Pearls with Purpose – Empowering Women

“Dream big, start small…but most of all START!”

There are some things that just speak to my heart…some things that I know I want to find ways to help tell their story…Pearls with Purpose is one of those things.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while then you know that I believe very strongly in empowerment and I believe that most people when given an opportunity, a little bit of love, some faith and trust and some direction can become the amazing people they were always meant to be.

Pearls with Purpose is a non-profit organization that works with Women in the Philippines,Cambodia and India to create amazing hand made jewelry while at the same time teaching and providing Women with opportunities to make a good income for their families and become independent.  I don’t know about you but I love jewelry and I’m going to buy it anyway, so why not buy it from somewhere that is not just about the bottom line but also is in the business of making this world a better place!

 

 

The jewelry i’m wearing in this post was made in India…here’s a story of just one of the many women that PWP has helped…

Desi was in our second training group of leprosy-affected women. Her fingers were down to their knuckles and I worried she would not be able to create the jewelry pieces…but she was determined. In addition to her strong determination, Desi had a smile that lit the co-op up like a Christmas tree and she was happy to share it with one and all.

Never a day would go by that Desi was not sitting in the circle, speaking rapidly in Tamil and engaging all around her in giggles and mirth. Her smiles warmed all our hearts!

On her first day of training I watched her as she dropped pearl after pearl. The small circular gemstone so difficult for her to grasp between her swollen knuckles. She would hold the wire in her mouth or between her toes to keep the ones she had laboriously strung from sliding off. Several times I noticed her friends sitting by her, offering to help. She would slap their hands and push them away exclaiming “NO, I DO”.
And I knew she would “DO” no matter how long it took.

Four hours later, she proudly came and showed me her finished piece. Tears welled in my eyes as I saw the pride beaming inside her as the necklace was thrust toward me with her fingerless hand.
Our eyes met, I said “Desi, it is PERFECT, you did a remarkable job!” I then stood to put the necklace around HER neck, asking if I could take a photo of her in her finished piece. She beamed with pride, and broke out her most engaging smile ever as I took the photo!

As we interviewed her weeks later, she said “My whole life I was told I was nothing…

I feel so humbled to think about so many women that have not been given the amazing opportunities that I have, so I felt compelled to help.  I don’t know about you but I can’t sit idly by – I have this tremendous need to help.  I want to meet these strong women, the empowerment they have received by working with PWP truly is inspirational and it gives me hope for an amazing world for my children.

You can shop their amazing jewelry (which includes genuine pearls, gold, silver, genuine gemstones, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and so much more by clicking this link – PEARLS WITH PURPOSE. Even if you’re not a big jewelry wearer they make great gifts…You can also find information about how you can volunteer or donate money for this amazing cause.

Empowering others is vital – “be the change you want to see in the world”