In 2007 Marcasiano created MADE WITH LOVE, a non-profit global initiative dedicated to raising funds and awareness for NGOs aiding women and children in need through the production and sale of products that provide a fair income for women in Brazil, Africa and Haiti. Made With Love works through the Cygnet Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit public foundation and supports the following NGOs in Brazil, Africa and Haiti..
In Africa...
MADE WITH LOVE IN AFRICA supports four organizations aiding women and children through the sale of products made by African women - Maison Rose , L'Empire des Enfants , Women of Djenné and the Batonga Foundation.
 Mary Jane with the staff and residents of Maison Rose Women of Maison Rose making bracelets
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 Children of Maison Rose
 Maison Rose Stretch Bead Wrap Bracelets/Necklaces
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MAISON ROSE (The Pink House) is a home sheltering adolescents, young single mothers and women who have been subject to physical and psychological violence. It is an oasis of hope and peace situated in one of the poorest slums in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa . Our new Stretch Bead Wrap Bracelet/Necklace are made by the women of Maison Rose providing them with a source of income.
Maison Rose Stretch Bead Wrap Bracelet $22 including shipping |
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 Children of L'Empire des Enfants
 Nurse at L'Empire des Enfants
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 Children of L'Empire des Enfants
 Mary Jane, Amy and L' Empire des Enfants Director
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L'EMPIRE DES ENFANTS founded by A.S.A.O, is a center for homeless children from the streets of Dakar, Senegal, providing them with shelter, meals, education and training programs as well as working with local organizations to return the children to their families. MADE WITH LOVE recycled rubber bracelets are made by women in Djenné, Mali providing them with a viable means of support and are sold to raise funds for L'Empire des Enfants through direct consumer sales, wholesale and strategic marketing. In 2008/09 Made With Love bracelets were sold at Coldplay concerts worldwide.
Sets of 18 Bracelets $28
 Mary Jane and Angelique
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Batonga Students from Mali and Benin, West Africa |
BATONGA FOUNDATION Founded by West African singer and Unicef Ambassador Angelique Kidjo the Batonga Foundation supports secondary school and higher education for girls in Africa so they can take the lead in changing Africa. Batonga is doing this by granting scholarships, building secondary schools, increasing enrollment, improving teaching standards, providing school supplies, supporting mentor programs, exploring alternative education models and advocating for community awareness on the value of education for girls. www.batongafoundation.org
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Our recycled rubber bracelets are customized in Batonga's colors of Yellow, Brown and Turquoise accented with a Swarovski crystal butterfly signifying Batonga's symbol of African girls fulfilling their potential. The Batonga bracelets are assembled by the women of Maison Rose providing them with a source of income. Batonga Bracelet set ( of 9 ) $26 |
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Women of Djenné, Mali, West Africa making bracelets
WOMEN OF DJENNE All the products that support L'Empire des Enfants , Maison Rose and Batonga are made from recycled rubber bracelets made by a women’s co-operative in Djenné. Mali. Paid a fair trade price for their work these bracelets provide the women with a viable means of support and and are sold to raise funds for L'Empire des Enfants, a school for homeless children in Dakar, Senegal.
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Sets of 18 Bracelets - $28
Multi Color, Blue, Green, Yellow, Turquoise, Orange & Brown plus new colors for 2011 Black, Ivory, Lavender and Pink, available for February delivery. |
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In Brazil...
ESTRELA NOVA a non-profit organisation working in the favelas of Sao Paulo to improve the living conditions of the residents of the Campo Limpo region. Estrela Nova provides day care and educational programs for the youth in this community. MADE WITH LOVE supports Estrela Nova's Fashion as a Profession program working with their students on design and production and helping create strategic corporate alliances in Brazil and the US. In 2009 MADE WITH LOVE launched the Liberty of London Bracelet, made from fabric donated by Liberty of London and has developed and produced corporate give-away products for Havaianas, Leblon and the NJTL.
In Haiti...
TURTLE TREE FOUNDATION, a Netherlands-based NGO, has created a business initiative with a group of 70 disadvantaged women in the Arbonite region of Haiti.The group calls itself FANM VERET, WI NOU KAPAB! (Women of Verrettes, Yes, We Can Do It !). The common goal is to develop a sustainable income for the women so they can support their families. Turtle Tree is providing them with the training and financing to become a co-operative of artisans and has received grants from the Netherlands and Spain . MADE WITH LOVE is working with Turtle Tree to design products and aid them in international sales and marketing. In 2009 MADE WITH LOVE helped Turtle Tree launch a new product the McSock, organic hand felted wool cases for MacBooks and iPhones
