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Photo courtesy: The Obakki Foundation
Fashion and philanthropy go hand in hand. Just ask Obakki’s Treana Peake. While we talked fashion and style inspirations in the past, we caught up with the Owner and Creative Director once again to discuss her latest campaign with The Obakki Foundation, The Rainmaker Auction.
Valerie Tiu: Can you tell us about the Rainmaker Auction?
Treana Peake: The Rainmaker Auction is held on Ebay and it’s a 14-day project starting November 1st to the 14th and it benefits the clean water projects in South Sudan. Anybody who is able to contribute to the auction, either our celebrities who donate an item or people who buy the items, are all “rainmakers”, helping us to provide water for Sudan. 100 percent of the proceeds (the sales and money raised) will go towards this project. We’re set to drill 200 wells in the upcoming dry season (which is happening now) so the auction is the first of a few different fundraisers that we’ve started.
The items that we have are big ticket signed celebrity items and one-of-a-kind experiences. Beyoncé has contributed a huge signed poster and Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift are giving away personalized guitars. We also have backstage passes, meet and greets, concerts from Nickelback and Lady Antebellum. The celebrities have really stepped up. It should really help to generate attention and raise money for the cause.
VT: Why has this been such an important project for you? Why now?
TP: Right now there is a water emergency and a lot of crisis in South Sudan. Why now? Because today it’s needed and tomorrow is too late. So I think that if we all just get together and just do it, we can.
I visited Sudan just before Christmas last year and I’m heading there again this December. Once you go, you walk around and you know that there are fresh water beds flowing beneath your feet, but the people just don’t have access to it. It’s just really hard to get that thought out of your mind. With only two or three days of drilling, we are able to bring water to a village. Water really does change everything.
There’s a lot of tribal conflict, emergencies and health situations occurring. People are constantly nomadic searching for water. After 40 years of civil war, these people really have no chance to rebuild their country, so when we go in and provide water, it has an immediate impact. Once the villages have water, they start to form their community around this stable water source. When we have safe, clean drinking water in the village, they start to think about building houses, planting crops, and putting their children in school. So it really becomes a focal point and starts its ripple effect with residual happenings and it’s such a great thing to be a part of. That’s basically why we’re doing it.
VT: What is the most valuable lesson that you have learned in your philanthropy work?
TP: We’re a small organization but we’re very focused and result-driven. It’s overwhelming when you get there, you look around and you see one country and so many needs. When you step back and go, “Okay, let’s start,” and just see what we can do, then you really can make an impact.
It sounds very cliché, but it’s like the old Margaret Mead saying, “Never doubt that a group of small, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” It’s so true. It just takes a small group of people with very strong passion, focus and commitment that things can change. It’s something that I can see in my work. The ability to make change and create this difference fuels me and it’s what keeps my passion going. We’re not a huge organization but we are able to make a big impact, so I think that’s a valuable lesson for everyone else.
VT: What can we do to participate? Can you discuss how the public can build awareness about the situation in Sudan and contribute to the Obakki Foundation?
TP: I think it’s great if people can spread the word about the auction. I think that the social media aspect plays a big part in promotion and awareness, so spread the word through Facebook and Twitter. Come and take a look at the items. Going into Christmas, there are some really great gifts for others. It’s a great way for people to buy one-of-a-kind pieces and actually know that they’re making a difference through their donation, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the cause.
Support The Rainmaker Auction from now until November 14th at ebay.com/obakkifoundation.
