Make an international difference next week at the Monroe Free Library

Library hosts African jewelry sale and international pot-luck dinner Monroe - The Monroe Free Library will offer a unique gift opportunity on Friday, Aug. 5, beginning at 2 p.m., when it will sell handmade African jewelry on behalf of international nonprofit, BeadForLife. BeadForLife has a simple model. They partner with Ugandan women living in poverty, and encourage them to make handmade bead jewelry, which is then sold in the United States. BeadForLife paid nearly $1 million to the jewelry makers in 2010, dramatically increasing the income of the artists. There are several types of jewelry available, and a wide variety of prices. The least expensive items cost less than $5, and the most expensive necklaces cost $25. For more information about the organization, visit www.beadforlife.org. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Aug. 4, kids and teens are invited to share their own heritage at the international pot luck dinner. Children in grades K through 12 are asked to prepare a dish that represents their culture (past contributions have included tomatillos, sauerkraut and lamb vindalu). All participants will then sit down at 5:30 p.m. to sample each other’s offerings. Free registration is open now by calling the library at 783-4411.