Acai Beads for Breast Cancer is a local project working to help a Brazilian town by raising enough money to donate a mammography unit. As part of the Partners of the Americas, the Wyoming chapter is partnered with Guiás, Brazil.
Dorly Piske, president of the Wyoming chapter, said they learned about the need for access to breast cancer screenings in rural areas when a nursing professor from the Federal University of Guiás visited the University of Wyoming.
The project raises money by selling pieces of jewelry made by volunteers.
Piske said that she had seen jewelry used for other campaigns and thought that it was an “involving, exciting, fun way to raise money.” Although she knew nothing about how to bead, she thought it would be a great idea.
“It’s a grass roots project,” she said.
All of the beads that are used are seeds from the acai palm tree and other tropical plants found in Guiás. Piske said that they realized very quickly that shipping the beads was very expensive, so the beads are transported between the countries by volunteers visiting Guiás.
When the project was first started, Piske said she went to Laramie High School to look for students who knew how to bead. They hosted workshops, but when her group of students graduated high school they did not have time to continue the project. Piske then took over the project on her own and turned to the internet to learn how to bead.
This project is at the end of its third year. For the past year and a half, they have had regular workshops and have encouraged members of the community to attend, Piske said. The workshops are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in the International Resource Center in the basement of the Cheney Center. Participants may come and go as they please.
“Nobody needs to be shy,” Piske said.
If you’re an expert on beading, that is an asset, otherwise you will learn, she said.
The jewelry is sold locally at the Brown & Gold Outlet and Big Hollow Food Co-Op. During the summer, the jewelry is sold at the farmers market. They also sell at different events held throughout the year.
They are always looking for help in finding good markets to sell the items and have found help in the past through various RSOs.
To date, the project has raised about $20,000. The goal is to raise $40,000 by December 2013. “We need to be very focused this year,” Piske said. Federal University of Guiás is looking to start its program in 2014.
Piske said that the project is an “opportunity to participate in an international service project” and a great way to bring youth into the organization. It is an “exciting and fun way to volunteer,” Piske said.
Photos: Elizabeth Holder
