WHO WE ARE
Musana Jewelry is a non-profit organization that works with women in Lugazi, Uganda to design, produce, and sell beautiful jewelry, both in Uganda and in the United States. Musana identifies women with whom to work in at-risk populations, such as single mothers and women who are HIV-positive, who are in the greatest need and are determined to create a better life for themselves and their children.
Employment with Musana means developing self-reliance through consistent employment. A full-time job with Musana results in economic stability, the opportunity to gain marketable and transferable skills, and the option of supplemental English, health, and business education, which together lead to empowered individuals who become leaders in their community. Musana is a spark of opportunity that powers the growth of individuals, their families, and everyone else the artisans’ light touches.
THIS CAMPAIGN
With the incredible opportunity for increased production over the past eight months, Musana has been able to hire more women and collaborate with more women’s groups in Lugazi Town. We want to expand our social services to meet this growth, so our holiday giving campaign is an effort to cover the funding costs for the first six months of 2013.
THE IMPACT
Contributions will have a direct impact on improving the quality of life of the artisans Musana works with, including professional English instruction and a business development class of each artisan’s choice. It is the implementation of these programs that will have the truly profound effect of opening doors of opportunity for each woman and her children.
We have already seen shy, quiet artisans blossom into outgoing leaders with the help of English instruction and the confidence gained from building your own business. Even what seems like a relatively minor offering, such as being able to provide a two-hour workshop on contraception, can upend destructive local tall tales about the dangers of birth control and provide women with the tools to take control of their bodies and reproductive cycles. For Musana, providing social support for our artisans isn’t the icing on the cake, it is the fundamental reason for our existence.
WHAT WE NEED
With the six-month budget we’ve created, we plan to make vital improvements to our social services programs, in everything from hiring a highly trained English teacher, to subsidizing the artisans’ children’s school fees and providing internet access to improve computer literacy.
Musana’s 6-month wishlist:
English teacher training: $100
6-month English teacher salary: $192
English learning materials for 10 women: $50
6 months of internet: $720
6-month health instructor fee: $72
50 treated mosquito nets: $220
10 business training classes: $480
Nursery school fees for 6 children: $162
Primary school fees for 13 children: $367
Secondary schools fees for 2 children: $240
Subsidized university fees for 2 children: $680
Total: $3,282
WHAT YOU GET
Your donation has a real impact on the lives of the Musana artisans, so we are offering small tokens of appreciation for your gift. Check out the sidebar to the right -->
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Spread the word! Share our fundraising campaign with your friends and family, on your social media outlets, and consider purchasing some jewelry as holiday gifts!