Earlier this week, at the 2008 International Rotary Convention in Los Angeles, Soul of Africa founder Lancelot Clark, and Tianello CEO and founder Steve Barraza spoke to help raise support for the Soul of Africa program. This program is designed not only to provide aid and better facilities to orphans and women affected by AIDS deaths, but also to provide jobs. Announced at the event were Lance Clark’s and Steve Barraza’s visions for the future for the program: a marriage of African stitched Clark’s footwear and Tianello fashion fueling this program, and providing much needed aid.

After attending the convention myself, I’ve learned a great deal more about the Soul of Africa program, and what it does specifically.

The Soul of Africa Program, created by Clark’s Shoes’ Lance Clark, is a charity program designed not just to provide aid, but jobs to those affected by HIV in Durbin, South Africa. The program has already raised $2 million this year, double what it raised through orders last year, and continues to provide for those in need.

The organization has already provided money for food and supplies for facilities in Durbin, a region especially affected by HIV. Examples of such facilites are the Kulani Adoption agency, and the Shepard’s Keep infant shelter. Steve Barraza notes observing one village in particular that aside from a new kitchen, food, and supplies, is already enjoying a full running water toilet as an upgrade from its usual bucket. This program provides gainful employment for unskilled jobless women as well. “By giving them sustainable jobs,” says Clark, “they are able to help themselves rather than hope aid may come.” All of Clark’s Soul of Africa shoes are hand stitched in Durbin, South Africa, and when each pair is sold here in the US or UK, about $8 goes to fund Soul of Africa programs.

Steve Barraza, Tianello founder recently announced his partnership in the Soul of Africa program earlier this year, releasing Tianello’s Soul of Africa line of fashion. A generous portion of the gross earned from SoA garments goes to fund the program. Thanks to Tianello, Soul of Africa provides clothing as well as shoes in a marriage of “ethical fashion,” that’s already beginning to make a difference.

Tianello/SoA had a booth open for the entirety of the convention, and the response to the clothing, shoes, and the program itself was overwhelmingly positive. Women at the Convention from around the world were excited by the prospect of looking good for a good cause.