The Bead

Nimble Fingers

.....Weave Blessings
..........Stringing Stories
...............Around my Neck
....................I Wear your Prayers
.........................~ S. Pedersen, Bead Party Guest

"Mama Torkin, welcome home!" a voice called out as I made my way along a busy street near my apartment in Kampala. Suffering from jet lag and a bit of culture shock on my return to Uganda just two days ago, I turned to see Alice Nakasawa running toward me. But this Alice was different… for one thing she was no longer skin and bones. Her round face filled with a smile as she hugged me. She clapped her hands telling me I must come and see her new house… made out of bricks! I thought of the cardboard and stick hovel she used to live in and rejoiced with her…. yes, I definitely want to see this new house. I suspect over the coming weeks I will have the joy of seeing improvements in all of the beaders' lives as they slowly work their way out of poverty. I wish each of you who are supporting BeadforLife could see these changes also.

One small bit of change-making happened last month when BeadforLife sponsored a creativity and empowerment camp, Power of Hope, in Uganda for 50 HIV+ teens. It was a huge success. We are happy to invest in these young people who will be leaders of tomorrow in the fight against HIV in Uganda.
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Here are some of the kid’s comments made at the closing circle:

I leave behind worries. I take with me to go on with determination.
I leave behind me blaming my parents because I’m HIV-positive. I keep moving on with all that I learned in this experience.
I leave behind isolation. I take with me supporting friends.
I leave behind discouraging myself. I take with me encouraging myself – to put more hope in myself – that I have a future.
I leave behind lack of respect. I am going with hope. We children with HIV/AIDS have a future.
I leave behind disappointments from the past. I take with me self-esteem.

The holiday season will be a busy time at BeadforLife. We invite those of you who have participated with us already, members of the Bead Circle, to be the first ones to sign up for a holiday party or event. It is likely that these opportunities will fill up so if you are interested please let us know as soon as possible by going to the website and reserving the date you want. Let’s share the bounty of the holiday season with our friends in Uganda!

Warmest wishes to each,
Torkin Wakefield
Director

Meet Angela Mulinda

"I'm the one for this job," said Angela firmly but with grace and a hint of shyness. A year and a half ago we were holding interviews to hire our first Ugandan coordinator. We had no offices yet and so we conducted our public business on the terrace of the Speke Hotel in downtown Kampala. Angela was correct; she was the one and she has been a primary pillar of the Uganda BeadforLife staff ever since.

Angela is college educated, a real accomplishment in Uganda where few girls get to go to high school. She is responsible for all of the direct programs in Uganda including organizing the beaders' groups and programs, buying of the beads, and supervising/ mentoring the staff of eight. Her intelligence and instincts are keen and her sense of humor keeps us all in a good mood. You might recognize her from our website store as one of our favorite models for showing off the beads. It is young people like Angela that will help build the civil society of Uganda. We are so proud of her.

At the end of September she married a very lucky Englishman, Anthony Stuart. You can see by her photo her inner and outer beauty. We congratulate her and wish her a long and happy marriage.

The Bead Circle

Over the past year we have begun referring to all of the people who participate in BeadforLife as the "Bead Circle". If you are getting this newsletter you are a member! This is a growing international circle of activity, caring, sharing beauty, and hope. Participating whether by rolling, selling, or wearing beads, enriches everyone. Below are three letters that exemplify the richness of the Bead Circle: one letter from a party hostess, one letter from a woman who brings BeadforLife to her college events, and one letter from a beader.

Dear Supporters of BeadforLife,
My name is Joan. I am an AIDS widow with 3 children. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much with all my heart and my family. Before I joined Beadforlife, my health was not good at all and because I did not have money, I could not afford to get medication, food for my family, school fees for my children, and house rent. I could only afford to provide one meal a day and that also was not very good food.

Then I was enrolled to Beadforlife and I learnt to make beads and my life really improved. From my earnings from bead sales I bought a pig and goat that I am keeping till they are big then I can sell them at a profit. I also bought a bed. I have also started a small retail store and also managed to move to a better house now that I can afford to pay rent on time. I am now healthy and I don’t get sick that often.

The most important thing is that Beadforlife is going to partner with us to build houses. I have opened a savings account in a bank and I am now saving my money so I can build a house. I really really thank all the people that are buying our necklaces. Thank you so much for helping us get out of poverty.
Yours truly, Joan Ahimbisibwe.

From a Volunteer who brings BeadforLife to college events:

Dear BeadforLife,

I am writing to let you how much I love volunteering for your organization. I have just received my 2nd package of beads this year. I work for a college in Southern California and have had my fourth BeadforLife event today on campus. I love sharing about your organization and sharing with our community about the wonderful work you all do with your staff in assisting in eradicating poverty in Uganda.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to connect with others and educate the public on this important cause. I plan on continuing to assist your organization and feel honored to volunteer for you all. Please let me know of any additional help I may assist you all with.
Sincerely,
Desiree Woodruff M.Ed

And from 2 Bead Party Hostesses:

Dear Beadforlife,

It was truly an honor, a privilege, and GREAT FUN to host a Beadforlife party. Helping to empower the impoverished women of Uganda is something very close to our hearts, especially after seeing for ourselves the conditions there this past spring.

We especially enjoyed going to the Beadforlife headquarters in Kampala to see the gorgeous handiwork the women are creating. These hardworking women truly desire to better their lives, and we thank you and applaud you for all you do to assist them in their efforts.

Everyone at our party loved the beads. We were overjoyed at being able to connect with our “sisters” halfway around the world and know we could help make a difference in their lives. Please extend our thanks to all the Ugandan beaders for their precious work, and thank you for all you do here in the U.S. to bring women together for the joy and betterment of us all.
With love & joy,
Cheri McMurren and Cindy Crompton

Take Action

Create Jobs in Africa by Writing Congress

BeadforLife is powerful proof that poor people in Africa want jobs not handouts. And a US initiative called the African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) provides just that - trade policies that promote industry and jobs in 37 African countries.

Now one part of that policy that has created jobs in clothing manufacturing is in jeopardy, along with 150,000 African jobs. A congressional effort to renew the policy is underway, but will need support of a majority of the congress to pass.

Please write your congressional representative today to ask them to support reauthorization of AGOA to protect jobs in Africa. Click here

Click here for more background on this issue.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our first CD!

From the Heart of Beadforlife
Songs from African Women Leaving Poverty Behind

Just as we promised in the last Bead our CD is ready. It is a full bodied sound of African women singing from the heart of hope and success. The voices will bring our Ugandan sister right into your home. The songs are catchy and the words touching. We hope you will enjoy it.

Order your CD today from our website store: $15 each

Shopping is Giving!

The holiday season is fast approaching which makes this a great time to purchase BeadforLife items for your loved ones. BeadforLife jewelry is an ideal gift for both women and men. And speaking of men, the Band Bracelet looks fabulous on them giving a sense of strength and intrigue. Men also look great with single strand necklaces.

Band Bracelets for the men in your life $15

Single strand necklaces add an elegant flare to any outfit $10

Coming soon: Gift certificates will soon be available on our website (prices range between $10- $100)

From the Heart of BeadforLife CD - $15

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. Please remember BeadforLife when looking for gifts with meaning!