THANK YOU to the Westerly Boutique in Corona Del Mar for hosting an amazing launch party for our new Summer boutique line! We had SO much fun, and recieved such positive feedback! Here’s some snapshots from the event:
Our family just got cuter :)
June 28th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Meet the newest additions to the 31 Bits Family:
Sunday and Faith
Focus on Education
June 25th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Education is one of the many areas of focus for our program in Uganda. This includes weekly English lessons for beneficiaries who are interested. Gladies, our program manager not only offers weekly English classes, but is available to counsel women in different areas. She is preparing lessons on financial education and budgeting training, health education and family planning, as well as information and services for women with HIV/AIDS.
Meet Gladies and check out one of her english classes here!
Uganda Update!
June 23rd, 2010 | Comments (0)
“You are welcome!”
This phrase has been directed toward me countless times by the ladies of 31 Bits. Right after meeting someone they would almost always reply by saying, “you are welcome.”
I was somewhat thrown off by this because in the states (as you know) “you’re welcome,” is usually only followed by a “thank you.” So the first couple times this happened I would just look confused and try to figure out if there was something I should be thanking them for. In Uganda however, this is the same as saying, “welcome!” or “we’re glad you’re here.” After figuring this out and despite my misunderstanding, I have been completely blown away by their generosity and thankful attitudes. They were so glad I had come from my home to be with them and they made it so easy for me to be comfortable here.
It is amazing to be over here joining Kallie and Brooke on this side of things and to see for myself what this organization is actually doing for these women. This is my second week here and I already feel at home at the 31 Bits compound. I feel so blessed to have to opportunity to spend the day with these ladies, roll beads with them, and learn a little bit about their lives. I have met so many cool women and am excited to slowly get to know all 56 of them.
Today I would like to introduce you to one of the ladies I have been honored to meet.
Ketty!
Ketty is 21 and full of life. She is super joyful, a complete jokester, and always finds something to laugh about. She has been working at 31 Bits for 4 months and her joyful spirit is definitely contagious among the other ladies. She is a mother to four-month-old Emmanuel, more affectionately called Emmy, and is also taking care of her sister’s five year old daughter, Joy. Prior to coming to 31 Bits, Ketty earned a living by fetching water to sell. From the money she is earning at 31 Bits, she is now able to contribute much more to her family’s needs of food, clothing, and medical treatment. Her husband is a farmer and in 5 years they hope to be selling produce and own a very large farmland. She also has dreams to undergo training as a tailor and wants to invest her money in sewing and making clothes. She enjoys rolling beads, cooking and gardening.
Ketty is a blessing to be around and always keeps us laughing.
-Ally
Introducing… Ally Garvin!
June 17th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Meet our newest 31 Bits staff member:
Ally Garvin
We are so happy to welcome Ally and her husband Dave into our 31 Bits family. They arrived in Gulu just over a week ago! Her husband Dave, is going to be working with our close friends, the Krochet Kids (krochetkids.org) while Ally is joining the 31 Bits team. She is a great addition and she will be helping us out tremendously with some different projects.
So far, her favorite things about Gulu are hanging out with the wonderful ladies from 31 Bits AND boda boda rides (motorcycle taxis), it’s the best and fastest way to get around town.
WELCOME ALLY and DAVE.
Mark Your Calenders!
June 11th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Our brand-new Summer Boutique Line is launching Thursday, June 24th from 5:50-8pm, at the Westerly boutique in Corona Del Mar. Drinks and appetizers will be served!
E-mail info@31bits for additional information. Hope to see you there!
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
June 10th, 2010 | Comments (0)
One of the areas of focus for our program in Uganda is: COMMUNITY. We believe that living in community with one another brings understanding, healing, accountability, and change. The age, backgrounds, and stories of our women vary and there is so much that can be learned from one another. Every person is in a community group– they meet weekly to listen, encourage, and pray with one another. It’s quite inspiring to see the change and growth that happens within these groups and how the members learn to rely on each other, and become a family.
Elasticity: Launching July 2010
June 7th, 2010 | Comments (0)
Stay tuned… Exciting things to come!!!
THIS is Lucy.
June 1st, 2010 | Comments (0)
Meet Lucy:
A mother. A beader. A comedian. A member of 31 Bits. A creator. A
designer. A friend. AND a Gymnast. Lucy has strength like you would
not imagine. Both physical and emotional. She has experienced a hard
life, but she does not let it weigh her down. Her laugh is contagious,
her love is unconditional, and her hope is inspiring.
When we asked her how she got so strong (physically)… she said she
does gymnastics! So, of course, we asked her to give us a lesson 
Check out the video here… a little bit of gymnastics, Ugandan style.
