Following our philosophy that BeadforLife tries not to give handouts, students Sponsored by BeadforLife’s Vocational training program are expected to participate in regular “Give Back” activities. This gives them an opportunity to “pay it forward” for the opportunity they have received, and to let them interact with the local community. A recent Give Back took place in Namuwongo, a slum where many of the beaders lived before entering the program.
The students worked to clean out drainage channels and pick up trash in the community. As they were working, a student named Mercy commented that many times they complained about their living conditions instead of appreciating the little they have.
Her parents had both died of HIV/AIDS, not leaving any money to cater to the children. However, they did leave a good grass thatched hut and a pit latrine. This may seem like a basic need every family should have, but in Namwongo housing is very poor, garbage is every where and the few toilets and pit latrines that are avai
lable cost a few shillings to use. Because of this, residents have resorted to using black plastic bags which are disposed of anywhere and are now called flying toilets.
- Namuwongo Slum
Participating in the Give Back made Mercy appreciate the home and private toilet that had been the only legacy her parents could leave. Another student wondered about the ability to fundraise to give more people access to proper pit latrines. Both of them left the day with a greater perspective about the opportunities they had, and their ability to help others, even before they “make it” themselves. Mercy is studying catering and hotel management and she is about to begin an internship with the Kampala Sheraton, one of the nicest hotels in the city.
Tags: Africa, BeadCircle, BeadforLife, Empowering Women, paper jewelry, Poverty Eradication, Uganda, Women Making A Difference