I want to take a minute and send a HUGE thanks to my beautiful Grandma and Aunt Janice in Prince Albert...and my momma. My parents went to visit last week and got an order of 8 dolls each from my grandma and Aunt and then my mom took 4 more (she's already bought 2). It's these small things that can make a HUGE difference in people's lives. They've asked for a quick sell sheet on some facts about both the Little Travellers organization and my involvement with them, so I thought I'd post that here. Anyone who purchases a doll from me can reference it at anytime.
The Little Travellers HIV/AIDS Initiative is a grassroots organization that was started in 2005 by a University of Manitoba medical student, after he returned from a volunteer experience at the Hillcrest AIDS Centre in South Africa. The project is about sustainable economic empowerment and restoring hope in people's lives.
"Little Travellers" are beautiful, beaded pins made by women affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. We sell these pins for $5 each across the world, with 100% of the proceeds going to help fight HIV/AIDS in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, where over 40% of adults are infected.
We do this in partnership with the Hillcrest AIDS Centre, whose services include medical care, education and awareness, emergency food parcels, long term agricultural development and income-generation programs.
Little Travellers quick facts:
- Little Travellers are made by women who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa; this is done as part of an income-generation project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.
- There are more than 100 beaders taking part in the Little Travellers project - which means that more than 100 families are being supported just by making these dolls.
- 100% of the money raised through the sale of Little Travellers is used to support people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa; approximately half goes to providing an income for the crafters, and the rest goes towards the Hillcrest AIDS Centre's home-based care and respite programs.
- All operating costs for the Little Travellers project are generously paid for by special funding from our sponsors, enabling us to send 100% of the money from the sale of Little Travellers to the people who really need it.
- So far, over 40,000 Little Travellers have been sold, and the project has raised over $250,000 to support people battling HIV/AIDS in South Africa;
"The Little Travellers HIV/AIDS project is totally inspired. I endorse it every stitch of the way. It raises conciousness in Canada and hope in Africa...as money flows to the heroic women and children and families battling the pandemic on the ground. What could be a better act of human solidarity? Buy one, buy two, buy dozens. They speak to the best of the human spirit."
~ Stephen Lewis, former U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
My involvement:
“When I got home from South Africa, after seeing the huge effects that HIV/AIDS has had on the nation, I immediately wanted to get involved at home. I did my research and found two organizations, one that deals with local issues (Nine Circles) and one that dealt with South Africa (Little Travellers). I now sit on both of these boards.
Upon meeting with the Little Travellers founder, it became apparent that the most powerful way I could affect the organization was through my marketing and business background. I am currently the Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator for the organization. I therefore take care of any direct or indirect communications with the supporters of Little Travellers, through mediums such as the newsletter, Facebook page, Twitter, the website, sitting at booths, and writing and coordinating any material we pass out for the organization. Another aspect of my position this coming January will be to document the roles and processes that go along with opening your own Little Travellers Chapter, so that we can better provide for and support those who are interested in doing so around the world.
To be on this board and meet on a regular basis with other like-minded individuals working towards a cause that is greater than ourselves is what makes any work we do worthwhile. I come away from every Little Travellers experience with a more inspired and motivated heart and head. I feel amazingly blessed to be involved with such a small, but powerful organization. In the history of the organization, over $250,000 has gone towards the crafters and their families, and others living at Hillcrest, all who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. They are able to send their kids to schools, to purchase their own homes, to grow their skill sets, and at the end of the day, they are given something to live for.
If you want to get in touch with me, you can email tamara@littletravellers.net. I encourage you to join the Facebook Fan page or follow us on Twitter! Even more, I encourage you to purchase dolls for family, friends, or co-workers. For as little as $5, you can make a huge difference. What a powerful system for hope!
The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
