By: Emmalee Wyatt
While scholars' attempt to make beads Tuesday may or may not have been successful, women across Africa have mastered the art of paper bead making. This unique art form is rescuing African women from the grip of poverty. Bead for Life is improving the quality of life for people across the world, but how did this literal “life saver” program come to be?
In 2004, Devin Hibbard, Ginny Jordan and Torkin Wakefield, future founders of Bead for Life, approached a woman making paper beads. The woman was Mille Grace Akena, a Ugandan woman who had fled to a Kampala slum to prevent her children from being kidnapped. She had began to work at the rock quarry, but she didn’t earn enough money to put food on the table, over 30% of the population suffered the same fate. After the future founders realized Millie’s talent, as well as the potential profits the sale of these pieces of jewelry could raise, Bead for Life was born.
Bead for Life is a non-profit organization that helps women rise from the brutal cycle of poverty. Women in Uganda and other African countries make these beautiful beads from recycled paper to improve their quality of life. All proceeds from the beads go to the women who make them. The goal is to create independent and self-sustaining women within 27 months. Bead for Life provides training, healthcare, education, business help, and even help with housing.
Why focus in Uganda? Uganda has suffered endless tragedies. An AIDs epidemic has already killed over a million people and created over a million orphans. A war lasting over 20 years in Northern Uganda has caused 1.5 million people to flee their homes. These refugees continue to be forced to move in slums, filthy camps, or other parts of the country. All of these struggles are accompanied by extreme poverty across the nation. Bead for Life is helping Ugandan and other African woman overcome conflicts in their daily lives.
There are multiple ways to support these hard working women. The easiest way to support Bead for Life is to shop on their website. If you would rather donate to business education for these women, explore their partner Street Business School.
If your beads didn’t turn out or you want more, check out some amazing works of jewelry the women at Bead for Life produce!
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