“When the story of these times gets written, we want it to say that we did all we could, and it was more than anyone could have imagined.”  ~ Bono

 

Welcome Sanyu

I want to share one of BeadforLife’s most incredible experiences.  This week we will buy the first beads from our newest group – “Sanyu,” which means  “Joy.”  These 60 women and two men make up our 9th group - a small miracle in itself.

The first day Sanyu came to our office I saw a beautiful diversity.  Many women were nursing babies or tending toddlers. There were two albino women and an acid attack survivor who lost one eye to the attack but who had an incredible smile.  There was a man with withered legs using wooden crutches, and there was a five-week-old baby with a cleft palette sitting on his mother’s lap.

On that first day I saw looks of uncertainty, shyness, and curiosity. Whispers passed between women who were strangers but would soon be colleagues, friends and sisters. I told them that this was the first day of a journey we would take together. BeadforLife was a way out of poverty for those willing to work hard, take risks, learn, and push themselves to launch businesses.  They cheered and clapped with a look of hope in their eyes. And then they learned to roll their very first bead, the first of thousands that will become their stepping stones to a better future.

Join me in welcoming Sanyu
into the BeadforLife family.

Devin Hibbard
Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director


 

The New Sanyu Group

Meet Hassani, Our BeadforLife Baby

One day in Oct. 2007, a baby arrived at the BeadforLife compound. Its maternal grandfather handed it to our gardener, Karim, with the words: “You gave this to my daughter.  I’m giving him back to you.  Don’t come around again.”   Karim, a 22-year-old with little education was clueless as to what a baby needed.  As he went about his gardening duties he sat the baby in the dirt.  The baby did not move or cry because he was malnourished.  He was dull-eyed and listless, and covered with scabs and ringworm.

To the rescue came Alice, Evelyn, Collins, and Gorrety who work on our inventory staff.  They scooped up the baby, named Hassan, wrapped him in a colorful shawl and took turns carrying him around each day, keeping him close and well-fed, singing to him while they worked. Before
our eyes Hassan began to return to life.  First he gained a little weight.  Then we saw him waving his arms.  In time he began to smile and
make small noises. 

Now, two years later, Hassani is the darling of the office toddling into each room to be exclaimed over.  He has been raised by all 26 staff members of the BeadforLife team and our dog Bosco. His dad has also learned how to take care of a little person.  Hassan now speaks English and Luganda, his tribal language.  Here he is on his first day going off to preschool.  Maggie, BeadforLIfe Deputy Director in Uganda, reports,  “Bosco jumped into the car to accompany Hassan on his first day.  As we arrived at the preschool, Hassan bounced up and down in the backseat, giggling.  No first-day tears for him.”  We are so proud of him. It does take a village to raise some children.



BeadforLife Featured on PBS Jim Lehrer NewsHour and NBC TODAY Show.

BeadforLife is honored to have our story told on the Jim Lehrer NewsHour and on the TODAY show, both within the past six weeks.  Viewers are enthusiastically signing up for BeadParties and buying beads on the website.  A big welcome and thank you! We hope you will feel at home in the BeadCircle working with us to eradicate extreme poverty.

Women Make a Difference

We find that when women get together there is energy and creativity, and nowhere more so than with the women in our BeadCircle. They are incredibly successful in bringing BeadforLife to their colleagues. If you belong to a women’s group, whether local or national, and would like to bring BeadforLife to your group please let us know at by emailing Leah@BeadforLife.org.
 
Here are two examples from recent months of women making a difference:

  • Northwest Catholic Women’s Conference
    Imagine hundreds of women walking around sporting beautiful BeadforLife necklaces. Picture a BeadforLife booth with women five-deep trying to get close enough to buy jewelry. This was the scene at the Northwest Catholic Women’s Convocation in early May near Seattle, Washington.

Excerpts from the BeadforLife video played at the opening ceremony and the choir sang along, “BeadforLife, ya, ya, ya, ya!” All of the presenters received beads. Of course many of the women attendees wanted beads too. Thanks to BeadforLife Community Partner Pat Lewis for bringing us to this inspiring conference.

  • Dining for Women
    In March, Dining for Women hosted 58 dinners/BeadParties countrywide to support BeadforLife. Both organizations believe that through education their members become agents of change capable of altering the face of world poverty. Because of our shared mission and success together these past few months BeadforLife and Dining for Women now have an ongoing partnership. Every woman has the potential to change the world by launching her own Dining for Women chapter or hosting a BeadParty.

To start a Dining for Women chapter, visit diningforwomen.org.
Visit BeadforLife.org to host a BeadParty or purchase jewelry online.


Good Luck, Campbell

Three years ago Campbell Meyer joined BeadforLife in Uganda to help us build affordable housing.  He took on the arduous task of vetting properties for a village.  Our criteria was extensive: good water, close to main roads, near schools, clear title, affordable, fertile soil.  Once the land was purchased, Campbell began building the village, first in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and more recently on our own.  The dream has now been realized with 131 houses, a community center, a guesthouse, two wells, a football field, and refuse center. Gardens and hope are abundant.

Approximately 1000 people now call Friendship Village home, largely due to the passion and hard work of Campbell.  In July he will leave us for graduate school at MIT.  Campbell will always live in the hearts of the villagers. We know he will use his education to continue his career in helping the poor attain affordable houses.   We love you, Campbell.  May all the best surround you.



Friendship Village now features 131 houses built by the beaders

Today marks a new milestone for BeadforLife as we launch the official BeadforLife Blog!  We are really excited about this new opportunity for education and connection.  It is our hope that this will expand our BeadCircle while also bringing us closer together in a collaborative space. Please visit our blog and subscribe to receive blog updates via email:   http://www.beadforlife.org/proof/blog//. We look forward to hearing from you.

Teaching Global Issues: Travel to Uganda July 11 – 24, 2009

There are only two spaces left in the “Teaching Global Issues” trip for teachers to Uganda! You've been providing "hands-on" experiences to your students for years. Now it's time to have one yourself! Your teaching will never be the same. Spend two weeks with other teachers who are bringing global issues to life in the classroom. Uganda provides an incredible background for exploring issues of poverty, health, and seeing wildlife conservation and the environment. For more information: www.ConservationConcepts.net.

 


Shopping is Giving

We often focus on using BeadforLife beads as a way to celebrate and reconnect with loved ones.  BeadforLife jewelry can also be a symbol of hope for those overcoming hardship.  Just as the Ugandan beaders have turned their lives around by transforming worthless paper into beautiful jewelry and sustainable income, we too can turn difficult situations around through courage, hope and love.  Let the beads be the symbol of new beginnings.

Great Gift Ideas …

Bangle Bracelet: These versatile bracelets can be worn individually or in combination for bright and interesting jewelry designs. $5

3-Strand Bracelet:The elegant 3-strand bracelet adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit. $15

Single Short Necklace:This simple and elegant piece is our most affordable and popular necklace. $10
  
Check out these and other items at our webstore:
Your gift gives twice; once to the lucky recipient and once to the woman who made the beads.


Handmade Beads

Letters from the BeadCircle

Dear Ugandan Sisters,
Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful jewelry with all of the women in my family.  Not only did they love the beads, but they also love the stories and learning about Uganda.  Without meeting you all in person, you have touched each of our lives and will always be in our thoughts and prayers.  You inspire me.”
       
 Jody from Bloomington Ill.

photos by Charles Steinberg