ABOUT THIS PROJECT
My daughter’s drink was spiked and she nearly died. Sadly, some girls do, others are robbed, assaulted, raped, or gang-raped. It is not ok!
South Africa has, according to Interpol, the highest incidence of rape in the world, with many cases linked to the use of date rape drugs, where victims' drinks are spiked.
I had no idea drink spiking was so rife and such a problem in society but, after it happened to someone I love, decide to be a Victor and not a Victim. I was determined to turn our mess into a message and be part of the solution.
THE BACKGROUND
My daughter, Skyla, was out one Friday evening at a restaurant in an upmarket suburb at 19h00 and her drink was spiked. The effects the spiking had on her were horrendous – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It took her 2 months to recover and for the blood in her eyes to subside, she could have died. Sadly, some girls have, whilst others were assaulted, robbed, or raped.
The mother, Mrs. Peach Piche’s philosophy is that everything in life happens for a reason, you can choose to be a “victor” or a “victim” so she chose to partner with Skyla to see how they could turn the “mess” into a “message” and prevent incidents like this from happening to any other girls or women.
The Drinkerbell was born but had to do more than just solve a problem and protect women, Peach insisted it includes empowering women, which is why all manufacturing is done by women who have been upskilled and employed by Embocraft Trust, as well as have a “give back” arm which is why a portion of all sales goes back to the Jes Foord Foundation to sponsor trauma counseling for women that have been raped. This started off as a heart project which Peach and Sky would love to see become a movement #stopdrinkspiking!
Having been a Guest Speaker at many Conferences and Events, Mrs. Peach Piche is now determined to use her voice to raise awareness, make a difference and save our girls!
Drink spiking is a criminal activity and, like any crime, requires a criminal mind and opportunity, so minimising risk seemed the obvious way to go.
This is NOT a nightclub issue, it is happening in bars, restaurants, at house parties, and even on business trips and at corporate events. Even soft drinks are being spiked!
THE PLAN
Drinkerbell was born to solve a social crisis – a range of pretty, practical scrunchies that girls can wear in their hair or around their wrists so it is ALWAYS on them. It has a secret compartment housing a liquid-resistant drinks cover and re-usable, eco-friendly silicone straw that girls pop out when they order their drinks to cover the glass with. It fits almost every size glass and can be washed and used over and over again.
Not only is it a visual deterrent for a would-be spiker, but a physical one too, as nobody can drop powder, tablets, or powders into the drink.
Drink spiking statistics are staggering, of the 954 women interviewed, 57% admitted that they had been spiked, 32% more than once but 62% of them interviewed admitted they didn’t bother to report it, as they saw no point. I was a guest speaker at a Businesswomen's event last week and 6 of the 23 women in attendance had had their drinks spiked. We did a pop-up market last Saturday and 11 women shared their stories with us, the youngest being 16 and the oldest being 60!
We launched a month ago and have achieved the following :
- Been interviewed on 5FM, ECR, Cape Talk, and Highway FM
- Had an article printed in the Daily News
- Have been approached to feature in April Get It mag
- Have an article in the Crest Mag in April
- An article in the May edition of Senior Living Magazine (for parents and grandparents to purchase for daughters, granddaughters, nieces, etc)
- Awaiting confirmation of 2 interviews on University radio stations
- Sponsorship from UHI Media to increase our social media footprint and raise awareness
- Spoken at 2 Business Women's events
- Done 2 Pop Up Markets at Shongweni Craft Market
- Secured 6 agents nationally
- Secured 8 stockists
- Approached 11 national franchises - nail bars, etc to become stockists
We are SO determined to make a difference and are working hard at it! Let us save our girls and be part of the solution! Every girl needs one!
This passion project had to tick 3 boxes – save women’s lives, empower women and give back.
We have collaborated with Embocraft Trust and upskilled previously disadvantaged women to sew and do all the manufacturing of the Drinkerbells thereby creating employment.
A portion of all sales goes back to the Jes Foord Foundation (www.jff.org.za) to sponsor trauma counseling for women that have been raped.
We need funding to scale and get the product out there. Girls/women should be able to purchase a Drinkerbell from every gift shop, nail bar, petrol station forecourt shop, restaurant, bar, retailer, bottle store, or wherever they are! It's all about accessibility.
Truth is, the more we sell, the more women we potentially save, employ, and the more we contribute to Jes Foord.
In order to scale and supply all the stockists and agents, we need to purchase rolls of fabric, point of sale countertop boxes, marketing material, ad space and packaging, employ more women from the community to do all the sewing, and fund a road trip to speak at high schools.
Please consider funding this amazing project that embraces PASSION, PEOPLE, and PURPOSE.
Together we can make a difference! Let's STOP DRINK SPIKING and SAVE OUR GIRLS!
See Drinkerbell
YOUR REWARDS
- Pledge R50 = Reward #1: Group Shout Out
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- You get a group shoutout as someone who takes a stand against drink spiking on our social media platforms
- Pledge R100 = Reward #2: Personal shoutout
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- You get a personalised shoutout and tag on our Social Media platforms for taking a stand against Drink Spiking
- Pledge R350 = Reward #3: 1 black Drinkerbell incl courier in SA + social media shoutout
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- Get a Black Drinkerbell +shoutout: You get a black Drinkerbell including courier in South Africa + social media shoutout
- Pledge R750 = Reward #4: 2 Drinkerbells of YOUR choice +shoutout
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- You get to choose 2 Drinkerbells from our awesome range of fabrics incl courier in SA PLUS a social media shoutout
- Pledge R 1000 = Reward #5: Name a Drinkerbell + get 3 of your choice
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- You get to choose 3 Drinkerbells from our range + get to have a Drinkerbell design named after you for 2 weeks (ie Sam's Summer Loving or Brian's Born To Be Wild) + a social media shoutout
- Pledge R 2500 = Reward #6: Name 3 Drinkerbell designs + get 6!
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- You get to name 3 of the new release Drinkerbells for a month + you get 2 of each incl courier in South Africa + a listing on our Donor wall on our website + a Social Media shoutout
Thank you in advance from our hearts to yours.
Updates
WHOOOHOOO we did it – thanks to all of you!
A heartfelt thanks to everyone that backed us, it means the world! I will personally thank each backer but, to those that donated anonymously, please accept our sincere appreciation. Every cent matters!
Our passion to prevent drink spiking and the related trauma burns brighter than ever, and it is only with the assistance of those around us that we can empower, employ, donate and create.
Thank you for making that possible. Together we can…and will… make a difference.
Much love and gratitude
Peach and Team Drinkerbell
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Project FAQ
Who am I?
- Peach Piche is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and mom of 5 children ranging between the ages of 23 and 17.
- To say that her life is full is an understatement, but she chooses to be energised, positive, and sees opportunity in everything she does.
- Her business, Fresh Eyes, was born 23 years ago out of identifying that the Hospitality industry needed a solution, and the same could be said of the founding of Drinkerbell.
- Her daughter, Skyla, was out one Friday evening at a restaurant in an upmarket suburb at 19h00 and her drink was spiked. The effects the spiking had on her were horrendous – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It took her 2 months to recover and for the blood in her eyes to subside, she could have died. Sadly, some girls have, whilst others were assaulted, robbed, or raped. Peach’s philosophy is that everything in life happens for a reason, you can choose to be a “victor” or a “victim” so she chose to partner with Skyla to see how they could turn the “mess” into a “message” and prevent incidents like this from happening to any other girls or women.
- The Drinkerbell was born but had to do more than just solve a problem and protect women, Peach insisted it includes empowering women, which is why all manufacturing is done by women who have been upskilled and employed by Embocraft Trust, as well as have a “give back” arm which is why a portion of all sales goes back to the Jes Foord Foundation to sponsor trauma counseling for women that have been raped. This started off as a heart project which Peach and Sky would love to see become a movement #stopdrinkspiking! Having been a Guest Speaker at many Conferences and Events, Peach is now determined to use her voice to raise awareness, make a difference and save our girls!
Where are we based?
- Hillcrest, KwaZulu Natal
Why Crowdfunding?
- To scale and make Drinkerbells accessible to ALL girls and women to prevent Drink Spiking
What is the plan once 100% funding is received?
- Manufacture and distribute nationally
- Reach and save more lives
- Employ more women
- Sponsor more trauma counseling
