Selling Necklaces For Micro Loans= Cute Easter Goodies!

Throughout the month of April, I am going to work hard to promote a "month of change" around my home. The Easter season is the perfect time for us to focus on something bigger than ourselves. In keeping with my goal to work to empower and support others in Ethiopia, I have made some more necklaces to sell. I am so excited about what these necklaces represent and what the money raised through selling them will be able to do.

Remember when I wrote about how hard it is for women in third world countries? Remember that these women face incredible obstacles, sickness, and disadvantages? Well, I also quoted Shayne Moore "There is no limit to what our one compassionate voice can do when it is shared with others in making the world a better place. I am only one woman, with one voice, who lives in one town, and goes to one church- but all our "ones" add up. Together we can change the world."

Well, my idea is simple, yet it may have some amazing opportunities with it. As you may know, I have sold these little bottle cap necklaces for a few months and have been able to send over $2,500 to Ethiopia to support various programs (Eyes That See, Hope for Dube Bute, Ethiopia Reads). Well, another fantastic opportunity has presented itself to me and I am SO EXCITED to jump on board. Eyes That See is a non-profit, Christian organization dedicated to exposing the full worth of children, families, and communities worldwide through education and development

Through the sale of necklaces, I hope to earn money to support one of their programs, The Keziah Project.

I hope to be able to provide micro loans to women who have recently graduated from the Keziah Project. Some of the women want to start a beauty shop together and are in need of micro loans to get started (can you believe a loan of only $120 can make all the difference in their lives and the lives of their children???)

One more exciting part...those of you who said you might be interested in going back to Ethiopia on a mission trip? Well, we may have the opportunity to go back, meet these amazing women, encourage them, offer them support and actually see the how they are growing, healing, and providing hope to others.

So...I need to sell some necklaces!

I have a limited supply of necklaces - they are all made and ready to ship to you. I have even incorporated some Ugandan magazine bead charms (beads made in Uganda!) on some of the necklaces...check them out...

"Girly" cross necklace $6 ($5 plus $1 shipping). Perfect for Easter (think baskets, etc.) I will be sending you one of these adorable necklaces- if you have a preference, you can leave a comment in the "note to seller" section of paypal- I can't really guarantee a particular necklace unless you email me with a request prior to purchase.

"Hope" necklace with charms- 18" chain- $8 ($7 plus $1 shipping)

"Hope" Necklace with paper beads- 24" chains $7 plus $1 shipping

Women from the amazing program that Eyes That See has started in Addis Ababa. They are given the opportunity to turn their lives around, learn a trade, learn about God, and have an opportunity to graduate from "beauty school" and start their own businesses. Read more about their graduation here.

It is so exciting to see the women working in the same facility that we toured when we were in Addis. The program and facility has come a long way since last July when the grounds were first rented. These are women who have come from VERY difficult circumstances. VERY difficult and VERY different from anything I can imagine. I am so humbled to be able to support them in some small way.

"The women that we get the opportunity to work with often know about lives being torn apart. They are in need of seeing restoration take place, and for many of them we get to be the vehicle through which this is seen. At the Keziah Project we have counseling, community, food and showers available to the women. Even more than this, when they are ready they can select from a variety of vocational skills to train in. The purpose is to be able to have a stable job where they can excel. As they learn this vocation, they develop the life skills and confidence that needs to accompany this new opportunity. The hair stylist school was our first group to go through this program, and now the Keziah Project will work exclusively with women like those who recently graduated from the program!"

"Cross" Necklace with charms - 18" chain $7 plus $1 shipping

"Cross" necklace with paper bead charms - 18" chain $7 plus $1 shipping

I have about 40 necklaces to sell...come on, help me out - remember, you are helping me provide loans to women in Ethiopia!!!! My goal is to provide at LEAST two micro loans by the end of the month...