These beautiful beads were handmade in Kampala by Rukia Ramathan. There is a massive problem with rubbish in Bwaise as the goverment privatised collection and families can't afford to pay for it to be taken away . When it floods, like it is right now, the rubbish gets washed into water channels and it flows through peoples houses.

The women's groups we work with are tryin to find creative ways to recycle some of it.

 Rukia explains how she transforms what would otherwise be landfill into beautiful jewels...

“I make the beads from papers, news prints, cut offs from printers and discarded packaging. I cut the papers using scissors. After cutting the papers we roll them then use glue to fix them tightly. Finally, we varnish to keep them waterproof. To make bead like these long necklaces can take between three to four days but I think they are beautiful when they are finished.”

Rukia was widowed in 2005 and was left to bring up her young children alone. She managed to raise and educate them despite the obstacles she faced from her family and the community.

Rukia is tirelessly active member of TWG womens group one of the two womens groups we work with. Rukia says "Joining the group has given me confidence and faith in myself. The group has helped me to gain respect in my community and my fellow members are a great source of encouragement – they are now like my sisters who are always available whenever I have a challenge''.

Rukia is a modest woman so fellow member Florence Masuliya explained “Rukia joined our group in 2003 and she is now our General Secretary. She is one of our most active members and she has recruited lots of community members to join the group.

 "She is very active in our home visit programme where she provides counselling services to family members in need of support. She also gives first aid services to the sick before they are referred to health units for more treatment and is involved in a other social groups and community initiatives where her services are being high appreciated by all of us."

Children playing with rubbish in Bwaise

By buying Rukia's beads or any of our beautifully made products you will be helping Rukia earn an income from her craft as well as helping her and the group reach out to more children and families in their community in Bwaise.

Each o f Rukia's necklaces are individual and unique, the beads come in long strands (c160cms each) so you can wear them long, wrap them or knot them - all this for just £10.00!

Click on the photo above to order.