BY CREATING IN OUR WORKSHOPS, YOU HELP US SPREAD COMPASSION ABROAD. ​ ​ Gem Studio believes in creating an environment for our local community to gather, refine and reform gems. We also work to refine and reform impoverished communities. Gem Studio’s humanitarian efforts uniquely help others across the world. ​ Over the past 5 years, we have been involved with humanitarian work in developing nations, including work on several entrepreneurship and micro-loan projects, planned medical outreaches and important construction projects. A portion of the profits made at The Gem Studio are used to support our orphanage in Uganda. We also sell rings made by young girls in Nepal who have been rescued from sexual violence and donate all of the proceeds back to them.  ​ Our relationship with the Ugandan orphanage was born out of a humanitarian trip for a volunteer organization based in Uganda. Gem Studio founder Matt felt inspired to be there and knew he needed to find a way to leave his mark on this beautiful country. This dream came to fruition when Matt met a local Ugandan woman named Carolyn Bisikwa, who wanted to start an orphanage in her village. What started as a tin shed and a number of mud-walled classrooms on top of a hill is now a growing orphanage, home to over 60 children. These children have lost their parents due to death, abandonment, neglect, or abuse. Gem Studio's team members return often and work to provide a loving and safe environment for them to grow up in. Our hope is to have changed the course of these children's lives. Gem Studio donates a portion of its profits to the orphanage to help fund the children’s futures.  ​​  You can also visit our efforts at www.1heart1mind.org