Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Heart for Africa. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA —Heart for Africa, a faith-based humanitarian organization committed to bringing hope to the Kingdom of Eswatini, recognizes the efforts of its Khutsala Artisan Ambassador, Alessandra “Alle” Hughes, of Pelham, NY. Since joining the organization as a volunteer Ambassador in 2021 when she was 14 years old, Alle, now 17, has made a significant financial impact on the Artisans efforts through her fundraising initiatives.
The Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 orphans and vulnerable children living there. The average life expectancy is 29.
In Eswatini, poverty and food insecurity often drive young girls to engage in sexual activities in exchange for food to support their families. This troubling situation leads to unintended pregnancies, a rise in abandoned babies, an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, and a heightened vulnerability to sex trafficking.
Heart for Africa tackles these issues by creating job opportunities in Eswatini and providing training for men and women in areas like beadwork, jewelry making, ceramics, computer skills, inventory management, human resources and financial planning. This training helps generate funds to support the increasing number of children under Heart for Africa’s care. For instance, the organization’s Khutsala™ artisans craft Christmas ornaments, which are sold by “Ambassadors” worldwide. All profits from these sales are reinvested into the care and well-being of the vulnerable children Heart for Africa supports.
Building on her family’s legacy with Heart for Africa—who have been Ambassadors since 2013—Alle has taken the lead in fundraising efforts for her family by pre-ordering Khutsala™ ornaments each August and managing a successful marketing campaign to sell them from September through December. Her strategic use of email blasts, social media, and local farmers markets has resulted in the sale of 816 ornaments, personally raising $9,792 to date.
The Hughes family’s involvement has been pivotal in promoting Khutsala™ Artisan products, as they have collectively raised $16,792 for the care of orphans and vulnerable children in Eswatini since the organization announced its first ornament design in 2013. Alle’s dedication upholds this legacy of commitment, with 100% of the funds she raises going directly to support Eswatini orphans.
With the unveiling of Heart for Africa’s new 2024 Christmas ornament design—its twelfth design in as many years—Alle has set a personal goal to sell at least 200 more ornaments by the end of the year. Achieving this goal would raise an additional $2,400 for Heart for Africa and bring the total she has raised to over $12,000 since getting involved. “Selling 200 ornaments will not only support Heart for Africa’s mission but also help me hit a milestone of selling my one-thousandth ornament,” said Hughes. The new design is a beautiful hand-beaded “reindeer” (see attached photo).
“Over the years I’ve found that the ornaments pretty much sell themselves because they’re so pretty, inexpensive and great for stocking stuffers, as well as teacher and hostess gifts during the holidays,” Hughes explained. Each ornament costs $12.
As she prepares to transition to college (she was recruited to play Division 1 soccer at Lafayette College, class of 2029), Alle has begun training her younger sister, Maya, age 14, to take over the ornament project next year to ensure a seamless continuation of her impactful work. “I leave for preseason just a few weeks after I graduate from high school next July and won’t be home during the selling season, so I’m going to teach my sister everything she needs to know to continue this campaign,” Alle explained, saying she was Maya’s age when she first signed on with Heart for Africa.
Katie Brown, Ambassador Liaison for Heart for Africa, expressed gratitude for Alle’s dedication: “Her unwavering support has helped bring joy and hope to the lives of countless children in Eswatini. We encourage others to follow her inspiring example and join us in making a difference.”
To preorder an ornament or ornaments for the holidays, please contact Alle and Maya at [email protected]. Ornaments cost $12 each and can be picked up in Pelham or shipped for an additional fee.
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About Heart for Africa: Heart for Africa is a faith-based humanitarian organization dedicated to bringing HOPE to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Africa, through initiatives focused on Hunger, Orphans, Poverty, and Education. Through sustainable projects and community development, Heart for Africa aims to transform lives and build a brighter future for the people of Eswatini. To learn more about Heart for Africa, please visit our website at: www.heartforafrica.org.
