INVISIBLE CHILDREN is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing peace in Uganda and stopping the abduction of children as child soldiers. I got to know about them through their MEND bags, which are made by women who were formerly abducted by the LRA
(Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda).
As a way to symbolize the country’s oppressive regime, I chose the basement as the setting for this shoot. The key item here is my necklace, which has one footwear charm and one barefoot charm, and it immediately brings the memory of my best friend. She was on a mission trip to Africa last summer, and when I was at the airport to welcome her return, I saw her wearing slipperettes. When I asked her where her ‘actual’ shoes were, she said – in tears – that their living conditions were so bad to the point that she wanted to give everything away … and she did!
At that moment, I was left speechless, and I remember myself helplessly asking, “What can I do to help?”
Then I found the answer in founding a company of my own to share what I love (i.e., fashion & music) and give back to the communities that inspired me. INVISIBLE CHILDREN (IC) is the organization that has inspired me most because they ideally combine fashion and culture to raise awareness and people’s contributions as well. Their MEND bags, in particular, were what I recently had been thinking of doing in 10 years! So now you know who my role models are.
Honestly, though, I had not made specific plans on how I should give; but Chictopia’s initiative helped me become more determined and goal-specific … which simply translates into this: every month, 50% of the store’s proceeds from the sale of selected items will be donated to IC. These ones will be excluded from the store’s seasonal sales, so after reading this I hope you can see why! =)
