DO Ubuntu OBC

Bio

100% of the proceeds of the Orphan Bracelet Campaign go towards helping mother's and children in South Africa whose lives have been severely impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Below we list a sample of our activities:

We craft the Orphan Bracelets in the Eastern Cape of South Africa working with community organizations, such as health forums, church groups, as well as smaller groups. One of these groups is a group of ladies who call themselves Siphile Sonke HIV (Living and Breathing HIV). OBC is supporting 50 women in South Africa through the crafters program.

South East African Beadwork: Bringing back an almost forgotten tradition. The DO Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign started a beading program in the Natal and Transkei regions. The program provides employment and 100% of the profits of the beaded art pieces go back to orphanages, villages, mothers etc. The beaded pieces provided by this program are taken from 19th century North Nguni beadwork made by Zulu-speaking women in the Zulu kingdom and the Colony of Natal, dating back from 1850 to 1910.

Little is known about beadwork from this region. "Traditionally" pieces such as beadwork tend to be neglected, however efforts are being made to bring back the complexity and nuances of the designs from late 19th- and early 20th century beadwork from south-east Africa. The traditional South African Beaded pieces offered by DO Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign are adornments made by women who learned the art of beading from their mothers and grandmothers. All pieces offered are carefully checked for accuracy and quality by local experts before export.