It’s been almost two years since I returned to the rock quarry where Project Diaspora and myself are helping the Women of Kireka. I must admit, I often shrugged off the project as PD took over and I lacked of time and resources. That, and I generally do not have much faith in these “entrepreneurship” organizations. The local market is saturated, the difference made so slight. The hopes brought up and then let down far too costly.
However, being back at the quarry reminded me of why I was interested in the first place. Santa and Grace are fantastic. Enthusiastic, boisterous, grumpy and bickering, it’s great to work with real people instead of Skype and Email. There’s a reality behind the situation at the rock quarry that can only be breathed in after a boda-boda ride through hectic traffic, a hot setting sun, the train chugging out of Kampala in the distance, and the increasing depth of the rock quarry. Soon enough, these women are going to have to look for new work elsewhere (or at a neighboring quarry) at the speed the area is being dug out. Hopefully, their business will be up and running by then.
So, to share some of my enthusiasm, I’ll post a few pictures. I went up last week to survey the situation and see what kind of materials were being produced. The women have really introduced some newly inspired artistic intuition and their materials are looking better and better. It also doesn’t hurt that we have a on-site manager, Teddy’s wonderful sister who works for us pro-bono while juggling her studies at Makerere, to guide the women and Teddy going in and out teaching them what international quality looks like. We’ve also hooked up with Ida Horner of Ethnic Supplies, a dealer in the UK, who certainly injects even more flavor into the project.
And, just yesterday, I returned in the evening with three friends working in town. There is nothing like bringing customers.
You can find more pictures of the jewelry on Project Diaspora. If you are interested in purchasing beads or having a sampling shipped over, please let us know.
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