BeadforLife at High Point University

Sorority sells jewelry to raise money for impoverished women
By Megan Keany

Although their philanthropy is juvenile diabetes, the sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at High Point University couldn’t resist having a BeadforLife party last spring to sell colorful jewelry and help raise money for impoverished Ugandans.

Many of the sisters were unaware of the organization, but once they heard that hosting a jewelry party could make such a difference in the lives of others, they loved the idea and started planning the event right away.

“I wasn’t sure if I would like jewelry made from paper, but once I saw the colorful beads and learned how much effort was put into making them, they meant a lot more to me,” says sophomore Alpha Gamma Delta member, Bri Tell.

The event was open to the whole university and the jewelry was set up on long tables covered with black cloth to bring out the color of the beads.

Fact sheets on Ugandan women who have been lifted out of poverty were displayed on the tables to alert students about poverty and real women who have been affected by AIDS, violence, hunger, unemployment and more.

“Uganda seems so far away and in my daily life it doesn’t cross my mind that there are people suffering there,” senior Kimmy Freer admits.

An educational video on BeadforLife was set on repeat and the sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta, along with other students socialized and watched the video while looking through and purchasing the jewelry.

“It is incredible to hear about how these women roll the beads and to actually look at them and how carefully they are put together. They are truly very pretty and a work of art,” says Bri.

Alpha Gamma Delta successfully raised over $300 from their party and are planning on having another one this spring semester.

“It was something fun and different to do and I still wear my jewelry all the time,” says Leah Fahey who received a bracelet as a gift from her sister.

Not only was the event fun to host for the members of Alpha Gamma Delta, but they were happy to learn something themselves, spread awareness and create better lives and opportunities for their sisters in Uganda