BEAD FOR LIFE Founded in 2004 by three Americans impressed by the quality and beauty of the paper beads made by Ugandan women, the NGO BeadforLife set as its objective the raising of living standards for poor and abandoned women, widows and those affected by HIV, by marketing their craft products in local markets and in the shops that the organisation opened in the United States (Boulder, Colorado), and in Paris from April 2009. As part of an overall objective aimed at eradicating poverty among Ugandan women, the BeadforLife initiative involves training women in creating jewellery and bags from painted or varnished beads made from recycled paper. Then, when they have acquired sufficient skills, BeadforLife helps them to set up their own business by making a long-term commitment to buy their products at prices that will allow them to provide for their needs and those of their families. The organisation also offers these businesswomen additional training in marketing and design, as well as access to additional funding to start up and develop their micro-businesses.
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