Bead Barmy

Sometimes it amazes us to see how much good the humble bead can do. When Jo Allen mentioned her work with children in Moldova, we had to hear more.

Jo, kindly obliged by sending us an inspiring article and gorgeous pictures. Here’s what she told us.

Helping hands

The kids get stuck in to jewellery making

For the last 7 years my husband, Rob, and I have been visiting Moldova, often taking teams of young people from the UK to help lead Summer camps for children and young people.  Moldova, a former Soviet Republic nestled between Romania & Ukraine, is one of Europe’s poorest countries.  Many people go abroad to find work, meaning children are left with one parent, relatives or just abandoned.  These camps provide a holiday which many children would otherwise never have, as well as providing Moldovan teenagers with the chance to work with us leading and running activities to develop gifts and skills to make a difference in their own country.

Crafty delights

Crosses and hearts are always popular

Craft always plays an important part: materials are hard to find in Moldova or are often very expensive, so the children are always delighted to have the opportunity to make new things. Jewellery is hugely popular, like necklaces using the glass crosses and hearts, bracelets with all sorts of beads and earrings too.  We’ve used Beads Unlimited to buy a lot of these materials, plus elastic, cotton thong, findings, organza ribbon and much more.  Every Moldovan girl’s name ends in an ‘A’, often with at least one other, so any activity which includes letter beads needs to be thought about carefully – buying them by individual letters as well as a mixture is a great help!

Good to go

Mascot, Bruno takes a trip to The Brighton Bead Shop

When planning our Moldovan activities the trip to the Brighton Bead Shop to look at all the goodies is always a highlight and we consider ourselves very fortunate to live so close.
Our work is done through the Flyers International Partnership Trust (Reg. Charity no. 1138887).  We don’t have a website (yet!) but if you would like more information you can contact me (Jo Allen) at goldeneagle@mountain-top.fsnet.co.uk or on 01403-257143.

Tell us a story

More beading in Moldova

We were thrilled to bits to hear that our beads were being put to such good use. We’ll be sending Jo a nice parcel of beads as a thank you for this lovely article and photos.  

Posted by: BeadsUnlimited