Some goodies from last week's fabric shopping trip!

Our Uganda Friday: October 8th 2010

by Darlyne Komukama

I'll start by saying I'm very excited to be a part of the Awava team (big tings a gwan). That said, it has been an interesting week in Kampala. Starting with a very different kind of comedy show.

On Thursday night, we were graced with the prescence of comedy writer and performer Jane Busssman who was presenting her award-winning comedy show 'Bussman's Holiday' at the Red Chilli which is where she stayed the first time she was in Uganda. I have to say, I had trepidations going into this show, I was worried she would offend my Ugandan sensibilities but I was wrong because she was hilarious! Seriously, anyone who implores not to confuse Joseph Kony with Dave Chapelle dressed as Rick James is o.k in my books.

Kampala Amateur Dramatic Society (KADS) organised an very exciting murder mystery event that is taking place this weekend. I went on Thursday and again I didn't know exactly what to expect. I was exhausted after a day of fabric shopping for Awava so I was not prepared to do too much other than eat my dinner and figure out the crime. The whole evening was very well executed, the actors were very good, the food was excellent and our brains sure were exercised trying to piece together all the clues and figure out whoddunit. If you're in Kampala this weekend, you should go check it out, totally worth the 35k.

We at Awava wish you all a very happy Independence day tomorrow.

Meet Darlyne Komukama, Awava's Newest Team Member!

Darlyne Komukama is the newest addition to the Awava team!

Darlyne hit the ground running this week working on various tasks from hardware, meeting one of our artisan groups, and today she will even have her first experience (with Awava) fabric shopping! Her positive attitude and eagerness to get things done is exactly what Awava looks for and we seem to have hit the jackpot!

Darlyne has a BA in Organisational Studies from the prestigious Makerere University but does not believe that her academic qualifications should or do define her. She has had a varied career including but not limited to: construction, events planning, telecommunication, mobile money and modeling.

Darlyne had the desire to do something more meaningful with her life and believes that Awava is the perfect vehicle for this. She was born and raised in Uganda and understands how important fair trade is to the women of her home.

These are quite possibly the only photos where she won't be seen flashing a 'peace' sign.

Our First Interest Free Credit to Artisan Loan Paid In Full!

Today was a day for celebrating! Nayiga Bena, the crafty woman responsible for our beautiful Kasaayi Baskets, was the first artisan to pay off her interest free loan and she did it today!

Nayiga requested and received a loan of around USD$60.00 in July to pay for her children's school fees and tuition so that her children could complete the school term uninterrupted.



We are so proud of Nayiga and are ready to give her another loan for the same amount next week to ensure another uninterrupted school term for her children!

Yudaya Gets New Specs!

Yudaya Nakibuka, Awava's AMAZING artisan who weaves our Ekibbo Basket and Kufumba Utensil Basket was able to have an eye exam and get new glasses thanks to her interest free loan from Awava! They have definitely made her more serious than normal, but once she gets used to them I'm sure she'll be back to her normal "stubborn" self in no time!

Awava to hit Australian Market in Partnership with Fantastic Australian NGO!

The United Future Fundation (UFF) is an Australian non-governmental organization operating in Uganda. UFF is "breaking the cycle" of poverty through education, building a combined primary school and vocational training center in rural Uganda based on a strong belief that education is the means to creating lasting change.

UFF is focussed on making education and skills trainings accessible to Ugandan yough in poverty-stricken, rural and remote areas.

UFF has partnered with Awava to develop tailoring and crafts courses for their Technical and Vocational Education Training Program (TVET). This partnership aims to provide UFF with a foundation of skills and experience that will not only assist in developing crafts and tailoring skills for the UFF TVET Program, but will also increase the scope in which UFF and Awava can work together to create sustainable development for women across Uganda.

As of October 2010, UFF and Awava have adopted an open-ended
partnership agreement that will allow UFF to work with the Awava team to
open the Australian market for Awava UFF craft products. While UFF develop
their TVET Tailoring Programs, the partnership agreement will allow UFF to
raise funds through the selling of Awava products in Australia, while
simultaneously contributing to the employment and continued sustainability of
Awava artisans.

Both UFF and Awava share a mutual commitment to sustainable poverty
reduction through skills education, access to resources, and linkages to open
markets. As partners, UFF and Awava are committed to empowering women,
families and communities by utilising these opportunities, in turn increasing
sustainability and quality of life.

Awava Photo Shoot!

Here's a sneak peak at some of the photos from our photo shoot on Saturday!