Most of the time we remain completely unaware of the consequences of our words and actions - good or bad. Like pebbles tossed into a lake we may notice the initial splash but not where the ripples go. Every now and then we discover how far some ripples travel and realise just how connected we all are.

Susan Storm, a well-known jewellery designer from Sydney, was recently in Cape Town and visiting Hout Bay with a friend.
Susan travels around the world looking for unusual beads to use in her one-of-a-kind designer necklaces which are sold through her Sydney shop, Mayagems, which she runs with her partner, David Sutherland. A sudden downpour forced them to take shelter in a nearby shop, which happened to be Original T-Bag Designs. This successful business and community project makes a range of projects decorated with hand-painted recycled tea bags.

Whilst in the shop Susan noticed some paper bead necklaces made by Mothers for All members. Jill Heyes, the founder of Original T-Bag Designs, had commissioned our mothers to make some necklaces out of scrap tea boxes and was fortunately on hand to explain all of this to Susan.

Susan fell in love with our beads and the fact that this project was not only helping the caregivers but also their young charges and the environment. She made contact with Mothers for All and the result is that she is now making sophisticated necklaces using our Mothers' paper beads. She and David are also helping to raise money for Mothers for All as well as its profile by linking with celebrities in Australia, such as Wanitha, a well-known chef.

An article our partnership with Maya Gems is due to be featured in a forthcoming edition of Oprah magazine in South Africa and a necklace made out of old Oprah magazines will be presented to Oprah herself.

Below is a picture of the Wesbank group in Cape Town, whom Susan visited and shared some necklace-making skills, as well as Susan with Donnah, the Cape Town co-ordinator, and one of the Mother's children.