Oyella Christine, 36, is a bundle of energy. It was Christine that first started ululating, the high pitch cry that signals joy and approval, when we first started buying beads. She is a divorced mother of 8 children ages 6 to 19. Christine was actually abducted by the rebel forces from her village. They swept into the village, grabbed a dozen hostages, burned some houses and melted into the wilderness. But Christine managed to escape and flee to a hospital where she slept for many months. Finally when a particular rebel came after her she decided she had to move to Kampala and she relocated with her children.

Because she is the sole supporter of her family most of her children have not been going to school. For ten years she worked in the rock quarry. Now she primarily rolls beads. With her money she is paying school fees, buying food and clothing. She has also been able to buy a small cupboard. Her children are now returning to school. And after school they help their mom roll beads.