FAQ
What is #bravehood?
#bravehood is the name of a global emergency initiative by the non-profit organization GUIDING LIGHT. In the first run, that ended on 31.05.2023, it wished to support children in emergency situations where and when it is most needed urgently. This included children suffering in Ukraine, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, among other places. By joining forces with War Child – the only specialist charity for children affected by conflict – and globally beloved artists such as Coldplay, R.E.M., Nick Cave, The Cure, Amanda Palmer, Kylie Minogue, Courtney Love, The Rolling Stones, Alanis Morissette, Paul Simon, Garbage, Portishead, Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries, Dido, Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, The Swell Season, Natalie Merchant, Wilco, and Wir sind Helden we wantedto help those in need and are able to react quickly to current global situations. All of the net proceeds went directly to War Child UK, charity number 1071659 .
Who is GUIDING LIGHT?
GUIDING LIGHT is the only international non-profit organization for ethics and sustainability in technologies. We work with NGOs and charity organizations to empower them to use technologies for the greater good and social causes. Besides UNICEF and War Child, we have worked with Greenpeace, WWF, Caritas, and many other globally known organizations. We believe in a sustainable, ethical, and responsible technological future, which is democratic, inclusive, and participatory.
In all our activities we pledge to act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy community. We strongly believe that everyone in our society regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, and level of technological experience has the right to take part in the conversation to make sure that technologies are only used for the benefit of all people. We particularly support women, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people of color. Our world is diverse, and so is our community.
That is why we also see the bigger picture of our own doing. We believe in humanity first, and our humanitarian responsibility made us create our independent, non-profit sister organization "Guiding Lights – Society to support people in need and charity initiatives" that wishes to work on causes for the most vulnerable in our society and does so by being the legal body behind #bravehood. Guiding Lights is independent, but is affiliated to and supported by GUIDING LIGHT in all of its actions.
GUIDING LIGHT is non-profit and is financed exclusively from memberships and voluntary contributions.
Please find more about us at www.guidinglight.eu
Who is WAR CHILD?
Since 1993, War Child has been the only specialist charity for children affected by conflict, circumstances which affect one in every six children in the world. War Child’s Emergency Fund distributes money to programmes around the world, where and when it’s needed most urgently, over the last 12 months this has included Ukraine and the recent devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Around the world War Child reached over 250,000 children and adults in 2022.
War Child is driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child living through war. They go to some of the hardest to reach places to support the hardest hit and stay long after the cameras have gone. They help children to heal, recover and learn. They restore the systems which provide them with safety and education. At War Child everyone understands children’s needs, respect their rights, and put them at the centre of everything we do. They empower their voices, to help them advocate for changes in systems and practices that affect them. They boldly campaign on the root causes of conflict to help create a safer future for children across the world. Because one child caught up in conflict is one child too many.
Together with their partners, they deliver their vital work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children in war. Every day, they are on the ground, in communities and in camps offering safe spaces where they can deliver life-changing services and support to help children heal, recover and learn for the chance of a better future. They also respond to emergency crisis situations where they deliver immediate and critical care to help to those who need us most, when they need us most.
At War Child, they will never give up on children affected by conflict.
With the help of GUIDING LIGHT it is possible to have a long-lasting impact on the most innocent in our society.
For more information about WAR CHILD and its work for children, visit www.warchild.org
How can I help?
By joining our community and getting an exclusive, only temporarily available, and eco-friendly certified product of your choice, you have made a donation. 100 % of the net proceeds, which means minus taxes, manufacturing, administrative costs and delivery went to WAR CHILD UK, charity number 1071659. #bravehood not a commercial initiative, nor do we wish it to be perceived as one.
Can you tell me more about the products?
The idea is simple: Artists have generously donated lyrics from their catalogue that represent hope, peace, unity, and bravery. So, their lyrics were printed on different t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags in various colors.
There was also campaign merchandise such as caps and tote bags to show your appreciation and support for #bravehood.
All items did carry hearts – sometimes even on their sleeve. All these hearts had different shapes to make clear that we are all different, but we are also all the same. We speak with different hearts together to unite as one to support a special cause.
All artists and lyrics were exclusively selected by GUIDING LIGHT and donated by the respective artists for #bravehood.
Are these products ethically produced, sustainable and eco-friendly?
All products are eco-friendly certified, and were printed on demand with care by our production partner Printful. Printful only works with manufacturers that strictly follow eco-friendly and sustainable requirements such as the use of 100 % organic certified cotton, and ensures that they are permanently covered by the required certifications (GOTS, OEKO-Tex, PETA, GRS, and OCS) and are in compliance with their Code of Conduct.
They are also regularly audited by the independent Fair Wear Foundation, a leading independent, non-profit organization that works to improve conditions for workers in garment factories.
How do you calculate the prices of the products?
That is simple and not much different to any other online store you will know. We delivered to markets in the EU, USA, UK, Australia, and Ukraine. Depending on your location you saw the items including VAT of your point of origin right from the start, so there are no hidden costs involved.
Transparency is very important to us. Once you were about to check out, you saw the exact shipping rate, delivery period, and your final price. We have ensured to make prices as affordable as possible. This is for a good cause and there is no intention behind this campaign except to raise a lot of donations for children in terrible emergency situations such as the war in Ukraine.
How long does it take to receive my delivery?
Together with our production partner Printful we will ensure that your items are delivered as quickly as possible to your address, but at the same time will also ensure that no one needs to work in unhealthy and unsafe conditions to do so. We are not a warehouse production company that promises you "next day delivery" which would mean employees in warehouses would need to work under unacceptable conditions. We believe in protecting people and in the ethics of supply chains, and that sometimes means to wait a couple of days.
In addition, all items are printed on demand to reduce overproduction and waste.
What if something is wrong in my delivery?
If your product arrived in a damaged condition or the wrong item has been delivered, please contact us.
Please also consult first our refund policy for more information.
What happens with my data?
As an organization based in the EU we strictly follow the rules of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Please find more about our high standard of privacy security here.
We are committed to protect and respect your privacy in accordance with fair information practices and applicable data privacy laws. We do not sell your data to third parties or for any commercial purpose.
Are you doing this all on your own?
You will be surprised, but this is a grassroots campaign. We are a small team of dedicated people that put this together in almost 20 hours shifts every day, and are in close and personal contact with all artists. We have met them all at eye level to ask for their support, and are so thankful that they have listened to us and opened their hearts.
We have heard beautiful stories from all of them, for instance, about the individual passion for caring about each other. We were so touched that many artists have even offered us some of their biggest commercial successes and fan favorites, although we did not exclusively ask for them. All we wanted was to simply have these artists involved, and they gave us so much more: their passion, energy, and commitment. There is a story for each of them, and everyone is as beautiful as the other. We also wanted to honor the late Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries with her lyrics after being in touch with her family. We really hope that this way we can pay this inspirational human being our last respects.
We believe in the community spirit and that even a small group of people can grow, and can really make a difference if they believe in something.
If you want to get to know more about GUIDING LIGHT and our independent, humanitarian sister organization Guiding Lights, as well as our dedicated community, please go to www.guidinglight.eu
But of course we have also needed some help to carry the load. Our partners are all good people and organizations with true devotion, and please find them listed here.
How can I support and help more?
There is so much you can do.
Head to our website, join our community, donate, or contact us for ideas. #bravehood will make a return and any helping hand is welcomed with open arms.
Get in touch with UNICEF and War Child, become a volunteer, and donate to help them to do their very important work.
Share your devotion and support on social media.
Make people aware of #bravehood #guidinglight
Follow us at
@supportbravehood
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