Field Trip!

[Kumbah, Naomi, Ashley, Mercy & Patricia]

Today was a first. A first of many, I hope.

I have started meeting with the older girls at Frances Gaskins on Wednesday afternoons. These girls are intelligent, hilarious, creative and talented. I really enjoy Wednesday afternoons! Knowing that the 'big big girls' are the creative types, I've been trying to think of how to approach our Wednesday afternoons, how to spend our special time and how to encourage the girls in their talents and creativity.

Rewind. You might remember the Beads4Bucks auctions that I held last year, featuring the beautiful glass bead jewelry made by the women at Amazing Grace, Inc. While I was at home, Amazing Grace relocated and now they are just 3 minutes down the road! I have visited them a few times since I've been back and last week I decided to ask if I could bring some girls there to see how they make the beads. The woman said sure, and we made plans to come today around 2:30, but I wasn't too confident in her following through. Much to my surprise, she called me at 9am this morning to confirm my visit (whoa! where am i?).

As soon as we loaded up and hit the road, the girls were excited and giggling and trying to figure out how to buckle seat belts. Then they told me they hoped we were going to 'that woman's place who can fix the beads.' A few minutes later, and we were pulling up to the Amazing Grace container. Grace and Olivia from Amazing Grace did a fabulous job--wanting to get to know the girls, showing and explaining how to make the beads, answering questions and having some fun! The girls were mesmerized by the bead oven and couldn't quite get over that old bottles were being turned into beautiful beads.

Grace and Olivia told me that the girls were more than welcome to come during rainy season to make beads, as well as learn other skills like basket weaving, making country cloth and tye-dying. As a souvenir, the ladies gave the girls their own pair of Amazing Grace earrings. They really went above and beyond, and took some time to encourage and empower the girls too! And, they told me I can bring the 'big big boys' next week!

After we got back in the car, the girls went wild! The very first thing that was said was, "Auntie Ashley, we want to learn it. We want to make something fine fine for you." They giggled and talked about everything the whole way home. Just before pulling into the yard, they quickly put on their new earrings and made a pact that, instead of keeping the field trip a secret, they would tell the other children what they learned.

Opportunities like this get me excited, and make me even more excited for the girls--a chance to learn something and to express themselves. Plus, I get to learn how to make beads too, while spending some quality time with girls that I love!

Here are a few photos from our field trip, enjoy!

[Olivia showing the girls how they crush glass bottles. This guy has the hardest job...sweating in front of the oven all day!]

[Olivia with the girls]

Beads for Bucks Auction #2

[I learned a few things from the last Beads for Bucks auction, so we're going to try things alittle differently this time]

This week's auction is for another bracelet. This is actually my favorite piece...unique and so African! The women (like Cecilia on the right) at Amazing Grace, Inc. make all of their beads from recycled glass bottles and it's truly a process. The beads are on a stretchy cord, so it will fit any wrist size (I have small wrists, and it's more like a bangle on me--no elastic needed). This piece is one-of-a-kind and it's so stinkin' cool! What's even more cool is that 100% of the proceeds from the auction will help fund future Orphan Relief and Rescue projects! You get a beautiful piece of jewelry and you are changing the lives of orphans in Liberia at the same time! Can't beat it!

How this auction works:

- This week's auction is going to be a silent auction. I'm going to try this method and see if this method or last week's 'ebay style' auction works better.

- Place your bid by leaving a comment, including your email address, so that I can contact the winner. The silent auction works because I have to approve all comments. I will not approve any comments until the auction closes...meaning, you won't know who has bid or the bid amounts.

- I will update the number of bids at the bottom of this post as I receive them.

- The auction will close on Wednesday night for those of you in the States. I will check my email on Thursday morning, and the highest bid wins!

- Do not place your bid via Facebook. I know this will post to my fb page, but just come to the blog to bid.

- And remember, all of the money raised is going towards a great cause, so spread the word!!

Number of Bids: 4

Beads for Bucks Auction #1

[The following is a blog-o-sphere experiment]

I have been trying to come up with something great to auction off from my blog to raise some money for Orphan Relief and Rescue. It’s taken time, but I think you might like what I’ve come up with. We’ll see how complicated this is, and if there’s an overwhelming response, then that’s even better!

Every week for the next month, I am going to post a new Beads for Bucks auction. All of the auction pieces are handmade by Liberian women at a local shop called Amazing Grace, Inc. The women are trained for 6 months in the art of bead-making. The women turn recycled glass bottles into beautiful beads, and then create each piece of jewelry. Everything that they create is beautiful, which has made it difficult for me to pick out the pieces for the auctions. Each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind.

The best part is that 100% of the proceeds from the auctions will help fund upcoming Orphan Relief and Rescue projects. It’s a great way for YOU to make a difference in the lives of Liberia’s orphans, and you get a fabulous piece of unique Liberian jewelry!

So, I present: Beads for Bucks—Auction #1

How the auction works:
- Each auction will be posted at the beginning of the week (Monday night or Tuesday morning).
- You can bid by leaving a comment. Please leave your email address so that I can contact the highest bidder. In order to prevent spam, leave your email address in the form of: your email (at) server (dot) com.
- As we say in Liberia, “don’t be greedy”. Remember, the auction is for a GREAT cause so spread the word! 100% of the proceeds will be used to fund upcoming Orphan Relief and Rescue projects!
- This auction will close on Thursday night. (I will check the bids when I wake up on Friday morning)

- The highest bidder can pay with either PayPal or a personal check.

If you have any other questions, just post them as a comment and I will answer them.

Now, let's raise some money!!!

The starting bid is $10.