CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
EditorsMay 20, 2008
Sending out an SOS
As I mentioned in my first post when I returned from Africa (aptly titled "Back from Africa"), one experience I had there that really touched me was visiting the SOS Children's Village in Botswana. According to information from SOS, an...
As I mentioned in my first post when I returned from Africa (aptly titled "Back from Africa"), one experience I had there that really touched me was visiting the SOS Children's Village in Botswana.
According to information from SOS, an international organization that operates 1,600 villages in 132 countries, there are a total of three children's villages in the African nation of Botswana. They are: Tlokweng, Francistown and Serowe. On my trip, we spent the better part of a morning at Tlokweng, visiting with the children and families there.
Here's how the children's villages' concept, which was started by a man named Hermann Gmeiner after World War II, works: Each house in the village is run by a "Mother" and an "Aunt." In Botswana, these are women who voluntarily leave their own families in nearby towns and villages to help run households of up to 12 children. They receive a monthly allowance, which they allocate to keep the house running and take care of the children, just like any good mother would.
The children stay in the house until the age of 14 or 15. At that age, they are moved to the youth houses and prepared for the transition to the outside world, where many go on to lead productive, independent lives.
The idea behind the SOS Village is that it gives orphaned or abandoned children the chance to live with other children, who essentially become their brothers and sisters, and know what it's like to be part of a regular family, with routines and rituals. (Natural sibilings that enter SOS' care are kept together in the same house.)
The village, as a whole, functions just like any neighborhood. There is a kindergarten for pre-school-aged children, which also is open to the surrounding community.
Neighbors in the village get to know each other, and look after each other's children.
Overseeing the whole operation is a village "Father," who, along with other male employees, serves as a father figure for the children.
In Botswana, you coudn't help but smile as you followed the winding walkway that led from house to house. Each house was painted a different bright, pastel color. Children were everywhere, clamoring to hold your hand, to be picked up, hugged. They also love having their pictures taken—check out the adorable girl I met on the playground at SOS (right).
At it turns out,
they also like to take pictures themselves. This is me (left), as photographed by one of the little boys I met at SOS. I had to literally pry the camera out of his hands when it came time to say good-bye.
At one house, I took some time to talk to the mother. Here is a woman who left her own family—I believe she told me she had raised two children of her own—to raise another dozen kids that she doesn't know and isn't related to.
She lives in a very simple house and shares a bedroom with the other woman of the house, the aunt, not to mention the fact that the house also belongs to a dozen small children. She told us that she finds the energy to raise 12 kids "in her heart."
I guess that's the only place you could find the energy to exhibit such selfless behavior.
For more information, or if you would like to donate to the SOS Children's Village in Botswana, please visit www.sos-childrensvillages.org or call the SOS National Coordination Office in Botswana at (267) 3953 220. Donations of clothing, food stuff, books, toys and sporting equipment are welcome.
You can also sponsor a child, sponsor a village or sponsor a specific house or project.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
