Global OutreachCovering the World
Beleza Sponsors Clothing Shipments
For two years, Philip and Sara have partnered with a student organization at NCSU, MorLove, as well as local churches and other groups to send shipments of used clothing and shoes and household supplies such as linens, towels, etc. to people who need such items. First it was Madagascar in March of 2007 and most recently, Uganda in April of 2008. Philip and Sara raise the money to pay for the shipping and are thankful for the support of their customers, friends, family, and all who contributes each year. The story of their mission to help cloth people in countries where the need for this is keen encompasses the realization that we can send so much to the people in these countries out of our excess. So while some groups build houses, some provide food, others provide medical assistance and Philip and Sara have decided to help provide clothing.
Working with MorLove, Beleza is now planning in this next year to ship containers of such items to the Central African Republic where the emphasis will be on supplying an orphanage and also a container to Haiti. We have excellent contact people in both countries to insure that the items reach the people for who they are intended.
Where To Now?
The new outreach for 2008-2009 will involve the following. We have been contacted from a man who needs help outfitting an orphanage in the Central African Republic. We know what he needs and are considering this as one outreach. We also have excellent contacts in Haiti and are looking at sending a container of clothing, shoes, etc there. Finally, we have excellent contacts with some wonderful folks who work with teenagers who have assumed the role of parent for their younger siblings in Rowanda through the ZOE ministry. We can also send a container of items there. The need is so prevalent for us to continue to share the abundance we have.
We need all of your help and support to collect the items and then raise the money to send it. We will need about $8000 per container to send them to their destination. As you read further, all donations of any kind, money or goods, are eligible for tax credits.
So how can you help?
You can bring any of the following items to the shop any time you wish.
- Clothing, linens, curtains, tablecloths, or any source of fabric, as well as unused jewelry and purses, from which the designers can create new fashions.
- Children’s clothing, shoes, toys, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, other toiletries and first aid supplies for the outreach around the world.
- Funds with which to ship the containers of items to the different countries.
How do you send your donations?
People who live in the Raleigh area can drop off items and monetary donations at Beleza, located in Cameron Village, one door down from Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. Monetary donations to help with shipping and supplies can also be made in the form of a check made out to The Alms House. Send all checks to: MorLove, 2014 Cameron Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.
All donations are tax deductible.
What is MorLove all about?
MorLove is reaching out to include the world, one person at a time. While Raleigh, NC, is the present hub of activity, the vision for MorLove is certainly inclusive of any and all who want to be involved. Originally, NCSU students, most from the College of Textiles, banned together to use their youthful energy and creativity to help people around the world. The organization was founded in July 2006 by Mor Aframian, a textile student. Partnering with The Alms House in Hope Mills, and mentored by Philip and Sara Dail, MorLove is continuing to expand its outreach. New partnerships are forming and recently, Erimos Pharmaceuticals on Centennial Campus has joined this effort and is spearheading the involvement of other Centennial Campus groups to join this outreach. MorLove has already made an incredible difference in the lives of thousands. There is plenty of room for everyone to help!
What does MorLove do?
MorLove students take discarded items of clothing, purses and jewelry and recycle them into fabulous new designs for sale. Beleza, A Fair Trade Boutique owned by Philip and Sara in Raleigh’s Cameron Village, works with MorLove to provide a place for the design team to market the items they create for their outreach efforts. Currently, over 50 students are “refashioning” the recycled clothing, linens and fabric sources to create new garments, household items and jewelry. The group is sending support to the Amani Cottage, a baby cottage, in Jinga, Uganda.
On March 10, 2007, MorLove students loaded seven tons of clothing, schoolbooks, linens, towels and shoes into a container to be shipped by freightliner to a school, Vision Valley, in Madagascar. After arriving in May, 2007, the container of items was distributed to the school and myriad destitute families throughout the area with the final distribution taking place by helicopter to remote villages not accessible by roads.
On March 29, 2008, over 400 people attended Second Chance New Life, a benefit sponsored by MorLove that raised $1350 to send to the Amani Baby Cottage in Jinga, Uganda. Garments, jewelry, art work, and other accessories were made from the recycled garments and fabrics. After an exciting fashion show held at the College of Textiles, these items were sold and the proceeds used to raise the money. On May 1, 2008, MorLove sent $1500 to the Amani Baby Cottage.
On April 12, 2008, a container was loaded with over 13,000 pounds of items to be sent to Uganda with an emphasis on children’s clothing, shoes and art supplies. This included over 26,000 items of cllothing, shoes, bedding and towels and more.
Eddie’s Children
In March of 2007, Beleza began selling surreal bark paintings by a young artist named Eddie Bbira. Eddie lives in Kampala, Uganda and works with homeless orphans using art therapy to engage them counsel them. He goes out into the streets and sets up his “art school”, doing all he can to give the children something to look forward to in their very difficult environment. Children come out from their “homes” (meager shelters made from whatever material they can scrounge) just to draw and talk with Eddie. Although he does not have much money, Eddie also provides for the tangible needs of the children as much as possible, as they lack clothing, shoes and basic necessities.
Eddie is in constant need of art supplies – for both himself and the children. So as his bark paintings at Beleza are sold, Eddie will receive the money he needs to continue his beautiful artwork and to effectively care for “his” children.
For more information, or to receive updates on this outreach, please email us at shopbeleza@yahoo.com. You may also call Sara at 919-832-4775 or Philip at 919-247-8873.