uganda | artisans
Jodie's story
Our son Pavine is from Uganda and we had the amazing experience of living there for 18 months while going through the adoption process. Since we spent over one year in Uganda, I am closest to our Ugandan artisans.
about uganda
Uganda is a vibrant country known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural history. Its varied geography consists of lakes, lush rainforests, volcanic hills, savannahs, and mountains. These landscapes make conservation an important part of the culture with 60 protected areas including 10 national parks with a large amount of endangered species. There are over 50 different ethnic groups with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The influence of the ancient kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, and Ankole can be felt in the country’s art and storytelling traditions. While their history has been impacted by the fall of those kingdoms and the effects of British colonization, the country has made strides towards stability and development, fostering a growing economy and cultural revival. Their people are known for their warm hospitality, strong family connections, and resourcefulness.
meet the artisans
Micheal
Micheal is a skilled wood carver who learned this unique trade from a grandfather he never knew and whose work he never saw. Humble and quiet, Micheal prides himself on creating a quality product that shows the beauty of the native Mugavu Tree of his village. Micheal also patiently works to train members of his team, so that they too have an opportunity to generate income for their families. Micheal lives with his wife and three children, outside of Kampala, Uganda.
caroline
Caroline lovingly creates her own line of products and custom designs we dream up together! She learned basic sewing skills from her mum and later attended university where she furthered her skills. Since then she’s been designing and stitching her beautiful textiles! Caroline, along with her husband, Vincent, live in Entebbe, Uganda, where she works from home while caring for her three boys, Nehemiah, Grace and Benjamin. She is not only a master seamstress but also one little world’s manager in Uganda. Along with creating, Caroline helps organize, prep, and ship my orders.
our basket co-op
Our women’s basketing weaving co-op in Kampala includes single mothers, women with disabilities, women who are HIV positive, and older, single and widowed women. They all gather weekly to further train, plan their basket makings and pick up needed materials. Being a woman in the developing world is difficult enough, so having any kind of “difference” makes it that much harder. one little world welcomes and celebrates any and all differences, working to empower our partners while providing a means for them to generate income for their families.
Weaving Groups of Rural Uganda
Ms. Anne spends time in the villages of northwestern Uganda seeking artisans who want to preserve their traditional weaving skills representing the cultures of their villages. Sustainable materials are harvested and dyed using the roots, flowers, vegetables and leaves of multiple plants surrounding the grounds. Anne is dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods and fostering sustainable income opportunities for the widowed, elderly, women and youth of rural Uganda, by harnessing the power of natural resources and creativity to create a sustainable income stream.
Barkcloth Uganda
Ms.Tina taught herself the long tradition of barkcloth. Once only available to the royals of Uganda, barkcloth is culturally valued and adored because of its history. Bark is sustainably and carefully harvested from the inner-layer of the Mutuba Tree, also known as Barkcloth Fig, in a process changed very little through the generations. The bark is removed, soaked in water, dried, and beaten until it reaches its soft, fabric-like texture. The tree is wrapped and cared for in its regrowth process. Uganda remains one of the few countries within the continent to keep the barkcloth tradition alive.