The Journey of a Cereal Box

Today has been an ApParent Project day!  It started with a meeting at 7:30 at the Elementary School.  I was able to meet with the Principal and introduce her to AP and to the Fund Raiser Bracelets.  Before I left, she had purchased jewelry and set up 3 different dates for me to sell between now and December.  Exciting stuff!

I then met Russell at the house and we headed to the church to take care of a few things.  But first we decided to stop in to a local Artisan Shop in Green Cove that had been advertising Haitian art.  After a long chat with the owner, I left several pieces with her to see how they will do in her shop.  VERY excited about the possibilities!!!!  People are always asking me if they can get jewelry anywhere except from me.  I point them to the online store, but now there may be a local shop where they can run in a pick up a few items if needed.  How cool is that?

Finally we drove over to the church to pick up the 17 boxes of cereal boxes that were ready for shipment.  Russ loaded them into the van and off we went!  I don't know about Russ (he's always a bit out of breath from lifting 500 + pounds of boxes) but I always feel a great sense of accomplishment when we walk out of the Post Office.  Like a big task is finished.  For now.  Fortunately the boxes just keep on coming.  And each Wednesday night you will find me in the Ministry Room at church packing more boxes.

I thought I would give you a photographic journey of our cereal boxes........


















Often, I have helpers.  We sort the boxes, picking out the ones that are the right size and thickness, and organize them into shipping boxes.

After only 4 - 6 weeks, I wind up with a stack that looks like this!  17 boxes of boxes ready to go!  525 POUNDS of cardboard.  I get so excited!!!!









After I follow all of my own instructions here, Russ helps me load them up to take them to the Post Office.  I am still looking for a cheaper and easier way to get them to Rays of Hope, but right now the Post Office is it.

Loading up my van.

This is so exciting!!!!!

Arriving at the Post Office

We do call before we come so as to not overwhelm these poor people too much!

Next week - they will arrive in Grand Rapids, MI at Rays of Hope to be loaded on a Sea Container.

And after about a month, they arrive in Port Au Prince, Haiti.

 I took this photo from the plane when I was landing in Haiti back in February.

When they FINALLY arrive at ApParent Project, it's like Christmas!


  They are in constant need of cereal boxes.  They go through them about as fast as they come in.

Cereal boxes mean jobs for these artisans.  They have every right to be thrilled.
















They spend time sorting everything by size and color.  They wind up with just as much of a mess as I have in the beginning!  Ha!

On Wednesdays, artisans come in and select their boxes.  

Then they find a paper cutter and a place to cut!

Once the triangular strips are cut, they begin rolling the cereal boxes into beads, covering them in a glue that will dry clear.

After the first coat of glue dries, they go outside and put a layer of varnish to seal them and give them a nice shine.

How Beautiful!?!

 Once dried and separated, they are ready to be made into jewelry.

This is Rose and one of her 7 children.  She is receiving instructions from Shelley.

An Artisan that works at ApParent Project makes at least three times the minimum wage in Haiti.

Enough to feed, clothe, shelter,educate and most importantly, KEEP their children.  There are now about 250 Haitians on Payroll - now that's progress.

 They work hard each and every day to make beautiful pieces of art for us to wear. And each time we wear it, it's beauty draws attention and we can tell their story.  What a privilege.

Someone asked me recently if I ever get tired of sorting and packing cereal boxes.  The answer was immediate.  NO.  Each time I sit and pack a box, measure everything out, get it ready to go - I don't just see a stack of cardboard.  I see the faces of these beautiful people, their children, their houses.  I see the gorgeous piece of jewelry that each one will become and the jobs that they are creating. 

Each time I leave the Post Office, I see the journey they will take and the lives they will change.

I am once again humbled and honored to be a part of it all.

Until next time.......

Here's How You Can Send Your Own Cereal Boxes