by Jessica Taloney
Published: Tue, December 09, 2008 - 5:45 pm CST
Last Updated: Tue, December 09, 2008 - 5:50 pm CST
Melody McDuffee has been in the bead business for nearly two decades. Last year, she was featured in an industry magazine that somehow made it's way to a small African town.A man from Somanya saw the article and contacted Melody, asking her a life changing question. Would she share her trade with a group of orphans? Without hesitation she said yes.
"If I had known going into it how expensive it would be, I probably would never have tried to go," says Melody, who with the help of friends and even strangers donated her time and talent to travel 5,000 miles.
Melody taught the native bead makers Western techniques, and helped them start a small business.
"In the three weeks I was there they were doing fancy wire work. It took me years to get those skills. They just stepped right up and got them," says Melody.
She calls the project "Soul of Somanya." The jewelry is sold in the US, but all the money goes back in the hands of the orphans who make it.
The orphans are earning a living wage, which in Africa is $3.50 for a 5 hour workday. Melody hopes the jewelry will catch on, and the orphans' business will grow.
To learn more about the project and see the jewelry visit the Soul of Somanya website.
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