Want a way to help the world AND buy great gifts for Christmas? Cork Bishopstown Rotary in conjunction with the other Cork Rotary Clubs and Jury's Hotel on Western Road invite you to a wine and cheese gathering Thursday 26 November, 2009. From 6-9PM we will be hosting Bead For Life, an organization in Uganda that helps Eradicate Poverty by teaching women to make beaded jewelry that then sells to women in the Western world.

 The Rotary wine and cheese evening starts wtih a €10 donation to a school in Uganda that serves the poorest part of Kampala. As you enjoy good fellowship the Jewelry from Bead for Life is available for sale. 100% of the Jewelry donations and the proceeds from the wine and cheese go to support these two vital causes.

This year make your Christmas presents to people you love also benefit those who are less fortunate.

We hope to see you there.

Press Release    
 

A Bead for Life can make all the difference

Bishopstown Rotary hosts creative fundraising event for women of Uganda

Cork, November 17^th 2009: Bishopstown Rotary Club announced today details of the club’s fundraising event in aid of BeadforLife, the Ugandan charity which supports Ugandan women and their families to become more self-sufficient by making jewellery from recycled paper.   Being held in Jury’s Hotel Western Road, on Thursday November 26^th from 6pm to 9pm, the evening promises to be filled with lots of laughter, beautiful handmade jewellery and will provide a great opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early!

BeadforLife was set up in 2004 and has provided sustainable income for Ugandan women and their families by selling their beautiful jewellery, handmade from recycled paper. The women are HIV+ mothers, refugees from a brutal civil war, former prostitutes and other impoverished people. Before joining BeadforLife, all of the members struggled to get by on less than $1 a day.  BeadforLife acts as a ladder out of poverty, providing women not only income, but entrepreneurial training, business funding, health programs, and the chance for women to build a home of their own.  With great ingenuity, beaders have started small ventures such as a poultry business, or a vegetable stall. The beaders, directly and indirectly, support over 4000 other people, who enjoy better health, housing and education. 

Speaking on the event Collette O’ Neill, President Bishopstown Rotary stated “Bishopstown Rotary is delighted to be hosting this event.  BeadforLife is a great initiative and one that could be modelled around the world.  With its vision of a long-term, sustainable community BeadforLife invests its profits back into community projects that fight extreme poverty in the areas of health, affordable housing and vocational” 

Continuing O’ Neill said “As little as €10 can go a long way in Uganda and we certainly hope to raise enough money to make a difference.  Making a difference is something that Rotary is actively engaging in globally and very close to our hearts here in Bishopstown Rotary.  Alana James, one of our club members, brought this initiative to my attention and we promised to host an event before Christmas to ensure these women receive well needed funds prior to the New Year.”

On Thursday, November 26^th Jury’s Hotel will become a hive of activity with a wonderful array of colourful jewellery on display for sale.  Bishopstown Rotary and the management of Jury’s are kindly sponsoring the event to ensure that 100% of all purchases go to BeadforLife.  

Event organiser and Bishopstown Rotary member Alana James commented “As you prepare your list of Christmas gifts, take a moment to consider what your purchases represent. BeadforLife offers an opportunity to buy gifts with added value; gifts which not only look beautiful and are affordable but have a positive impact on the world as well. I have no doubt that the fundraising night is going to be great fun…some wine, finger food, good company and lots of jewellery for sale.  We are hoping that the generous nature of Cork people will be very much in evident on Thursday, November 26^th and there will be a good crowd there”.  

Thousands of people globally have responded to this innovative project and opened their hearts, homes and communities to these determined women. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide partner with the beaders and share the BeadforLife spirit by wearing the vibrant jewellery, and talking to others about how to end extreme poverty. The average beader now makes more than $2000 a year during their membership – five to seven times more than they made before.

Tickets and more information can be obtained from Alana James on 021 7706990.  Booking in advance is advisable as a great demand is anticipated. 

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For further information:

Laura Curtin, Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club PRO

Tel: 086 853 7043 or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Alana James, Cork Bishopstown Rotary Event Organiser

The Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club, in conjunction with clubs throughout Ireland, support the Rombo project.  Working with local Rotarians in Rombo (one of the six districts of the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania) this ongoing project works to bring fresh water, health care and education to a region primarily populated by the Masai.

Cork Bishopstown Rotarians believe that fundraising should not be hard work.  Shown here are the winners of the car treasure hunt for 2009.  Rotarians zip through previously undiscovered parts of Bishopstown in search of information and in answer to obscure clues all in the name of service.