Focus: The Women Behind the Beads

While the almost-instant success of Strands of Hope has been gratifying, the most fulfilling aspect of the project has been the unmistakable growth among the village women who make the beads.

"While Strands of Hope provides a means for our employees to earn a salary, it is more about empowering the women and promoting self-reliance," Lowna Gie, ChildVoice program advisor explains. "It is about providing women with the strength and power to change themselves, their families, their communities, and, ultimately, northern Uganda."

ChildVoice program advisor Kristin Barlow, agrees. "Once these women realize they can do something to generate income, even as simple as making beads, they no longer feel worthless or think they're 'laying around idle,' as they put it," Kristin describes. "They now have a means to provide for their families and are proud that they've accomplished something, which helps them gain confidence for the next challenge."

With their wages, the ladies are able to pay for school fees so their children can attend school, pay for medical expenses and medications, purchase household supplies and food, and pay for transportation, among other things.

In addition to supervising the bead making process, Lowna and Kristin also spend time teaching the women financial management, hygiene and self-care, Christian discipleship, and other life skills.

"When asked, the majority of the women who work for Strands of Hope indicate that the job has taught them how to 'stay with others,' which is their way of saying how to be a good friend and neighbor," Kristin says. "After spending many years in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, the people of northern Uganda have seen a great loss in basic kindness and compassion in their culture. But coming to work in a Christian environment where they are trained to work together and recognize each other's unique talents has changed their lives."

Lowna is eager to expand the business in 2010. "I hope to significantly increase our onsite and offsite workers in the coming year," she says. "My biggest dream is to empower each of the women we employ to be self-reliant and confident of their futures."

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