I am a firm believer that ALL children, no matter where you live or what your social or economic status is, should have the right to an education. Sadly, that is not the case in many countries around the world.
Did you know that that 31 MILLION girls in the world, 17 million of which are in Africa, do not have access to education? That is just girls. If you combine that with boys, I’m sure that number is a lot higher.
Girls tend to be the ones that don’t get an education. A boys education is seen as more important than that of a girl. Girls are often prevented from getting an education due to child labor, child marriage, or lack of funds.
There is a brand that is hoping to make a different in the lives of thousands of young girls by helping to cover the cost of tuition so that they can get the education they deserve, and education that can improve their lives.
The brand is called Olori.
Olori symbolizes every girl’s inherent worth and power. They believe every girl is born with an invisible crown, and should be treated accordingly. In partnership/collaboration with women-owned businesses and local artisans in (the heart of) Africa, Olori makes handbags and other products that make women feel strong, confident, and secure.
Every time you order a product from Olori, you are helping to provide tuition for an underprivileged girl.
Olori’s founder, Tomide Awe, knows all too well how important it is for a girl to receive an education.
Tomide Awe grew up in Nigeria, a country where a girl has a 73% chance of not going to school (UNESCO). Fortunately, Tomide had parents that could afford to send her to school – a fate unimaginable for 17 million girls in Africa today. This disparity did not escape Tomide, and as a result, her life revolves around finding ways to make sure that every girl gets the same opportunity she had.
Olori makes a variety of products, but they are most known for their beautiful handbags/purses. Their bags are handcrafted and feature traditional textiles from Africa. Here are just a few examples.
In addition to these gorgeous bags, Olori also sells “charms” to adorn your bag. It doesn’t even have to be an Olori bag. It can be the purse/tote that you currently use.
On the Olori site they are called “Crown Jewels.”
I was sent one to review. I received Olori’s Queen Charm.
This handbag charm featuring a woman passing the crown of empowerment on to a young girl, is a beautiful reminder of the power of sharing our strength and wisdom as women with the next generation. It’s a great gift for daughters, mothers, and sisters, or a chic treat for yourself.
With rich, jewel-toned colors and an imagery that tells a story of women building one another up and helping one another flourish as queens, the eye-catching accessory projects elegance and grace. It instantly adds sophistication to any outfit.
This is a very well made “charm.” It’s heavy (not too heavy for a bag) and very colorful. I love the gold accents. This is also a large piece that will really stand out on your purse/tote.
I’m sorry that I cannot take a photo of it on my current purse. My current purse if very small. I jokingly refer to it as a “wallet on a string/strap.” I can’t even fit my smartphone in it (I’m in the market for a bigger purse). This charm is about 1/4th of the size of my purse, so it doesn’t look right. This charm would look better on a bigger purse or tote bag.
If you are interested in learning more about Olori’s efforts to provide a much needed education to young girls, or to check out their beautiful products, visit BeOlori.com. The brand can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Those links can be found on the bottom of their website.
Kimberly
*I received a free product to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
