Monday, December 28, 2015

Artisan Happenings

We love hearing news from our artisans!  Here are a few recent tidbits:

This year Frank and Maxima Cajumban celebrated their 37th anniversary...


Frank is the very talented woodcarver who makes a 17-piece nativity for Elevita.  We are very happy for him and Maxima and their beautiful family!

Another noteworthy recent event was the birth of a healthy baby to Rosalie Blanza, one of our beadworkers.


Rosalie says, "Here's my baby. That's why I really need extra income and it was a blessing that you have a surprise order.  Thank you!" Elevita is happy to help in any way possible, and we are grateful to know that both mother and baby are doing well.  

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

"Our Own Christmas Decorations!"

Recently we received a note from Louela Nalzaro of the Philippines.  She shared the following:

"About us we are OK. I am working on some decorations for Christmas, and I started working on some hand crafted POINSETTIAS. And I just wanted to show my craft to you. I am really excited for Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. I feel like I am a child. When I was small I always stare at my neighbors home filled with bright lights and colorful decorations.  And sometimes I feel pity to my family. But now that you have helped me discover my talent in crafting I can make our own Christmas decorations!!"

Elevita is very happy that Louela's  talent not only helps her earn a living, but also brings her confidence, satisfaction, and joy. 




Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Introducing Heng Sreymon and her beautiful handbags

We would like to introduce one of our newest artisans. Heng Sreymom has recently joined Elevita and creates the most wonderful bags. She is 33-years-old and was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She has no formal education, though she can read a little. She is a single mom with two delightful boys, ages 9 and 10. Her husband left her five years ago leaving her with no clear way to support herself and her children. Recently she learned how to sew and has specialized in sewing beautiful, high quality handbags. With Elevita's help, she hopes to broaden her market and sell her handbags to a wider clientele so she can properly care for her children and herself. We are delighted to have Heng Sreymom join the Elevita team of artisans.




Heng's practical handbags are beautifully made of durable synthetic material and are 9 inches long and 6 inches wide. Each bag zips across the top and has two outside zipper pockets and one small zip pocket inside. The adjustable strap measures 45 inches when extended.  Visit www.Elevita.com to purchase these and other wonderful products from our artisans around the world!



Thursday, March 26, 2015

Artisan Update: Sok Chan

Sok Chan lives in Battambang, Cambodia.  She is a single mother and is bound to a wheelchair, but she does not let these challenges keep her from trying to live a happy and productive life.  Ever since she was given the opportunity to sew wallets and purses for Elevita, Sok Chan has been able to afford the luxury of a little recreational activity.  Now she is the leader of a Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team!  If a picture is worth a thousand words, about six-thousand words are presented here as snapshots of Sok Chan's life:

Sok Chan, Team Leader, holds the ball
Sok Chan and her baby
Sok Chan with her two boys and a friend (left)
Sok Chan's oldest son, who carries a lot of responsibility to help his mother
Sok Chan's baby plays by her sewing machine

Elevita is pleased to help this optimistic and industrious woman by selling her products online.  If you are interested in supporting Sok Chan by purchasing some of her beautiful and unique gifts, please visit www.Elevita.com.


Friday, March 13, 2015

A Beautiful Twist

Louela Nalzaro of the Philippines beads beautiful necklaces and bracelets for Elevita.  Recently she has been working hard on some fabulous new designs for 2015.  Here is a sneak peak at her new star ornament design:


In January, Elevita received a card from Louela which reads: "Another wonderful year is about to end and another year is about to come.  Me and my family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Elevita.  Our lives suddenly have a beautiful twist: Before, buying food and clothing for my family is a big problem, but through your help we are able to eat food we seldom bought before...thank you, thank you!  There is nothing I can do to repay for your kindness and generosity. We love you!"

She enclosed a photo of her family:


Being a part of this "beautiful twist" is a big reason the Elevita Team feels so passionate about this great work.  We in turn thank Louela for allowing us to be a part of her life!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Artisan News: Rosalie's Home


Rosalie recently sent a message to Elevita.  These are her own words:

"When Elevita purchased the first order of my items I used the money paying some of my expenses.  First quarter of 2012 I decided to pursue my dream, a dream to have my own house.  This is my dream house. It's not yet fully constructed but I'm praying and hoping that next Christmas I will be celebrating in my own house thru the help of Elevita and those who buy my items.  I'm proud and thankful to say that.  Thank you.  God bless you.  I really appreciate your help and support."



Rosalie has created a fantastic beaded flower vase that is perfect as a centerpiece, a gift, or even as a grave decoration.  Visit www.Elevita.com to purchase her impressive items!  Elevita feels privileged to play a role in Rosalie's success.




Thursday, January 15, 2015

Help Elevita send 60 girls to school in Keru, India

Because Elevita's management is entirely volunteer, we are able to donate the net profits from our sales to support humanitarian projects in the developing countries from which we source products.


Elevita's first project was to help to build a hostel for young girls in the rural village of Keru, India. This is a remote area where, due to long distances to school and safety issues along the roads, girls who live in Rajasthan ended their formal schooling from their village school at age 12. They had  had no opportunity to attend Secondary School since it was too far for them to travel to on a daily basis, and there was no place for them to stay if they went for the week. By not continuing with their schooling, these young girls were often married by age 13 and young mothers by age 14-15 and the cycle of poverty continued.  


Elevita, in conjunction with an existing local group, His Highness Maharaja Hanwant Singhi Charitable Trust, worked together to build a hostel where young girls from Rajasthan could safely stay during the week while attending their secondary school courses.  Together we raised approximately $31,500 and it has taken almost 4 years to complete this girls' hostel. 


The hostel is nearly finished and will open as soon as it is furnished. Once furnished, 60 girls ages 12-18-years-old  from this rural community will be able to attend school and work on their secondary education courses. Giving these girls an education will help them improve their lives, and subsequently the lives of their families and villages.  It is an investment that will pay dividends for generations. 


Elevita needs your help!  We are raising funds to help furnish the new hostel. Please consider making a donation toward purchasing furniture for the new Girls' Hostel.  Here is what it will cost:


Wooden bed with drawers:  $170


Mattress: $50


Pillow with Cover: $7


2 x Blankets: $35


2 x Bed Sheets: $10


Lockers: $25


Table: $45


Bench: $35


Go to Elevita.com and choose the amount you can help with. You can buy a bed, a table, bed linens, or a whole set-up. Help us furnish the Keru Girls' Hostel so that 60 young girls can continue their education and reach their highest potential.  










Thank you to all who have made this possible.
 Elevita.com - Improving Lives Worldwide.