'Tis the Season for Giving: 1000 Shillings

As I delve into my pocket books to buy gifts for my loved ones this season, I started to think about opportunites to give twice for each gift :) Instead of just buying another gift from a big company, I wanted to think about small businesses, non-profits and groups that give back for every purchase. One organization that fits this bill is 1000 Shillings - their goal is that you get to know the woman you are buying from, and then, through purchasing her products, you help her to become a self-sufficient businesswoman that is able to support her family.

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1000 Shillings is a Uganda-based organization that helps mothers earn a living through their paper bead work. Their model is unique, because the women artisans earn capital for their own small businesses by making limited-edition products for 1000 Shillings. 1000 Shillings is currently working with six mothers in the Namatala slum in Uganda; Aidah, Annette, Veronica, Esther, Martha and Elizabeth. Take a moment to read about these amazing women! They create beautiful paper bead jewelry, and are the first women to produce products for 1000 Shillings. 

1000 Shillings became the name of the company based on the amount of money that the average woman in the Namatala slum lives on per day – approximately 1,000 Ugandan Shillings ($.40). 

So think about doing some of your holiday shopping at 1000 Shillings! I'm sure you know someone who would love this beautiful jewelry!