African Artisans

Uganda, Africa: Dorothy

Dorothy's Story

  Dorothy, a young African woman, has had a hard life. She was uneducated and her husband left her to raise their children alone. She was not respected in her village because she was poor. But this all changed when she started to weave! Dorothy found that she could create marvelous baskets and crafts. Her work brought her respect in her community, confidence and an ability to provide for her family. Dorothy has been able to educate her four children and is very proud that one is now attending a university! She has been able to purchase food, clothing and a house. By earning a fair wage, Dorothy has been able to change her life and her children’s lives forever! Your purchase of her woven items helps change lives!

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This group in Uganda, Africa is an organization managed by the disadvantaged to help the disadvantaged! The majority of the artisans are either people who are disabled or are widowed. Their lives are being changed from the sales of their stunning baskets!

One of the missions of this group is to provide hope to disabled people, youth, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. This group is over 85% women and is excited about the change they are making in the women of Uganda. Recently this group purchased an 85-acre plot of land where they plan to build a village. The center will be used mainly to teach youth with disabilities about income generation. Many of these young people have now successfully started their own businesses!

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Uganda, Africa: Nakato

Nakato

One of the daughter's of the artisans that work in this group!

Nakato's Story

Our beautiful Ugandan beads are hand-crafted by women in Africa. Many of these women struggle with AIDS, and this organization is empowering these women to rise above the many hardships they face in their country. They learn skills to create and to sell their products. They also learn how to provide for their family! Check out Nakate's story below.

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Nakato is a fighter. Her husband left her when he found out she was pregnant. AIDS ridden, impoverished and a single mother to a four year old daughter, Nakato started working as an artisan from her bed. 

Through her artisan work, she was able to pay her own hospital fees and bring herself back to health. In the midst of battling her own disease, she was able to send her daughter to school, and to open a bank account for herself. Nakato sees herself as a business woman, and plans to open her own shop one day.

Trades of Hope is proud to offer beautiful blue bracelets from this group of women. The purchase of these bracelets goes back to beautiful women like Nakato.