An Acholi Gift

I wanted to take a minute to speak about the Uganda Album. First I want to thank all who participated. The album was beautiful (formatted on mac and bound in hard cover). Fortunately it was delivered in the nick of time. In fact UPS delivered it within a couple hours of our flight taking off. Our lovable Betsy drove it to the airport and delivered it to us minuets before we boarded the plane to Uganda!

For me, presenting this album to the bead makers was a highlight of the trip. On day two we were invited to George's home to meet with him and Ester. George is the President of the co-op and largely responsible for organizational management of the Uganda side of things when James isn't there. Ester is the VP of the co-op and hands down one of the most amazing women I've ever met. She exudes a posture of Royalty.

While sitting on Georg's couch I got to go through our album page by page. It opens with a map of the United States and Mexico and contains all the locations and states where Acholi Beads are sold. This is followed by pictures of displays within some of our various stores. Until now our bead makers couldn't imagine the unique settings in which the beads are sold. The next section of the book highlighted photos of events and festivals. You sent in some good pics of displays in contrasting atmospheres and events. I was able to explain the nature of events and how our resellers are dedicated to the sale of Acholi Beads in the public sector. I was able to communicate to them your commitment to sharing their story with customers.

The next part of the book was all about you. To George and Ester I was able to read each of your messages and introduce you personally in reference to the map of the United States, your quotes and photos. It was a very intimate time and the depth of the connection was great. They were taken by photos of you wearing the beads and pics of your families. Until now they didn't understand the impact they are having on our lives and within our circles. The whole presentation of the Album took about 45 minutes. At times we each had tears.

Following lunch we assembled the bead makers and with the help of our translator Amos, I was able to publicly present the book to George and the co-op at large. In doing so I was able give them a presentation of the album. I cannot over emphasise the impact it had to tell them our stories of Acholi Beads in the states. They couldn't believe that in such a short time we have so many accounts! They had no idea that we have a growing team of sales reps and another group of dedicated resellers. I feel that we were able to give them an important missing piece of the puzzle.
The response was powerful! Shouts of "Acholi Beads" rang throughout Acholi Quarter!

They now understand where the beads end up in America by connecting with you in a spirit of appreciation and partnership. The meeting proceeded with James, Jessica and Suzie congratulating them on their ability to be successful in the most difficult and demanding market place in the world- The United States.
Our session then shifted gears to an amazing open forum about their goals and dreams. This included testimonials of where they came from, what their lives are like now, and what they are working towards through our collective effort of Acholi Beads! - (more on that to come.)

By the end of our meeting I saw a new level of pride, appreciation and determination in their countenance. We all had a better understanding of each other and a new clarity of vision and destination of Acholi Beads.

Thank you for sharing your story with them!

Housing in Acholi Quarter

These pictures are of Acholi Quarter. What immediately struck me was the difference in housing between our bead makers and the non-Achoi Beaders who reside there. Most homes are build from mud and sticks. They are one room with a blanket to divide the sleeping quarters from the rest of the house. The walls and floor are dirt. The Acholi Residents sit on the ground with something like a potato sac as a mat. They own little or no furniture and few possessions if any. They have no electricity and the sewer runs between their homes from outhouses outside.
Contrast these photos with the ones taken from George's house. His home has a small courtyard and has multiple quarters that open up to this common area. There are two other bead maker families that live in community with his family. Notice the stucco and brick on the walls. The common area is also cemented and the whole place is painted. It is also protected with a red steel security door. Inside their homes the bead makers have furniture and basic necessities their non bead maker counterparts live without. Their floors are cement and their walls are stucco. Some of the bead makers even have T.V.s and cable!
Many of our bead makers have purchased better homes, added rooms to their existing homes, and/or upgraded their features.
Thanks to all of you who support their enterprise, this is now possible!

Greeting the Beadmakers

Check out today's trip pic!
When we arrived in Acholi Quarter we were fed an increadible feast from our Leader George and his wife Monica. Outside his home awaited 21 bead makers who had made us all Acholi Beads t-shirts in anticipation of our arrival. In this photo I have the honor of meeting our Bead makers face to face for the first time!