Pura Vida; the Bracelets that Give Back
Combs High School is home to more than 1,400 students and staff. These are people that have lived through hard times and have watched others struggle as well. Some with family problems as serious as domestic violence, Others losing loved ones to illnesses such as various cancers or living their own lives with autism and other disabilities.
Sophomore Kami Troutman’s dad, Jeff Troutman, has had type one diabetes for the past 24 years. In support of her father, Troutman bought a diabetes awareness bracelet from an organization called Pura Vida; a bracelet distributor that gives jobs to artisans around the world.
Troutman was a teacher’s aid for the life skills class last year. She became friends with students living with autism which inspired her to get the autism awareness bracelet. In support of a good cause, she also bought the breast cancer awareness bracelet.
Troutman was originally drawn to the bracelets because of their style. The bracelets were also a symbol of awareness and hope. She now has a monthly subscription which gives her three bracelets each month.
“They were really cute and waterproof, so that was a plus,” Troutman said.
Pura Vida is on organization with an awesome backstory and an even cooler cause. According to the Pura Vida website, the journey of two men inspired the brand that is now giving back to many people.
The story begins with two men named Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman. The two men were traveling through Costa Rica when they came across two bracelet artisans named Jorge and Joaquin.
At the time, Jorge and Joaquin were living in poverty. They slept with their families in a single crammed room with three beds.
Thall and Goodman were taken aback by the colorful handmade bracelets. The bracelets were art that these two men wanted to show to the world. They took 400 bracelets back home to San Diego and sold them at a local boutique. All the bracelets sold out in just a few days.
Soon after, Thall and Goodman partnered up with Jorge and Joaquin. The bracelets started gaining attention and soon It became a movement symbolizing the simple things in life.
Today, the bracelets are worn by millions of people around the world. Pura Vida Bracelets provide full-time jobs, in positive working environments, to over 150 artisans across the globe. The bracelets stay a reminder to slow down and live in the moment.
Other than the jobs it gives to bracelets artisans, Pura Vida gives back to multiple charities with their Charity Collection.
Pura Vida has partnered with over 190 different charities around the world and they have donated more than $1,500,000 to different causes. They are always on the lookout for more charities that can benefit from the collection.
The world is full of deserving causes and Pura Vida wants to give them all that they deserve. It’s a simple way for people to get involved and contribute to the greater good. Something as simple as a bracelet can leave a lasting impact on the world.
