The Apparent Project: helping feed Haiti one necklace at a time

Tonight I had the incredible joy of helping several women (and a young man) in Haiti.

No, I didn't go on a mission trip.  And no, I actually didn't go anywhere near Haiti, but I helped the poor there nonetheless.  What I did do was attend a jewelry party sponsored by The Apparent Project and bought a few birthday gifts as well as a few necklaces for myself.

This jewelry is beautiful, handcrafted, and stunning with creativity!  The beads themselves are made by taking cereal box cardboard and rolling it up very tightly to form a bead that is then glued and lacquered creating a unique and (in most cases) multi-colored bead.  These hand-made beads are then strung along with other seed beads and are formed by the imagination of the artists themselves into colorful necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

I cannot explain the feeling of seeing the smiling face of the artist who created your special treasure and being able to read their story on the small card attached to the jewelry.  For example Rosaline's story:  "Rosaline is a single mother living in a tent with her two girls.  She has had to give up several of her children to adoption and is now learning to work and save money to rent a house and care for her remaining children."  You can see for yourself exactly who your money is going to and how it will help.  Its a powerful thing.

The best part is that it is so easy to be a part of The Apparent Prjoect!  My church (Cornerstone-SCV) supports Three Angels Children's Relief in Haiti and Three Angels has now come along side with The Apparent project to further the opportunity for the poor to learn ways to suppor themselves.  It's like the old idiom says, "If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, but if you teach him to fish you feed him for lifetime."  The Apparent project is teaching these young women and men to 'fish' and we can be a part of this here in the US!



Check out the website and contact The Apparent Project if you are interested in hosting your own party.  You can make a difference in Haiti too!