Ahead of World Refugee Day this Sunday, U2 guitarist The Edge has joined a new project to raise support and funds for refugee women through the creation and sale of collector's item guitar straps.
Social enterprise Love Welcomes, which was set up in 2017 in response to the refugee crisis in Greece, is spearheading the new initiative, which also aims to provide employment for refugee women.
Each guitar strap is hand sewn by refugee women and includes an orange strip of upcycled life vest worn by refugees in their journey across the Mediterranean before arriving in Greece.
Proceeds from each sale goes back to the refugee community. The first five-hundred straps sold will also receive a personally signed postcard from The Edge.
Speaking about the new initiative, The Edge said: "In difficult times, we all cling to the hope of a better future. Love Welcomes works with women and families who have been through the very worst of times, unimaginable trauma and life-changing events."
He added, "The causes of forced migration are super complex but in the end it’s a very human problem that demands a humane response. The principle ought to be "treat others as you would have them treat you".
"Love Welcomes attempts to do that, and I am proud to be part of their initiative to provide opportunities and employment for migrant and refugee women."
The guitarist wore one of the straps in the official music video for the UEFA Euro 2020 song We Are The People and each unique strap includes the message 'Love Welcomes' as well as morse code stitching woven into the strap which says 'The Edge’.
Morse code is included in Love Welcomes products as a way for women to share messages through the products they create.
Abi Hewitt, CEO and Co-founder of Love Welcomes, said, "We are delighted to be collaborating with The Edge to create these beautiful hand-sewn Guitar Straps that help refugee women begin to stitch their lives back together.
"The support and dedication from The Edge makes a real and lasting difference to the lives of women seeking out a better future. Each time you buy one of the unique guitar straps, you’re supporting a refugee and her family as they begin to rebuild lives shattered by war, one stitch at a time.
"This is a real story of hope, how new skills and employment can bring a steady income, so a better future awaits."
Since each guitar strap is unique and made to order, they are available for pre-order via www.lovewelcomes.org, costing £75, €80, or $100.
Each product includes a unique URL where the customer can access a private web page, introducing them to the women who are making the products and other musicians who have purchased the strap, including The Edge. Together musicians can upload photos of themselves with their own strap on to the site.
"What might seem like a simple thing, the purchase of a guitar strap or any of the beautiful, handmade products available through this initiative, is much more than that," The Edge said.
It is an investment in the future. The future of independent, confident, skilled women who are rebuilding their lives and the lives of their families.
"With this guitar strap I hope to help Love Welcomes create employment for refugees but also, I want to give musicians a chance to show solidarity with the victims of forced migration. Now to all you musicians out there, go buy my guitar strap!"
