ProjectFocus: Strands of Hope

Gleaming beads slide, one by one, onto the delicate cord, having been transformed from unwanted poster paper destined for ruin to vibrant jewelry designed not only for fashionable accessorizing, but also to help support the restoration ChildVoice International brings to war-affected youth in northern Uganda.

Like the poster paper, the women crafting the beads also faced uncertain futures. But that was before they became wage earners in ChildVoice's income-generating project, Strands of Hope - a multi-faceted venture that goes well beyond jewelry design. Strands of Hope creates jobs that empower local women, supports ChildVoice programs for war-affected youth in the community, and brings hope to war-torn northern Uganda.

In spring 2009, Lowna Gie, ChildVoice program advisor, along with Strands of Hope's first ten employees - women from the villages of Lukodi and Kulubel - spent several days learning the bead-making process. "After our four-day training, it took us about a month before we were making quality beads," Lowna explains. "Now we have a staff of 21 women making beads, all who have completed training and perfected their technique."

From Paper to Poster

The bead-making process is relatively straightforward with practice, but the journey from paper to bead has numerous steps. Supplies are purchased in Kampala, a five-hour drive south of the Lukodi/Kulubel area, and then transported to the ChildVoice Lukodi Centre, where the bead-making occurs. First, the paper is marked for cutting and then cut with a paper cutter into long thin triangular strips. The paper strip dimensions, along with the weight of the paper, determine the size the resulting bead will be.

Next, the paper is rolled tightly around a needle into a bead, and secured with glue. The first quality control check follows. If the bead is acceptable, it is then varnished and dried six times, followed by another quality control check. Now it's time to string the beads into necklaces and bracelets of various sizes. Lastly, the beaded strands are passed through quality control for a final inspection before being added to inventory.

The bead-making employees share in a variety of roles in the process - paper cutter, bead roller, quality control and varnisher, and stringer. Each of the women work eight days per month. This schedule allows time for their other daily duties, such as caring for their children, working in their gardens, fetching water, and preparing meals. They are paid a fair wage and also have the opportunity to earn a large bonus if the monthly target for production is met.

Pam Hilton, ChildVoice bead project director, manages the inventory and distribution of the handmade beads. According to Hilton, Strands of Hope beads are being sold in the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

"Earlier this month, a webstore was set up on the ChildVoice website where beads can be purchased online," she announces. "In the short time since Strands of Hope began, the demand for the beads has grown substantially and we're excited at the potential the webstore provides."

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