Earlier this summer the interns started a fledgling project.
With an initial $50 loan from our personal expense funds, Tynan, Ana, Emma & David started up a little "gift shop". At first they bought some metal work pieces from the craftsman village at a direct source price, but before long they were taking orders for more!
They decided that the profits would go into a fund to help one of nearly 20 families in our programs, that are still living in tents or inadequate housing, move into a safer home.
Three months later, the shop has expanded it's inventory to hold a variety of other products by local craftsmen & women through the Apparent Project. This super-cool organization helps to keep families together by providing individuals from unstable situations with training and a venue to use their skills to earn an income and feed their children. It has helped to prevent children with families from entering orphanages due to lack of basic resources...something that we are very passionate about at World Orphans as well!
a DOUBLE benefit - We are really excited to be helping support these local artisans, at the same time as we are working on providing homes for the OVC families.
The products are beautiful, guests are enjoying the simple shopping convenience, and it seems to be blossoming into a very productive and hope-filled little endeavor. Can't wait to see it for yourself?
Here is a peek at what it's grown into so far:
