Archive for the Dreams of Africa category
History was made today
by Admin on October 1st, 2009
Betty William’s has always had a dream …. a dream to help refugee children seeking shelter in safe zones countries to be housed, nurtured and educated. Through the Cities of Peace for Children, the main focus of WCCCI has been to find a country where we could build a city and give children hope. Hope to believe that there is a possibility to live a life and feel accepted by humanity. Understanding that these children have no home, Betty has fought for over 30 years to see each child has their right to be considered a valued human being.
And her dream has come true.
Through the compassion of the Italian people, the first city is about to open its doors to refugee children in the region of Basilicata. With the strength and determination of Betty Williams, Rusti Findley, Laura Kiss and Enzo Curzo, WCCCI has created history with the first charity to also have a working foundation run the first City of Peace for Children.
On 5th June, 2009, Betty was in Basilicata with the wonderful Vito de Filippo (President of Basilicata), Salvatore Iacobellis (Mayor of Scanzano Jonico), Domenico Esposito (Mayor of Sant’Arcangelo), and other notable guests to sign the papers and official create a foundation that would run the City of Peace for Children in Basilicata.
Known as Città della Pace Basilicata ONLUS Foundation (CDP ONLUS), the foundation is now legally operational, and ready to run the daily activities in Basilicata.
To all who have been involved with creating this historic moment with Whiteflash and ther WCCI, we thank you with all our hearts. Humanity will look to this event, and will see the amazing people who took one small step forward in changing the lives of children who reached out their hands for help, and found the love of the Italian people.
Diamond Pendant Marks Dream of ‘Total Peace’
by Admin on September 28th, 2009
Online diamond retailer whiteflash.com along with the World Centers of Compassion for Children International (WCCCI) launched an initiative in Denver, Colorado, in which 100 percent of proceeds from conflict-free diamond pendant go to WCCCI.
The $4,400 Dreams of Africa(TM) diamond pendant will only be available from whiteflash.com
“Our Dreams of Africa are not for partial peace. They are for total peace,” said Debi Wexler, CEO of whiteflash.com. Wexler along with WCCCI’s founder Betty Williams are jointly working towards building safe and nurturing environments for children “who need a second chance in life. If we start teaching peace at the beginning of these young children’s education, we will help these children to shine like brilliant diamonds for the world.”
Specifically, the partners will focus upon helping children who have suffered from conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other countries in Africa.
“We need consumers to understand that there is a huge difference between blood diamonds and conflict-free diamonds,” said Wexler. “Not all diamonds are ill-gotten. When diamond mining is undertaken in the correct manner, without child labor or government conflict, the profits build infrastructure and serve as a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of people. As a socially responsible design company in the diamond industry, we believe it is our duty to support children who have suffered under blood diamond conflicts and to create awareness in order to combat such illicit diamond trade.”
Wexler and Nobel Laureate Williams joined the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to speak out against global conflicts and increased military spending at the expense of human health and welfare.
Whiteflash.com and WCCCI will work to establish the first learning center, headquartered in Italy, which will provide scholarships for children from Sierra Leone and other locations across Africa, and to instill values of peace and understanding during these children’s early education. Italy’s government donated land to build the learning center.
Whiteflash Dreams Of Africa™ to Honor New Charity Partner
by Admin on September 28th, 2009
On Friday, September 15, twelve Nobel Peace Prize winners gathered in Denver, Colorado to voice their desire for the building of education and peace in impoverished and war-torn areas of the world. This was the largest-ever gathering of Nobel Laureates on US soil. Luminaries such as the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu attended to speak out against global conflicts and increased military spending at the expense of human health and welfare, especially children’s rights.
As a part of this momentous conference, Debi Wexler, CEO of the premier online diamond retailer Whiteflash.com, presented the new Dreams of Africa™ pendant to WCCCI founder Betty Williams, a 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner, to support the company’s commitment to providing safe havens and educational opportunities for children. Signifying the beginning of a charitable partnership between the two organizations, 100% of the sales proceeds of this $4,400 conflict-free diamond pendant necklace (available exclusively at www.whiteflash.com) will be donated to the WCCCI in the creation and support of learning centers to provide a second chance for children to be educated about peace.
“Our Dreams of Africa™ are not for partial peace. They are for total peace,” Wexler said. “Betty and I are aligned in our vision to build safe and nurturing environments for children who need a second chance in life. If we start teaching peace at the beginning of these young childrens’ education, we will help these children to shine like brilliant diamonds for the world.”
Specifically, Whiteflash.com will focus on efforts to help children who have suffered from conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia and other African countries. Conflict or “blood” diamonds are illicitly smuggled diamonds, the sales of which are used to finance wars against countries’ legitimate governments.
“We need consumers to understand that there is a huge difference between blood diamonds and conflict-free diamonds,” said Wexler. “Not all diamonds are ill-gotten. When diamond mining is undertaken in the correct manner, without child labor or government conflict, the profits build infrastructure and serve as a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of people. As a socially responsible design company in the diamond industry, we believe it is our duty to support children who have suffered under blood diamond conflicts and to create awareness in order to combat such illicit diamond trade.”
In coming months, Whiteflash.com and WCCCI will work to establish the first center for learning, headquartered in Italy, with the purpose of providing scholarships for children from Sierra Leone and other African countries, and to instill values of peace and understanding during these children’s’ early education. Land has already been donated by the Italian government to start these centers until hot spots of conflict stabilize in vulnerable areas of Africa.
Whiteflash.com and WCCCI will also work to develop a web site that features the Dreams of Africa™ pendant as well as information on the largely-successful United Nations resolution, the “Kimberly Process,” which uses rigorous tracking to ensure that illegal blood diamonds are not available for sale around the world.
Stars Shine with Whiteflash at Alzheimer’s Charity Gala
by Admin on September 28th, 2009
Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of film legend Rita Hayworth, is a brilliant star in the fight against the disease which took her mother. On November 14 she shined her brightest in diamond jewelry from Whiteflash at the annual Rita Hayworth Gala; the world’s most successful fund raising event for Alzheimer’s Disease research. Princess Yasmin wore the Whiteflash Mesh Bracelet featuring over 9 carats of Whiteflash ACA superideal sparklers in 9 dancing rows ($19,000). The ring was a 5 carat Whiteflash ACA Hearts & Arrows diamond in a platinum “Champaigne Pave” ($160,000).
Donna Dixon, wife of actor Dan Akroyd, looked splendid in a new “Whiteflash Signature W Necklace” and unique “Princess Whiteflash Earrings” sporting a pair of blinding 5 carat Princess-cut diamonds ($310,000). All told, Princess Yamin and Ms. Dixon will set the room ablaze in over a half-million dollars of Whiteflash diamond jewelry.
Whiteflash.com in association with the Mark Kearney Group also donated two “Dreams of Africa” diamond pendants to the Gala’s silent auction for a total of over $10,000. The Dreams of Africa program was launched in August: Whiteflash is donating 100 percent of profits from sales of a designer range of diamond jewelry and other merchandise to the victims of conflict diamonds in Africa. Whiteflash has partnered with Nobel Laureate Betty Williams’ charity, the WCCCI, to fund relief for children with no red tape or industry in the way. The company’s message to consumers: “As jewelry retailers and consumers we cannot change governments or politics, but we can turn diamonds into a gift for life.”
The 2006 Gala honored former Miss America and Alzheimer activist Phyllis George. Inspired by The Four Tops hit, the evening’s theme, “Reach out, I’ll be there,” featured a performance by Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald, and combined the music and magic of Motown with the renowned style and splendor of a Rita Hayworth Gala.
Since 1985, the Rita Hayworth Galas have raised more than $42 million for Alzheimer’s disease research and support programs.
About Whiteflash.com
Whiteflash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, a computer entrepreneur, founded Whiteflash.com in 1999 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. Whiteflash ACA is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands and custom designed jewelry. For more information, log on to www.whiteflash.com or call 877.612.6770.
Whiteflash Dreams Of Africa™ in the Emmy Suite
by Admin on January 8th, 2009
Whiteflash CEO Debi Wexler was on hand to discuss diamonds that go “beyond conflict-free” with Hollywood’s elite in the “Iced Out” Emmy Suite prior to the 58th annual Emmy Awards.
Geena Davis, Larry King, Debra Messing and Corey Feldman were among celebrities interested in the Whiteflash promotion, which centers on the sale of certified conflict-free diamonds while donating profits from those sales to fund relief for families in still-conflicted regions of Africa.
“The pendant’s sparkling conflict-free diamonds symbolize innocence and the sapphires symbolize truth” says Wexler. “The center stones represent Africa and the glittering spirals portray our dream of expanding awareness of this plight to the outer circle, which symbolizes the world we all live in.” Worn near the heart, Wexler’s artistic expression is intended to touch the hearts of all who share the Dreams of Africa.™
Wexler comments, “The political obstacles in these countries are historically considerable. Being simply ‘Conflict-Free‘ doesn’t solve the problems in Africa.” Wexler believes the information age presents opportunity beyond the protectionist work the Kimberly Process and the USA Patriot Act are doing.
All diamonds at Whiteflash have been secured through legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions, in accordance with the Kimberly Process and the USA Patriot act.
To find out how you can do more to assist in humanitarian efforts, or to purchase your own Dreams Of Africa™ pendant to fund relief, contact Whiteflash.
About Whiteflash.com
Whiteflash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, a computer entrepreneur, founded Whiteflash.com in 1999 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. Whiteflash ACA is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands and custom designed jewelry. For more information, log on to www.whiteflash.com or call 877.612.6770.
SOS Sierra Leone
by Admin on January 19th, 2007
Sidibay’s Story - Freetown, Sierra Leone
by Admin on January 17th, 2007
Diamonds Help the People of Africa
by Admin on January 16th, 2007
“ The diamond industry is vital to the Southern
African economy.” — Nelson Mandela
Diamonds and their revenues play a key role in helping to develop Africa. They have made—and continue to make—significant contributions towards development and prosperity in a number of countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world. As a natural resource, rough diamonds represent one of the main sources of revenue for many African diamond-producing countries and create livelihoods for millions of people. The revenues generated not only increase the overall standard of living, but also fund essential government services such as health, education and development programs. More
Whiteflash.com on Conflict Diamonds
by Admin on January 15th, 2007
Whiteflash on Africa: “DiCaprio acted it…I lived it.”
by Admin on December 11th, 2006
Unintended Consequences:
When told that Leonardo DiCaprio would not let any date of his wear diamonds many reacted angrily. “With respect to Mr. DiCaprio; he acted it, many have lived it and that’s the wrong message. These people are among the world’s poorest. Diamonds are vital to their economic stability. We must stop the exploitation by those in charge, not boycott innocent people into further poverty.” DiCaprio later recanted his statement, saying that consumers should verify that diamonds they are purchasing are conflict-free.
Exploitation thru Greed:
Whiteflash points out that illicit trade and related conflict is not limited to diamonds. Ivory, rubber, gold, copper, oil and now coltan are resources in areas where innocent people are paying the price. “Anywhere you have rich resources and poor people the situation can be exploited by those with weapons. Violence and destruction are a quicker path to what greedy people want than the building of infrastructure and stability.” Whiteflash points to Botswana as a shining example of what should be occurring in other African countries. “They have used their resources for development and their people are growing in education and prosperity.”
Conflict-Free is Not Enough…
“But Conflict-free is not enough,” Whiteflash says. That is why Whiteflash initiated the Dreams Of Africa program where 100 percent of all profit from the sale of a designer line of jewelry goes to fund relief for victims of conflict. Whiteflash says “As a company we can’t overcome politics or governments but we can create magnificent jewelry. We can use our conflict-free diamonds not just to avoid conflict, but to heal the wounds.” Whiteflash emphasizes the importance of helping children, which they believe has universal appeal: “A stunning ring, a pendant or earrings become even more attractive when the money you paid for it might save a child’s life. In that sense, this is the most beautiful jewelry in the world.”
