Ahimbisibwe, Joan is a great beader and has an entrepreneurial streak. The mother of three children, Joan lost her husband in 1997 to AIDS, and tested positive herself in 1999. Although she is HIV+, she is still very strong and determined to overcome the disease and poverty to make a better life for her children. Before joining BeadforLife, Joan worked at a brick factory, making bricks in the hot sun all day long.

Since joining BeadforLife, she has been saving as much money as she can, and her first investment was a small pig that she is raising. Then, after being in the group for only 6 weeks, she managed to save enough money to rent a small storefront where she sells sugar, vegetables, and other small items. Joan demonstrates what can be done with a small amount of capitol which allows poor people to begin their own micro-businesses. Joan dreams of being able to buy land so she can build a house for her family.