Elevita and Education

Elevita has recently partnered with a wonderful organization called Believe International.  Together we are working to extend the hope of a brighter future, through education, to those with little or no opportunity.

For example. as part of our partnership with Believe International, this year, Elevita.com is sponsoring the education of two lovely young women, Danica and Mia Quena from the Philippines. Danica is an excellent student and now in her 3^rd year of college studying to be an English teacher. Mia Quena (pictured below) is in her 2^nd year of high school and is also an excellent student.  The school year in the Philippines is June through March, and the country is currently in the process of converting from a K-10 educational system to a K-12 system.  Mia Quena is in the first batch that will complete the full 12 years of education.  Danica graduated from high school at the end of grade 10.  Without financial assistance, Danica and Mia would not be able to continue with their schooling.  Elevita is delighted to help these bright young women reach for a brighter and more secure economic future through continuing with their education. 

Thank you for your support of Elevita.  Buying gifts through Elevita.com not only provides business opportunity for artisans in facing economic hardship, it enables Elevita to support meaningful humanitarian and education projects,  like sponsoring Mia and Danica  from the Philippines. A gift bought from Elevita.com truly does a world of good.

Partnership with WHOlives

This holiday season Elevita committed to help the nonprofit organization WHOlives raise money by sending all if its "Angel Donors" ($25 or more) an Angel Ornament.  WHOlives is an impressive organization with a mission to provide clean and easy water access to millions of people through the use of its Village Drill.  The WHO stands for Water, Health, and Opportunity.  Elevita always feels privileged to form partnerships such as these!

Hostel in Keru, India

Work is underway on the hostel Elevita is helping to build in Keru, Rajasthan, India.  This hostel will allow girls from the rural desert to stay in a safe place and attend secondary school--an opportunity previously not available to them.  This is very exciting, as similar hostels in Rajasthan have proven to be a great success.  

Below are a few photographs of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, laying the ceremonial foundation stone of the hostel.  We are very grateful to all our generous donors who helped make this possible!

Ornaments to Aid Philippine Red Cross

We have all been saddened by the devastating typhoon that ravaged the Philippines last week. Though all our Elevita artisans are safe, there are still nearly 2,000,000 victims who have been displaced from their homes and are in desperate need of help. In an effort to assist, Elevita has committed to donate $1 to the Philippine Red Cross for every Christmas ornament sold between now and November 30th.  Decorate your tree in love this year!  Please visit www.Elevita.com to purchase as many ornaments as you can.

Elevita Artisans Safe After Typhoon

Elevita has been able to establish contact with all of its artisans, and we are grateful to report they are all safe and well.  Here are a few tidbits:

From Rosalie Blanza, creator of headbands and beaded coin purses:

Yes Maam,the damage was so terrible,especially in Visayas region,may province is not affected Maam,and thanks God,last time it was in our region.

From Margarita Cajumban, our 18-year-old painter:

i ll just need a little time to recover my materials and my studio,when the typoon come,ill prepared all.my parents got angry because ill protect my studio.even theres a typhoon i did not go to our home.even i know what happened.in the other stake almost 1000 got die. Now i retouch your painting..

From Arman Cagayat, woodcarver:

hello sister i got your money yesterday sorry for my late reply.because of the storm here in the philippines no electric power supply

From Francisco Cajumban, nativity artisan:

We are OK here in Southern part of Luzon though a Signal #2 has been warned. Thank you in remembering us here. Lets pray for all the families in Visaya regions.

From Florita Escandor, who manages the IReachOut cooperative and manages our relationships with the other Filipino artisans:

Our province just had hard rain.  people are safe.  artisans farm are still in good safe.  Our neighboring island are the most devastated.  this [photo below] happens to my neighboring island...just 1 hour away from my place...Please include as in your prayer.. Thank you for the american Soldiers for helping us.  Thank you again.

More On Why We Do What We Do

Today one of our jewelry artisans, Louela Nalzaro, went to the internet cafe in her village to send Elevita the following message:

"we had a very rainy day today due to the super typhoon but we are so blessed and lucky that our place is not the center of the super typhoon..but we still experiencing heavy rain that last night we started putting sea sand in the sack to prevent the water coming in inside the house..
i want to say thank you very much for your help, i will say this over and 0ver again because i was so happy that i was able to send my children to school without depending others to help me..and because of the elevita i have plenty of changes in our lives,before i was so dependent in my mothers help, since the father of my chidren was not supporting them..but now..i was the one helping my sibling and my mother,and other people who need help.I was so glad for the opportunity given to me to help others in a small and honest way..        

Yesterday, after i get the money,and after i set aside the tuition fee of my daughter for this month,then i went to the grocery store, i bought milk for the whole family,1 kilo of pork and 1 kilo of chicken..fish are very expensive because of the weather so i bought pork and chicken,vegetables and biscuits for the children..i also give my mother money to buy for rice..sorry if i tell you but i was just so happy again..

        And most of all i bought a christmas tree! its a white christmas tree, our first christmas tree ever..and everyone are so excited..after we hang christmas decor and put lights around it,we just sat there in front of our christmas tree for hours,admiring it..it really true..we set up the christmas tree at 6 pm,we sat around it then later we eat dinner then we all gather around then we just stare at it and feeling sooooooo happy! we sleep past midnight...and when we woke up early today, my brother then lighted the christmas tree..and we all so excited..while me doing the house chores would take a look at the tree and giggle i feel like a small child! 

        Thank you Elevita! ..That was a very memorable night we had..:)"

It is not uncommon for Elevita to receive messages like these, which highlight the importance of what we do, and also the ripple effect our efforts have within villages and communities.  A big thanks to all our customers for continued support!

Holiday Boutiques

Elevita is excited to be hosting boutiques in three major metropolitan areas this year:  Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle.  Here is the exact info for our Humanitarian Holiday Boutiques:

21 November 10am-2pm

5270 West River Bend Drive

Libertyville, IL  60048

4 December 10am-1pm

309 Greenbrook Drive

Danville, CA 94526

6 December 1pm-4pm

9701 148th Street Court East

Puyallup, WA 98375

Please spread the word and bring friends if you are able!  It is an amazing experience to see and feel Elevita products firsthand.  You may never see the world in the same way again!