A-Z of Shopping Fair Trade - 'U' is for Uganda

Sorry folks, I missed posting yesterday (too many Gingerbread men, family movies and shopping) so today you get a TWO-fer.

The war in northern Uganda raged for 22 years, making it Africa's longest running conflict and as one senior U.N. official described it "the world's worst neglected humanitarian crisis." Out of this conflict and turmoil rose a monster and his horrific army. Since its founding in 1988, Joseph Kony’s - Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) – has subjected civilians to brutal attacks, rape, torture, extra-judicial execution and destruction of homes and communities. The LRA systematically abducted children for use as soldiers. Up to eighty percent of the group's military force was made up of child soldiers. The threat of violence left civilians at constant risk of indiscriminate attacks and displacement. The LRA is still in existence but has moved across the border into the Congo.

Fearing the LRA thousands of northern residents fled to the far south of Uganda. Many of these people ended up in the IDP (Internal Displaced Persons) camps. One of these areas, located outside of the capital city of Kampala, is known as the Acholi Slum or Acholi Quarter due to the large population of persons from Acholiland in the north. Approximately 10,000 people are living in this area donated by a tribal king. The term camp is used loosely. While the King’s charity was wonderful for the people, it was very simply a large plat of land donated for them to settle. There is no infrastructure. There is no sanitation system, no garbage removal, there are less than 10 of 4000 homes with power and only a couple sources of running water.

The major struggles for the inhabitants are similar to other IDP camps and poverty stricken areas. Namely - starvation, poor sanitation, psychosocial trauma, lack of education, and HIV/AIDS. Malaria is a major issue and young children are losing their lives. With very few opportunities, women are forced to work in the quarries crushing rock by hand. Working all day, exposed to the weather and dust, they can earn the equivalent of 75 cents. They do not earn enough for health care, education or savings for future needs. There is certainly no hope of business or home ownership. They can do nothing but afford their basic life needs of food and shelter. There is no opportunity for escaping this cycle of extreme poverty. Of utmost concern to the adults is their realization that with no access to education, their children are doomed to the same fate.

Ugandan PaperBead jewelry are made from recycled paper by poverty stricken people in the displaced person camps of Kampala, Uganda.

Quite literally, each purchase recycles hope. Without the option of making jewelry, the people would be forced to work long hours of extreme physical labor in rock quarries to earn just enough to avoid starvation.

Each product sold provides a way for them to make above average wages and be at home with their families. Each piece of jewelry sold provides them with funds that are used for food, shelter, healthcare and school tuition. These funds are also used for art and sports programs for children.

You will look beautiful in these stunning pieces.