Why you should use Udumo: empowering women who do the job

Women’s Day is about celebrating more than appreciation and love for the treasured women in our lives – it is a celebration of far-reaching, social transformation. It is an event to remind us about the empowerment of previously marginalised and restricted women. It is a declaration about the courage, the compassion, the determination and the talents of resolute, dynamic, undaunted human beings, previously ignored and discriminated against, who have the right and potential to play a pivotal role in every sphere of society.

Udumo Designs have a favourite, anonymous quote that says it with succinct power: We rise by lifting others.

But actions speak louder than words, and the Udumo Designs message rings out loud and clear, in the form of an enterprise created entirely from allowing formerly disadvantaged women the training to bring their fresh, original, imaginative and creative design skills to the fore.

In these words, Malala Yousafzai echoes the “unashamedly ethical” sentiments of Udumo Designs:

“I raise up my voice – not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard … we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”

Women’s Day event ideas

So, in acknowledgement of this victory, and of having snapped the restrictive chains of the apartheid pass laws, here are some ideas for turning your Women’s Day celebration into a fittingly beautiful, meaningful design display.

• No celebration is without “eat, drink and be merry”, so your table needs to look worthy of the occasion. As a fitting backdrop, why not create your own poster, containing relevant images or words to mark the occasion? To add brilliance to your table arrangement, use simple, easy, effective methods, like arranging confetti or glitter into colourful borders around your centerpiece and other festive treats, or even to spell out a name and special message. Create hanging floral arrangements with glittering messages beneath them. Design a centerpiece with paper flowers and chocolates.
  
• Have a special photo collection framed that commemorates all the noteworthy highlights in the life of the uniquely treasured Woman in your life, and allow it a prominent place on the table. Never forget the festive element introduced by balloons and ribbons – these, too, can convey the Women’s Day message of your choice. Tea candles always look festive and can be arranged in the shape of a name, and pop a pretty posy here and there – every woman’s heart is gladdened by flowers.
  
• Ask all the invitees to bring a handmade card, and gift, to add to the bright, celebratory message of recognition and appreciation. Those who prefer it, can bring a homemade food delicacy that has been packaged to carry a message. Another idea that any hard-working Woman will appreciate: a decorative envelope, containing a menu choice of a few mouth-watering meals from which to choose, to be made in her honour whenever she desires to claim it.
  

As declaration of acknowledgement of her gift to those around her, which no amount of money of money can buy – the selfless, constant, unwavering support and often unrecognized effort to enhance the lives of others – persuade the guests that gifts of equal worth must be presented as thanks to the Woman of the moment; here are ideas that should add “empowerment” to the event:

• A handmade bookmark
• Expressive jewelry, like a broach or bracelet carrying a personalized symbol or message, earrings made of beads
• Any useful home item, like a mug, or place mats, or coasters, with words of your choice
• Homemade body scent or bath oil using flowers and herbs
• A handmade photo frame
• Tablecloths, facecloths, dish towels, or even cushion covers, imprinted with cherished photographs or relevant words
• A natural ingredient face scrub or mask or conditioner
• Knitted gloves or leg warmers, or hot water bottle covers
• A carrier bag with a love/thank you message
• A special flower, like an orchid, in an inscribed or decorated pot
• Any handmade craft that can be used around the house, even if only for decorative purposes.
  
  

Better still, consider this to be your contribution to the uplifting of women:allow the talents of the women of Udumo Designs to create the décor for your event, and let your message of love, appreciation and thanks ring loud and clear.

As Rihanna put it in an edition of Harper’s BAZAAR last year:

“There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve never to take no for an answer.”

It is Udumo Design’s mission to give women wings.

Udumo Group delivers interior décor and design services by empowering unemployed people with skills development initiatives. We believe in investing in the individual, nurturing inherent skills, and uplifting communities. We hold as our mission making the future sustainable by mentoring meaningful change in the wider environment. Our interior design philosophy is to design beautiful spaces that are both functional and timelessly pleasing. We have proved that promoting the values of creative excellence, discipline and commitment can bring forth the beauty within each person and reflect it in both private and public living spaces around them.

For information on Udumo Group, visit: www.udumogroup.co.za