Sewing Handcrafts in Uganda

 

I am Prudance Kengyeyo (on the far right in the photo), ACT Staff Assistant/Uniquely Uganda Handcraft Manager. The ACT Handcraft Program has three groups of women artisans: Basket Weavers, Sewers and Beaders. My responsibilities as the Program Manager are to identify new artisans to join the groups, train artisans or arrange for trainers, coordinate with the Michigan Uniquely Uganda Handcraft Team Leader, Diana Stubig among others. Our partners in Michigan represent our largest market to sell the handcrafts. I receive orders for specific handcrafts from the U.S., which the women fulfill. As they fulfill the orders, they are paid by me immediately when they deliver their crafts to the ACT Resource Center. When the U.S. teams travel to Muko, they take these handcrafts home in their luggage to sell on behalf of the women.

The Program faced some challenges due to the COVID 19 Pandemic because our U.S. volunteers were unable to go out to sell at art fairs and shows. However, I want to talk about the Program sewers who had spent a long time without receiving any orders but by God's grace last month we received an order from Diana to make aprons and the sewers were very happy that they were to receive their wages again. They testified that the wages they normally receive help them in providing the essential needs at home, pay school fees for their children and also contribute to their local association lending pools. These associations are groups of women who contribute some money and then take turns receiving the total amount. 

    Even if you don't need one more thing in your house, please consider buying a basket, piece of beaded jewelry or a sewn item to help the women earn a wage!

Check out our two online stores to purchase items: ACT Website Store or ACT Etsy Store