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Michelle Vidro’s jewelry line “14 Cows” is comprised of necklaces, bracelets and earrings made entirely of African beads. Half of the line’s proceeds are donated to benefit AIDS orphans in Kenya. Below is the story that inspired the jewelry line of Michelle’s company, Meeshka Jewelry Designs.

 

In Kenya, the Masai, a nomadic tribe who raise cattle, cherish three things: their children, their land, and their cows. On September 11, 2001 they did not know what had happened in America. In fact, they did not know until June 2002 when Kimeli Naiyoman, a pre-med student at Stanford University, returned to visit his tribe in Kenya. The young elder, 25 years old, gathered his tribe and told the story of airplanes used as bombs crashing into tall buildings that reached the clouds, huge fires, people jumping to their deaths, heroes risking their own lives to save as many as possible, and finally, the tall buildings falling to the ground below.

 

The Masai were shaken, saddened, and angered by what they heard. Losing 3,000 people at once would eliminate their entire tribe. They wanted to do something to help. The Masai were able to collect 14 cows from their tribesmen to give to the United States. The cows were blessed, and handed over to William Branick of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. Seeing as the cattle would be too difficult to transport, he bartered them at market for Masai jewelry to bring to America instead.

 

In 2004 when traveling in Florida during hurricane Charlie, Meeshka met Jairus Okiring at the Hilton Hotel on Marco Island where she and her family sought shelter from the storm. Jairus noticed her African jewelry, and she noticed his name tag stated he was from Kenya. Their fortuitous meeting led to the acquaintance of Meeshka and his parents, Bishop and Beatrice Okiring, who operate an orphanage and school for AIDS orphans. Meeshka donates directly to Bishop Okirings' organization, DEMCO, so the funds are used to their fullest potential to help the children.

 

Innocent children are the victims when both parents die. The AIDS epidemic has created an orphan crisis in sub-Sahara Africa. It is not uncommon for developing countries to have 2% of their population as orphans. In sub-Saharan Africa with 20% of all adults HIV positive, orphans can number as high as 17%. Many of these children try to care for each other, in which case hygiene, education, and finances are all severely comprimised. Others are destined to live in an orphanage where their chances for being adopted are low due to the stigma associated with AIDS.

 

Meeshka is an artisan who creates jewelry using sterling silver and beads from around the world. Before hearing about the 14 cows, she had purchased many beautiful beads that had their origin in Africa. Some are batik on cow bone beads from Kenya. Meeshka feels that if the humble Masai could do something so meaningful as to give America 14 of their sacred cattle, she could give something back to them. Meeshka realizes that it is not about what you can give, but simply that you just give. Thus, the creation of 14 COWS, a line of jewelry made exclusively from African beads, where 50% of the profits are donated to the AIDS orphanage of Bishop and Beatrice Okiring in Kenya.

Click Here to be redirected to Meeksha's 12 Cows Jewelry Site