(Eid) Gifts for the Women in your life

I've been a member of their Facebook page for some time, but I recently rediscovered "Uganda Beads" and their ethical, stylish, "recycled" jewelry. Each piece is made from recycled paper by poverty stricken individuals in "displaced person camps" (e.g., refugee camps) in the capital city of Uganda, Kampala. As their "about us" section states, each purchase quite literally recycles hope. Without the income generated by the making and selling of this (beautiful) jewelry, the artisans would be forced to perform difficult and dangerous work inside rock quarries in order to survive. Instead, each product sold through the site provides them above average incomes, as well as allowing them to remain home with their families.

This is a trio of my favorite products from the site-- first, the Jungle Necklace Short.

Image from: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0227/7719/products/junglenecklaceshort2_1024x1024.jpeg?523

Next is the Jungle Triple Bracelet: 

Image from: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0227/7719/products/Uganda15_1024x1024.jpeg?523

And lastly, the Loop/Oval Earrings and Jungle Drop Earrings:

Image above from: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0227/7719/products/earringscircle_1024x1024.jpg?523

Image from: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0227/7719/products/earrings2drops_1024x1024.jpg?523

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I love these items for their versatility-- they would literally go with ANY outfit. I also love the fact that the artisans creating the jewelry are benefiting from it, and that it's not just being sold by a co-op with little of the proceeds being funneled back to the artisans. I also like the prices-- for the necklace and bracelet, it's $12 a piece. The earrings are $10 a pair. For items of this quality, and for the MEANING behind it, I truly think that's an amazing deal. 

Also featured on the company website, http://uganda-beads.myshopify.com/, are testimonials from some of the jewelry's creators: Akot Alice, Aloyo Christine, Auma Esther, and Jessica Langoya. Each of their stories is heartbreaking in a way, but also a story of triumph over adversity. 

Each purchase from this website will not only bring joy to the one receiving the gift, but also, HOPE to the one creating it. And hope is something we can all use a little more of sometimes.