About us
AfriBeads is a Fair Trader of Australia, a social enterprise supporting the AfriBead artisans in Uganda by providing access to market for the beautiful items they make. AfriBeads provides the women in Uganda with a regular income income, empowering them to take control of their own lives and help their local community.
Each AfriBeads product is handmade from recycled or natural materials as an artisan-made unique item.
The People: the Afribeads Artisans
AfriBeads products are made by a group of 30 women in Kampala, Uganda called the AfriBeads Women’s Association. The women manage their own business in Uganda as a collective, making their own decisions about the local business. The women get together to work and support each other. They work from their homes around their domestic duties to create the products.
AfriBeads in Australia provides a market for their work, providing them with access to market and a steady income. This enables the to feed their families and send their children to school.
The Place: Uganda
Uganda is a country with widespread extreme poverty. There is 60% unemployment and half of those working do not earn a wage sufficient to meet their needs, meaning people struggle for survival. Many families cannot afford to send their children to school, and for the lucky ones who get to school, class sizes are huge, often over 60 children in one class.
The COVID pandemic made things even more difficult. With no social net, little access to healthcare and the inability to work through much of the pandemic, the pandemic caused widespread suffering. The repercussions of this continue to impact Uganda heavily.
AfriBeads creates hope for Ugandan women and children by providing a market for the beautiful items they make.
How AfriBeads Started
In January 2009, Rosemary Frank traveled with a group of six Australian families to Kampala, Uganda to build a house for an orphanage. During their stay they saw the extreme poverty and the meagre living standards in Uganda.
Despite their daily struggle, Rosemary saw the wonderful enduring spirit of the Ugandan people. She met the beautiful people of Uganda, enjoyed their warmth and friendliness, and felt their genuine gratitude. They talked about their lives, saw their determination and hard work, experienced their hope, and admired their faith.
Rosemary wanted to help the people of Uganda. She loved their beadwork and thought that other people would love it too. So AfriBeads was created.
Nimmity’s Journey with AfriBeads
Nimmity traveled to Uganda with Rosemary in 2018 and spent time with the women in Uganda. She was inspired by watching them work, the creativity of the women and the beautiful items they made, with the very limited resources they have.
As Rosemary decided to step back from the business in 2023, Nimmity was pleased to become the owner of Afribeads and continue the work Rosemary began, providing ongoing support the AfriBeads Women’s Association.
Afribeads is an endorsed Fair Trader of Australia, working with the 10 Principles of Fair Trade.
