LA Jeweler Launches Collection to Help SA AIDS Orphans

In an effort to raise awareness and generate widespread support for the millions of orphans in South Africa whose parents have died or are dying of AIDS, Mia & Kompany, a Los Angeles-based jewelry company, has designed a diamond jewelry collection whose proceeds will benefit a community-based child and youth care projects in the country.

The Isibindi Diamond Medallion Collection was inspired by the Isibindi community-based child and youth care projects in South Africa. Built upon principles of family preservation and the belief, “it takes a village to raise a child,” the goal of Isibindi is to create safe and caring communities for orphans in “child-headed homes”.

The National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW), a South African non-governmental organization (NGO) along with other local governmental support initiates Isibindi projects in key regions throughout South Africa.

“I was deeply touched by the Isibindi project because it provides hope to South African children deeply in need. It empowers orphans to courageously help themselves, as it teaches child orphans the necessary skills so that they may stay with their siblings and receive ongoing nurturing and care in their family home,” said Mia Koniver, creator and designer of Mia & Kompany. Up to 20 percent of the proceeds from the collection will benefit the projects.

The collection ranges in price from $190 to roughly $1,200 and includes a 14-karat gold or sterling silver 25mm or 10mm round medallion necklace on a 30-inch or 16-inch chain or black cord; a 14-karat gold or sterling silver Isibindi tag on a 20-inch chain or black cord; and a 14-karat gold 10mm round Isibindi medallion ring.

Each medallion is engraved with the words, “Isibindi” and “Dapperheid”, a Zulu and Afrikaans words that mean courage. A diamond is embedded on each side of the medallion.

The collection is available for sale now through April 30, 2007 at a variety of retailers such as miaandkompany.com, Kitson in Los Angeles, shopkitson.com and other retail locations in the U.S.