HOPE Bracelet Project
Beads For a Better World!
The HOPE Bracelet Project was started by the Cunningham Foundation, to benefit Project Mercy, in the village of Yetebon, Ethiopia. Each year, beads are donated by many generous glass beadmakers. The beads are taken to Yetebon, where the students there make them into beautiful bracelets that are later sold here in the states at an average price of $100 each. All of the money goes back to Ethiopia, where it goes so far and does so much good. Our biggest accomplishment to date is the beautiful dormitory for the Project Mercy Kids. It's truly miraculous to see the changes a handful of beads can make.
The HOPE Bracelet Project is a small, but important part of what makes Project Mercy tick. The work of Project Mercy extends far beyond the compound walls. By offering education to the local children, and vocational training for adults, Project Mercy has greatly improved the lives of the surrounding community by creating employment, providing clean drinking water, a more stable food supply, and entrepreneurial opportunities to some 74,000 people. Another big benefit has been the resulting goodwill and sense of community within a population of greatly mixed religious beliefs, and toward the U.S.
There's still a lot of work to be done. The next step is the beadmaking studio that's been built and furnished with donated equipment and supplies. Each year, volunteers from the U.S. visit Yetebon and spend time teaching students to make beads. We are working toward self-sufficiency, with the beads and the bracelets all being made right there in the village. In November of 2008, Rick and I had the opportunity to visit Project Mercy, and see for ourselves how far they've come, and what still needs to be done. It's a miraculous place that stole our hearts, and we're more committed than ever to doing what we can to help.
Click here to see our Ethiopia 2008 Slideshow.
The Hope Beadmaker Challenge is taking a hiatus this year, due to some restructuring at Project Mercy. It's time to reassess the needs of the HOPE Bracelet Project, so it can continue to grow and become self-sustaining. There is still a great need for our BEADS, as well as SILVER spacers! And while the official "challenge" is on hold, I hope you'll still dig deep into your hearts (and bead stashes) and plan to donate beads, as you have done so generously in the past. Please get to work on them now, and send whatever you can before May 1st, 2010, so the beads can be sorted for bracelets and shipped to Ethiopia. This is an opportunity for beadmakers and non-beadmakers alike to help keep the HOPE Bracelet Project going strong! Thank You!!!
If you wish to donate beads, silver, or money, please contact Tammy Cunningham at Tzheart@aol.com, or 303-877-7072.
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