Crafts!

patchwork apron

zippered bags

paper bead bags

paper bead necklaces

paper bead earrings

I know there are some people at home who are interested in the crafts made at the Malayaka House, so I wanted to put some pictures up. If anyone wants me to bring items home for them when I return, just let me know. I'm hoping that by the time I leave here I will have found a couple places at home that are willing to sell some items. Robert is friends with the owner of Healthy Living, a grocery store/cafe in Burlington, and they have a display of jewelry with some information about the Malayaka House. I would love to be able to set up a similar situation with some more places. Because there are so many people in Uganda that make the same crafts, the girls can't sell them for much here, so it's great when they get products to the U.S. or Europe where they can be sold for a price that reflects the amount of time they spend working.

So here at the house, Naiga is the head of the craft business. She's 17 years old and finished S3 last year (junior year of high school). She might go back to school next year, but right now she's working on the craft business. She goes to Kampala and buys supplies, makes all the beads by rolling paper very tightly, designs the jewelry and bags, makes the items, dips them in varnish so they're weather-proofed, and hangs them on the clothesline to dry. During school holidays the other girls love to sit and make beads with her all day. Robert told us that Naiga doesn't ask for help, but the girls just want to spend all their time with her because she's so funny and kind.

In addition to Naiga, we also have two employees from outside the house who do the sewing. Carol and Dora work Monday-Friday in our craft shop and they sew aprons, bags, cushion covers, pillow cases, change purses, and curtains. Carol does beautiful work, and she's teaching Dora everything she knows about sewing.

Enjoy the pictures, I'll put more up as they make different things.