Why Live Her Life?
We've been to all of them — jewelry parties, makeup parties, cooking parties...the list could go on. While each of these get-togethers has a different collection of objects to pass around and purchase, that's not always the reason you're there. It's just fun and relaxing to get together with good friends, maybe some new faces, and (hopefully) some yummy snacks.
When Amy and I were designing and planning our Live Her Life Party, we wanted to create an event like the home parties we're all familiar with, except for one amazing element — the opportunity to EMPOWER women across the globe, right from your own living rooms.
A few weeks back, we threw our own Live Her Life Party so we could show you what it's all about. So before we talk more about the why, we want to show you the how — and it's really pretty simple...
As soon as you sign up to host a Live Her Life party, we will send you a box with mostly everything you'll need for your get together (besides a few household items like a laptop and scissors). For our party, I picked up some simple snacks from TJ's and decided to have a frozen pizza ready since it was during dinner time. The main thing to remember here is, keep it simple! We want your party to be a fun, laid back evening for you and your friends — no need to get all Martha Stewart on us (unless you find that sort of thing relaxes you, and if that's the case...send us a pic of that tablescape, girl)!
Once you catch up and eat a bit, you will huddle around your laptop or tablet to hear Jessy's story. Kicking off the night with this short video is an easy way to introduce Zambian culture, and to hear directly from someone whose life has been changed forever because of people who chose to make an impact!
After Jessy's story it's time to get cooking — Everyone takes part in making this Zambian dish!
Our nshima comes in a pretty little bag made by our students and a wooden spoon from our local market in Zambia (that our hostesses get to keep)!
Making the nshima together was so fun! If we had to make this every day, there would be no need for tricep dips at the gym, hah!
After a little more snacking and trying some Zambian food, you and your friends will make your own chitenge bracelets. These bracelets were designed exclusively for our Live Her Life parties. Working together with beautiful African fabrics is something our students do everyday as they learn a new skill that will improve their lives. We wanted our partygoers to experience this hope-giving part of our training program, and love that everyone will have something to take home with them after the party is over!
Once everyone finishes their bracelet, your group will take turns reading real stories from women in the Clothed in Hope program.
This part of the party is a little hard, and maybe even a little uncomfortable...but it's our favorite part. While a lot of the stories included in this party talk about immense adversity in our students' lives, it's the HOPE and success that we need you to know about! We need you to understand that it is because of people like you — who do what they can, where they are to make an impact in the world — that these women can stand up and say that they are proud, empowered, and capable.
The final part of the Live Her Life party is inviting your friends to keep the party going! We not only want to raise awareness about the need, but provide a way for you and your friends to take part in our mission. Your group can sponsor a student during her 12-month training program, decide to give a one-time donation, or shop our product line! However you choose to get involved, this is the most important part of the night...empowering women from right where you are (and how fun to get to do it with your friends)!
So, why host a Live Her Life Party? We need you to help us tell these stories, we need you to believe in and take part in our mission. We could have sent you a box of things to sell to your friends, but we think you can do more, and we can't wait for you to join us!
Photography by Abbey Eaves
