BEAUTY FOR A CAUSE: ALAFFIA

Now that the weather is getting colder and my skin is getting drier, I am having a major love affair with coconut. Coconut is very hydrating for the skin, so I use it externally and take it internally, as well. I have a coconut body butter, I use coconut oil on my body, as well as to cook with. I drink coconut milk and water, daily; and  most recently, I started using a coconut face toner from the brand EverDay Coconut, which is  a part of Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care and EveryDay Shea.

Founded by Togolese native,Olowo-n’djo Tchala, Alaffia is all about empowering West African communities by focusing on fair trade, alleviating poverty, and gender equality. 

#BESHADY

In honor of World Sight Day, today we're joining TOMS and being super shady. We're raising awareness for visual impairment and blindness worldwide, by wearing our shades inside. Won't you join us?

- TEAM TDB 

MUSIC MONDAY: BEYONCÉ

   

Photo Credit: Afripop! 

Over the weekend, in London, Beyoncé performed at the Chime for Change benefit concert. The global campaign, founded by Gucci, aims to raise money and social awareness for both girls' and women's empowerment. I love that Beyoncé  is a part of such a great cause, but what I love even more is her great performance.

SATURDAY WRAP-UP: LIVE BELOW THE LINE

Challenge: Live Below the Line (1.50/day) 

Groceries: 

Oatmeal (1.00)

 Cheese Dippers (1.00)

Noodles(3/.99)

Fiber One Bars (1.50)

Apples (5/1.15)

Mac n Cheese (2/1.00)

Bread Roll (.25)

Total: 6.64

LIVE BELOW THE LINE

Starting today I will be living below the poverty line, in support of the Live Below the Line campaign. This initiative aims to "challenge the way people in the US think about poverty" and bring awareness for global poverty. The challenge is to feed yourself on 1.50 a day for five days. Poverty lines vary in different countries, so those in Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand can find their daily dollar amount here.  

A DAY WITHOUT SHOES!

We're big supporters of TOMS, (I wore my red pop cord shoes everyday until my toes would show), and everything that they stand for.Today is TOM's annual One Day Without Shoes challenge. Being barefoot today is helping bring global awareness to children's health and education. 

I normally walk around without shoes anyway, so I'm glad that today I won't be the only one. I hope you all will join in on this movement.

To learn more about why we're barefoot today click here. 

Here are some pics that people have posted so far. 

TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie and employees. 

MUSIC MONDAY: LIVE FROM THE REPUBLIC

Normally, I'm not one to push my ideals and beliefs on others, but Live From the Republic (LFTR) is a cause that I just had to share with you guys. The organization combines two of my favorite things: music and charity. In an effort to bring medical supplies to health care facilities in Africa, LFTR brings an American artist every year to Africa and donates portions of the profits from the musical events to various charities. 

FITNESS FRIDAY: YOGA FOR AFRICA

FARIDA, ASHA and myself, had the pleasure of attending the Beach Yoga for Africa event last weekend. The event was held by Indego Africa, and yoga was led by Brad Keimach.

MUSIC MONDAY: MUSIC FOR PEACE IN THE CONGO

My team and I recently had the honor of sponsoring the Music for Peace in the Congo Fundraiser in Los Angeles. Being that the event benefited Congolese people, my team and I were so excited and humbled that Afrik Moto asked us to be involved. We worked closely with the group and  Fredy Tshibanda to help bring awareness and raise funds for people in Congo. All of the proceeds  went to the nonprofit Fredy works with, United for the Future. 

THROWBACK THURSDAY: RISING IN CONGO

Celebrate Valentine's Day by supporting One Billion Rising!

Congolese women dancing at a One Billion Rising event last year.

STRIKE.DANCE.RISE.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: HANSON

Back in 2007, Hanson traveled to Mozambique and South Africa to help bring more awareness to the poverty and AIDS epidemic in Africa. The trip made such an impact on them, that came back the following year. On this second trip the group partnered with  TOMS Shoes, whom was just starting out at the time, to donate a pair of shoes to children in an orphanage. 

Check out the video for the song "Great Divide", which the band recorded with a local children's choir. The proceeds from the online sales of the song benefited the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto. 

MUSIC MONDAY: CHILDREN OF AFRICA

Check out this video for the African Child Foundation. Enjoy!

Artist: Shimzie & Lil Opy

Mixtape: Children of Africa

Best Track: Ambitious Children 

-ASHA

WORLD AIDS DAY 2012

Nearly 67% of those living with HIV/AIDS are in Africa, so World Aids Day is a cause that we feel very passionately about. The name of this year's theme, "Getting to Zero",  describes the vision and goals that UNAIDS' members would like to see implemented by 2015. To read more on their specific vision, goals, and strategies, go here. Watch the video below to learn how you can easily help the cause. 

TOGETHER, WE CAN GET TO ZERO!

For other ideas on how you can help, go here. 

- TEAM TDB

MUSIC MONDAY: MANYANG REATH

Manyang Reath is the founder of the Humanity Helping Sudan Project. A refugee at the age of three, Manyang spent over a decade living in camps along the Sudanese and Ethiopian border, where he suffered from various hardships. Thankfully, after years of living in terrible conditions, he was able to move to America and attend college. 

GET FAMILIAR: PETNA NDALIKO KATONDOLO & NARCISSE MBUNZAMA

Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, Petna Ndaliko Katondolo was verbally, emotionally, and physically abused by strangers, so-called “friends”, and even teachers  for his Congolese ancestry. Feeling like an outsider, Petna turned all his energy to the arts, which allowed him to seek refuge and gave him the ability to fully express himself. Recently, the filmmaker teamed up with the organization Yolé! Africa, which gives Congolese people a voice through film and music programs.

“When I see the resiliency of the Congolese people, I can see where my family learned an ethic of never giving up and believing in a brighter day despite living in the darkest depths of despair.”

                                                         -Petna  Ndaliko Katondolo                

FASHION FRIDAY: FASHION FOR A CAUSE

FEED 12 Classics, a collaboration between TOMS and FEED

Of course we're all familiar with the great contributions fashion labels TOMS and FEED have made to help those in need, especially in Africa. However, they aren't the only ones doing their part. There are some other notable brands who are using their label as a platform to help others:

Ethiopian Model/Actress Liya Kebede founded Lemlem, which not only preserves traditional Ethipoian weaving but also gives job stability to the local weavers whose livelihood was threatened when there was no longer demand for their goods. LemLem creates beautiful hand-made scarves, clothing and home goods.

MUSIC MONDAY: GREAT CAUSE

Check out this video from Dollar for the Poor. Great message. Great video. Enjoy!