SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
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,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
