.com/ and check out their really cute clothing! Right now through November 28th (Cyber Monday) all the punjammies are on sale for $35 and with this code the price should be around $26 with free shipping! Take advantage of this great deal and this opportunity to support women in India this Christmas!

Happy shopping!
Jessica

The Starfish Project

   I've been wanting to share with you about one of my favorite organizations; Starfish Project! This one is really close to my heart. 

   The Starfish Project was established in 2006 to empower exploited women in Asia. The Project developed a socially responsible jewelry business in order to provide women with alternative employment and a range of holistic care opportunities. In 2011, the project has grown to support approximately 35 women in 2 different cities, primarily through the jewelry company where women have taken on new levels of responsibility and leadership, and are able to provide for their families through meaningful employment. The Starfish Project also provides opportunities for women to heal and grow through counseling, vocational training, language acquisition, family education benefits and health care access, as well as providing housing in our women's shelter. The Starfish Project is committed to restoring hope for each woman that enters its doors.

(This info and more can be found at: www.starfish-project.com)

   The jewelry that these women make is beautiful and affordable, and the profits go to the women's salary, housing, health care, and to continue freeing more women from lives of abuse and hopelessness. 

Beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets

Really cute jewelry for younger girls too!

   Check out Starfish jewelry at: www.starfish-project.com

   Happy Holiday shopping! I hope you will find some great gifts that give twice this Christmas! In the next few weeks I will be posting about more wonderful gift ideas!

 Love,

 Jessica

Host a Sseko Sandal Party!!

   Hey! I have been traveling all over the States, and every time I wear my Sseko Sandals people tell me they love my sandals and ask me where I bought them. Its so much fun to tell people the story of Sseko Designs!  

   I know you are all wanting some of your own sandals by now... so here is a great opportunity to get a pair for FREE (just register for your party before Aug 8th) and give your friends a chance to buy some of their own as well! Host a Sseko Party! I've included the information you need to get started below. 

Also just so you know, there are new NEON straps available...check them out here!



Host a Party in a Box!
 

Here at Sseko, one of our favorite ways to spread the Sseko love is through what we refer to as a Party In A Box. We love giving YOU the opportunity to be the face and voice of Sseko in your own communities and homes. We love to see people opening their homes (or apartment or dorms!) to spread the Sseko love to the people around them.

And if you place an order for a Party In A Box before August 8th, YOU will receive a free pair of Ssekos! 

Why host a Party in a Box?  

• We'll cover the shipping costs to get you your sandals. If any size exchanging needs to happen, we'll cover those shipping costs too. 
• You'll get to choose from exclusive patterns and colors you can't get online. 
• You'll need to order a minimum of 8 pairs of sandals to host a party in a box. If you purchase 15 or more pairs, you and your pals will receive 10% off your entire order.
• Read more about Sseko Party in a Box here! 

Punjammies

   I want to introduce you all to an organization called International Princess Project. They are focused on freeing women from lives of slavery and exploitation in India. These women make Punjammies.

  

PUNJAMMIES™ are a premium brand of pajamas hand made by women who were formerly enslaved in prostitution.Crafted from beautiful Indian Sari fabric, PUNJAMMIES™ are perfect for sleeping or relaxing.

100% of the proceeds from PUNJAMMIES™ is used to support women who made them. 

   I am hoping that as you read the following and watch the video, that your heart will be filled with compassion for the thousands upon thousands of women and girls who are exploited around the world. Maybe you never realized how serious and how huge this problem really is.

 

   Instead of shutting our eyes to these kinds of world issues, we can help make a change; by allowing ourselves to recognize and see the suffering that happens in the world, and by being intentional in the choices we make. Choices that will help others have a second chance at life, a chance to be free.

 

The Story of PUNJAMMIES

 

Empowering each woman with an opportunity to learn a marketable skill and become a part of a viable business is the purpose of Punjammies. In providing for her basic need to support herself, she sees that she has value far beyond what the lies have told her. She begins to see her rightful place of value - a princess.

 

 

Each Punjammie is created in an after-care facility for women who have been rescued, released or escaped from a life of forced prostitution. Their lives have been marked by a message - you are a commodity - to be used for other's gain.

Whether sold by her own family, trafficked from another country or driven by desperation, she was a slave to this life. Each story is as unique as each girl.

When one manages to escaped from this life of horror, she has few options where to turn. Aside from the emotional and psychological trauma, women formerly working as prostitutes cannot easily enter schools, return to family systems or secure jobs to support themselves in India. A high quality after-care center is one of the best options a woman has at rebuilding her life.

Holistic aftercare involves quality medical care, emotional safety, education and the tools to create a new way of life for herself.

Empowering each woman with an opportunity to learn a marketable skill and become a part of a viable business is the purpose of Punjammies. In providing for her basic need to support herself, she sees that she has value far beyond what the lies have told her. She begins to see her rightful place of value - a princess.

Every Punjammie purchase creates
A fair trade wage
Deposit into a savings account
Financial support for holistic care
Capacity building for more women to enter the after-care center

Every Punjammies tells the story of a girl who was once voiceless. You can be a part of re-building lives shattered by modern day slavery.

Wear Punjammies. Wear hope. 





You can purchase Punjammies at http://intlprincess.myshopify.com/  They are currently on sale for only $35.00!

Pictures, information and video used with permission from http://intlprincess.org/