On my recent visit to Uganda, I met up with the bead ladies. They shared with me how grateful they are for the help they have received from us. I was given more beaded jewelry to bring back to the US to sell, which I willingly do out of love for them. Mary Gispert, Director of The Gulu Project, Inc.
Gulu Beads
Gulu Beads are handmade by the Rubanga Lakica Bead Makers from the village of Wipolo in Gulu.
A group of 6 women created this group as a means for added income to help support their families. The beads are hand made by rolling thin strips of paper into tightly coiled shapes that are then strung together into necklaces and bracelets.
Their Dream
Their long term goal of owning a tractor came true through the Lenten Outreach Project in 2021. The tractor has served them well over the last two years allowing them to produce an abundance of crops. A new problem of transporting the produce to market arose as they experienced how many crops could be produced with a tractor. Their new goal is to acquire a wagon to carry their harvest.
In 2012 The Gulu Project began selling these beads to family and friends, hoping to help this group purchase a grinding mill for their village. The beads were such a success that within a year, the women were able to buy two mills and start a small business within their community.
The sale of the beaded jewelry touches lives in both Uganda and the USA. The Rubanga Lakica Bead Makers are so grateful to all who purchase their hand crafted jewelry, while everyone who purchased these items has been moved by their story and hard work. These beads have brought great appreciation to two groups of individuals 7000 miles apart!
Paper beads before being strung
Bead Maker Janet hanging beads to dry