Kenya’s westerly neighbor, Uganda, has been experiencing civil unrest for nearly 30 years. Hundreds of people have been massacred and thousands more abducted. Thousands upon thousands of native Ugandans have witnessed atrocities most of us could not imagine. There are few who have not been directly affected by the loss. As a whole, Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world. According to WorldBank.org, in 2012 nearly 38% of the population of Uganda was living on less than $1.25 per day. Just under 90% of the people live a rural lifestyle. Often, women are left to tend to family and household duties in addition to working long hours in agriculture, which garners meager

income. Many turn to small-scale entrepreneurial endeavors such as raising and selling local animals or making handicraft items like baskets and jewelry.

Our Recycled Paper Bead jewelry was handmade from start to finish by some of these hardworking women. Each order we make helps some struggling mother to put food on the table for her family or send her children to school. Each purchase provides hope and makes a real difference.

Artisans use a paper bead making technique that requires patience and an attentive eye. They begin the process of creating recycled paper beads by procuring recycled newspaper, magazine pages or wall posters. They cut long, triangular strips from the colorful paper. Then, one strip at a time, they roll the strips around a needle forming a single paper bead. They glue the end of the strip, dip the bead several times into a nontoxic sealing varnish and then string the beads and hang them on a line to dry. What results is a colorful, one-of-a-kind, water-resistant recycled paper bead. We have some fabulous paper beads for sale in the form of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Find a unique recycled paper bead piece that speaks to you!