Bead for Life

Yesterday we had the great privilege of spending the morning at Bead for Life, an NGO here in Kampala which creates sustainable opportunities for women to left their families out of extreme poverty. We first heard of Bead for Life during a faculty inservice day with the organization, Facing the Future. When we learned that this group was based in Kampala and that they are dedicated to helping women become entrepreneurs and home owners, we knew that we wanted to learn more. The Ugandan women turn recycled paper into beautiful bead jewelry and then sell it at a fair trade price to concerned world citizens (and jewelry lovers!). Usually the women do not dedicate their lives to making the jewelry - they enter a program at Bead for life for 18 months and through the jewelry making, they learn about how to run a business, keep a savings account, etc. In fact, Bead for life has recently added soaps and lip balm to its product list - and they are fabulous!
Our morning with the women of Bead for life was more than special. We joined in the daily circle of celebration and dance with the women (they pulled us into the dance and we did pretty well). They sang uplifting songs which help to keep them motivated through their hard work of becoming independent business women. They were very kind and welcoming to us and we learned so much from them about what women can overcome with hard work and dedication. Of course, we also did a little shopping in support of their wonderful entrepreneurial efforts!
To learn more about this fabulous NGO, check out www.Beadforlife.org .