Improving Lives With Beads and Soap

Last year I spent a few weeks in Uganda, as part of my volunteer work with the KiBO Foundation.

One day we did a short side trip in Kampala to see the work done at Bead for Life.

Bead for Life started as a chance encounter between Millie, a Ugandan woman who made paper beads and Torkin Wakefield, Ginny Jordan and Devin Hibbard from Boulder, Colorado. They bought some beads and as the story goes, the beads were admired by friends at home. One of those ah ha moments occurred and the three women figured they could develop a market for paper beads.

And develop a market they did. You can visit their website for a full rundown and watch how the Ugandan women roll a paper bead.

But this blog is about their shea butter soap.

Shea nuts are harvested in northern Uganda by a group of 760 women. These women have been through horrors most of us can’t even begin to imagine. For years they were terrorized by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Now they are trying to lead dignified lives and help their families.

Shea nuts are collected by the women, sorted, washed, broken and the final product pressed. They are all organic too. You can watch the video showing the women at work – and listen to their beautiful singing voices.

I haven’t been to northern Uganda to meet any of the women but did see the soap being made in Kampala. It’s only made at certain times of the year after the shea nut harvest. Buying one of these bars of soap which is easy to do – helps not only the 760 families involved in collecting the shea nuts – but others are helped through health initiatives from the profits.

I can attest to how great the soap is. I brought some back from Uganda and will order another box for myself and to give as a gift to friends. Such a simple act lends dignity to the lives of hundreds and gives them a much needed source of income.

If you are anywhere near Boulder, Colorado you can visit their store at 2336 Canyon Blvd., Suite 202. I hope you consider joining me in purchasing this soap.

 

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel

Photo credit: Shea nuts

 

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