This page is supported by www.infoafricanow.com
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This page is supported by www.infoafricanow.com |
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DORCUS BEADS INITIATIVE |
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The Dorcus Beads Initiative is a micro-enterprise of women of East Africa. The Dorcus beads are made from recycled glossy magazines and are produced by women in Uganda and Kenya. BACKGROUND
In 1994 Dorcus was attending an HIV/AIDS workshop in the Sudan. Dorcus was unable to travel back to Uganda because of some internal conflicts between Uganda and the Sudan and was invited to stay with a women while the conflict was settled. The lady Dorcus was staying with was making beads from re-cycled paper, she taught Dorcus how to do this. When Dorcus was able to return to Uganda she began transferring that skill to women in the local communities in Kampala, Uganda. Dorcus became a volunteer for the Salvation Army and began to teach women in various Army locations. ACHIEVEMENTS Dorcus currently works with two women’s groups of approximately 30 women in each group. These groups are located in the Naguru Slum near the major city of Kampala in Uganda. The ladies in the group collect discarded and unused magazine newspaper and to look for ways to retail the products that they have made. The groups meet once a week at which time they bring the items which they have made and together they determine the items that will be added to the common stock of the group. The remainder of the items they have made they retain and are able to sell on their own.. The end result of this process is that monies raised through the sale of the products either by themselves or by the community group are used to: 1. Support their own children with schooling, clothes etc. and other basic household needs. 2. Raise funds to purchase water tanks and toilets. 3. Organize and support local kids and youth clubs which meet once a week,to respond to the psychological needs of children who are affected by HIV/AIDS. 4. The beads used as 'entry points' for wider community conversations to strengthen care and support for widows and young women.
After the beads are made, the women find local and other sources for the sale of these beads. The monies derived from the sale are used to support there own families, children who are left as orphans due to the death of their parents from HIV/AIDS and other community needs. This page therefore has the intent to be sharing stories from these women
who are finding ways to support themselves, but also share some of the
products that are on sale. The Dorcus Beads Initiative is being advocated
and accompanied by April Foster and Meble Birengo based in Nairobi. |
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Dorcus,
who now lives in Uganda is a team mate and friend of April Foster and
Meble Birengo who are based in Nairobi. Dorcus has been part of the HIV/AIDS
Facilitation Team in Uganda and has been responding strongly in support
to Orphans and vulnerable Children. 
This
venture has now expanded to Kenya and the community of Kithituni. The
work in Kithituni started with just 3 women. It now has over 50 women.
These 50 women make beads at home from recycled newsprint, and then bring
to the community gathering where they finalized the product with varnish
at a local shop.