Believe in a woman. Empower a community.
Transform a nation.
ader, Northern The View from P
Uganda....
Akola Project Jewelry
in on ars of war, stra ye + 20 y b ily ked heav hum and a: A town mar rain on the sorg st t, en Pajule, Ugand nm ro vi ing for us. The strain on the en nge and a bless people’s faces, le al ch a is re ah. Drops fall live he mi-arid savann se cotton fields. To to in h rt no nut the South turn teppes of shea S h. ac ro p ap fertile lands of ns its people iny season feig ery pore, while ev h ug on tin as the ra ro th ts ea air that pricks scape that sw off hot, sticky nd trees dot a land fe d an s ad in that its from forehe ce of blessing la p a wipe red dust e… ul aj fortably. But P s: incredible, in a few word the skin uncom , re a n e m o w vere. The ng. The lines in residents perse ng, empoweri ti lif p u l, u rf e of life as a nt, pow s tell the story el he strong, resilie n o ks ac cr world and on hands, and ildren into the ch g faces, calluses in g rin b , g ands, parts ing, workin relatives, husb to ye b d o farmer: subsist o g agedy, to them, saying e found after tr b saying goodbye r ve ne ill w , ed to live never return der veils of a ne un en d d hi of self that will , ns otio mained, the scarring of em eration that re en unmistakable g e th r fo re cool breeze, a better futu w life, hope, a ne f o ns and bring forth io ss indicating new survived. Impre white flowers f o generation that fs uf p , d in m in the w to be formed. dangling sorghu , and new lives ed ch at th e b uses to nandez grass, new ho per & Sabrina Fer
- Jim Kas roject Staff UAPO Mukisa P
Ashley Turner Photography
THE AKOLA PROJECT
Jinja, Eastern Uganda
Empowering women with skills to uplift their families and communities
SERVING OVER 200 WOMEN IN FIVE VILLAGES IN EASTERN UGANDA
Taylor Cole - Miami, FL - Eastern Uganda It is good to be back in Uganda! After studying Fashion Design at Florida State University, I brought my knowledge and skills in design to assist with the growth of the Akola Project’s new handbag collection. It’s been wonderful to revisit the familiar faces of the Akola women who have taught me much about patience and resilience. Over the past several months, we have exchanged ideas and I have integrated their traditional techniques with my modern designs. With the assistance of the women in the North and East, I have acquired two different palm weaving techniques that I have used as the foundation for the handbag designs. I am also working alongside a local leather manufacturer in order to enhance the quality and strength of the product. Throughout the process, we have sourced local materials and investigated native methods to keep the project sustainable. In doing so, I have been able to immerse myself further into the local community and learn more about the Ugandan culture. As I share the final designs with the women, I hope to empower them with an additional source of income, as well as expand their creative capabilities.
AKOLA PROJECT DESIGNS
AkolaProject.org
MUKISA PROJECT
Pader District, Northern Uganda
The new center will provide vocational training, health, and agricultural programs
SERVING THREE DISPLACED COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN UGANDA completing the express my emotions on to me for t cul diffi ibly It is incred rt to finish, has r. This project, from sta nte Ce al ion cat Vo ni Ke Konye life. Not only rning experience of my lea e ibl red inc st mo been the ent skills, but more struction and managem have I learned new con h people from just w to work side by side wit importantly I’ve learned ho gine. The whole ima away from home I can about the farthest placeenriched my life in so many ways, most of UAPO experience has ky to have been ver. I consider myself luc co dis to yet ve ha I which am grateful to project, but most of all I this on rk wo to nce cha given the come together and nity in Northern Uganda mu com this sed nes wit have s a better life. take the next step toward ston, TX
-Chris Petty, Hou
Dry season greetings fro working with a team m Northern Uganda! Sabrina and I are of two dedicated Ug Anthony and Jennife andan individuals, r, and the women Konye Keni Women wh o comprise the ’s Group. This Sprin g we have establish a home, office, and ed friendly working relat leaders. New clea ionships with local n wa ter wells are bein community membe g drilled, an wells are receiving rs living near previously drilled UA d PO water and sanitatio n training. Twenty three wells have be en drilled to date! Pastor Anthony has begun a ministry wh ere he leads the wo m through sermons an d Bible studies. They en in discipleship sit listening intently, weaving Akola prod ucts. The dry season dusty and often chall ha enging, but the wind s made life hot, rains to come, and brings hints of the the ahead. We often lin hope of an uplifting and exciting year ge greeting people on th r on our verandah in the evenings, eir way to the well, qu resonant Ugandan su ietly soaking in the ns has been placed be ets. We thank God for the work that fo wisdom to start each re us and pray for the strength and day anew. Keep us in move forward with a tractor program, relat your hearts as we ionship building, and continued developm ent of the Konye Keni center.
- Jim Kasper & Sab
rina Fernandez, Atl
Help develop sustainable programs in Northern Uganda!
anta, GA
Donate to the Mukisa Project online at www.TheUAPO.org/donate
HOW TO SUPPORT THE UAPO
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED TO STOCK THE NEW VOCATIONAL CENTERS!
Your gift will go directly towards supplies and vocational program costs
Buy a Sewing Machine!
Donate!
Shop for a cause!
$300 will buy a machine for one of the vocational centers
Make a financial contribution www.TheUAPO.org/donate
Shop Akola’s Summer collection www.AkolaProject.org
Join us as we equip our new vocational centers in Northern and Eastern Uganda These facilities will provide vocational training, health, and agricultural programs
Total Budget to Equip the New Centers: $30,000
www.TheUAPO.org/donate
Ugandan American Partnership Organization (The UAPO) • PO Box 601528 • Dallas, TX 75360 • 214-310-0964 • www.TheUAPO.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PO Box 601528 Dallas, TX 75360 The mission of The UAPO is to actively participate in Uganda’s development through sustainable partnerships that bring Americans and Ugandans together to engage, collaborate, and learn through the love of Jesus.
Believe in a woman. Empower a community. Transform a nation.
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