Monday, March 8, 2010
Background
Caring Hands is an organization made up of volunteers who assist families living in Kampala, Uganda. Their goal is to break the cycle of poverty in families in the community and to give them hope for the future.
The greatest challenges for families living in poverty are food, housing, school fees, health issues, and access to clean water. To help with such needs, Caring Hands is involved in material, psycho-social, and spiritual support; and by networking and giving information on existing available services for HIV positive individuals (HIV voluntary testing, Anti Retro Viral drugs, etc.). CH volunteers make home visits; distribute food, used clothing and seed; and assist with medical and mental care, funeral costs, and school expenses for children. Caring Hands provides bedding for those previously sleeping on mud floors. They arrange for more hygienic housing away from the slums, even raising funds for building furnished new homes. This ministry also facilitates small loans with no interest, allowing families possibilities that they would not otherwise have.
Making jewellery out of recycled paper has become the most important income-generating project for Caring Hands and the women involved. About 40 women have been trained in making beads out of recycled paper to make jewellery, which is sent to markets around the world. This has given the women self-esteem, put a smile on their faces, and alleviated the struggles with poverty.
The profits are used for various charitable activities.
This is done by giving families:
1. material, psycho-social and spiritual
2. advice about health and hygiene
3. means of developing a livelihood
4. networking, providing information on existing and available services
The greatest challenges for families living in poverty are:
1. food
2. shelter/housing
3. school fees
4. sickness (medicines and health care costs)
What Caring Hands does with donations:
A. Emergency relief home visitations
1. food distribution
2. medical assistance (doctor's fees, clinic visits, medical expenses, travel expenses)
3. dental care
4. funeral costs
5. distribution of used clothes
6. housing costs
7. seeds
B. Income Generating
1. buying sewing machine, materials, and tutoring for single, paralyzed mother
2. buying knitting machine, materials, and workshop for lady taking care of orphans
3. making beads for jewellery out of recycled paper
C. School fees for children
1. children have been placed in the Fida Child Sponsorship Programs
2. school fees for children
3. the school fees include school uniform, P.E. clothing, shoes, knapsack, stationary, lunch
and exam fees
D. Raising the standard of living
1. raising the standard of living from the mud floor to the bed: metal bunk beds, mattresses,
blankets, pillows, sheet, pillow cases, mosquito nets
2. arranging for more hygienic housing away from the slums
3. fund raising for building new permanent homes
The greatest challenges for families living in poverty are food, housing, school fees, health issues, and access to clean water. To help with such needs, Caring Hands is involved in material, psycho-social, and spiritual support; and by networking and giving information on existing available services for HIV positive individuals (HIV voluntary testing, Anti Retro Viral drugs, etc.). CH volunteers make home visits; distribute food, used clothing and seed; and assist with medical and mental care, funeral costs, and school expenses for children. Caring Hands provides bedding for those previously sleeping on mud floors. They arrange for more hygienic housing away from the slums, even raising funds for building furnished new homes. This ministry also facilitates small loans with no interest, allowing families possibilities that they would not otherwise have.
Making jewellery out of recycled paper has become the most important income-generating project for Caring Hands and the women involved. About 40 women have been trained in making beads out of recycled paper to make jewellery, which is sent to markets around the world. This has given the women self-esteem, put a smile on their faces, and alleviated the struggles with poverty.
The profits are used for various charitable activities.
This is done by giving families:
1. material, psycho-social and spiritual
2. advice about health and hygiene
3. means of developing a livelihood
4. networking, providing information on existing and available services
The greatest challenges for families living in poverty are:
1. food
2. shelter/housing
3. school fees
4. sickness (medicines and health care costs)
What Caring Hands does with donations:
A. Emergency relief home visitations
1. food distribution
2. medical assistance (doctor's fees, clinic visits, medical expenses, travel expenses)
3. dental care
4. funeral costs
5. distribution of used clothes
6. housing costs
7. seeds
B. Income Generating
1. buying sewing machine, materials, and tutoring for single, paralyzed mother
2. buying knitting machine, materials, and workshop for lady taking care of orphans
3. making beads for jewellery out of recycled paper
C. School fees for children
1. children have been placed in the Fida Child Sponsorship Programs
2. school fees for children
3. the school fees include school uniform, P.E. clothing, shoes, knapsack, stationary, lunch
and exam fees
D. Raising the standard of living
1. raising the standard of living from the mud floor to the bed: metal bunk beds, mattresses,
blankets, pillows, sheet, pillow cases, mosquito nets
2. arranging for more hygienic housing away from the slums
3. fund raising for building new permanent homes
The Beginning
When you are undergoing active cancer treatment you often find yourself in bed, at least I did. On one of those days, I was watching 100 Huntley Street and was inspired by a missionary in Uganda who trained women to make beads out of recycled paper. Not thinking much more of it, months later I stumbled upon the jewelry at our local farmers market and bought my first necklace. In November 2009 I hosted a party at my house and sold a ton of jewelry. Months later, after my sister-in-law Becky signed-on to consign the jewelry, I too felt lead to not only share this funky, colourful jewelry with everyone I meet, but to educate people about the hands who make it.
It is my personal mandate not to personally profit from the sale of Caring Hands jewelry. After covering basic costs (fuel, displays, entry fees), I will donate the portion I earn from each sale to groups and individuals God leads me to. In this blog I will share my experiences of selling the jewelry and disclose, when appropriate, where I have donated money.
It is my personal mandate not to personally profit from the sale of Caring Hands jewelry. After covering basic costs (fuel, displays, entry fees), I will donate the portion I earn from each sale to groups and individuals God leads me to. In this blog I will share my experiences of selling the jewelry and disclose, when appropriate, where I have donated money.
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