Giving Shops
Created from 25 years of experience, give or take
In 1996, future Yuda Bands founders Brent and Laurie Whiting moved to Panama in Central America with 4 children ages 2 to 8 years old. That began a series of experiences living in developing countries around the world, seeing first hand what life in the developing world feels like.
Panama 1996-1997
Chile 2001-2002
Guatemala 2011-2012
Botswana 2018-2019
Zambia 2019-2022
Yuda Bands | Handmade in Guatemala
Even though Yuda Bands wasn’t officially organized until 2009, the REAL beginning goes back much further than that. What the Whiting’s learned pre-2009 is that two powerful focal points brought success in changing the lives of people living in generational poverty:
Education and Opportunity
With that Idea in mind, Yuda Bands was founded. Since that time, nearly $1,000,000 in scholarships funds has been raised and targeted at those two crowning principles of change. If you want to check it out, click this link:
Launched in 2025, Giving shops is an expansion of the principles and ideas that proved successful through the Yuda Bands effort, plus the additional experiences gained as the Whiting family continued engaging with individuals as they lived in the developing world.
Giving Shops continues to target and magnify education and opportunity, using technology to redefine “giving.” This unique approach creates a powerful win/win/win combo, supporting entrepreneurs in the developing world (Hometown Humanitarians) and people struggling in their communities, all while creating a beautiful connection with you, the giver. Visit our “How it Works” page to learn more.
Masiliso Asere, owner of the first Giving Shop, Happy Faces Chicken in Zambia, delivering a “giving order”.