31 Bits – Uganda

Summer Spotlight // Laker Kevin

June 18th, 2013 | Comments (0)

We’d like you to get to know some of the ladies behind the new Summer Collection, The Bright Side of Life. These women encourage, inspire, and challenge us daily! Laker Kevin is a joyful, silly, and dedicated mother of three adorable kids. Kevin loves coming to work at 31 Bits, and the ladies have quickly become her best friends. Kevin’s accessory of choice? The Daphne bracelets!

What brightens your day? When I am healthy and able to come to work at 31 Bits.

What gives you joy? That I am able to pay for my children to go to school.

What is your favorite color? Light blue.

What makes you laugh? When my kids come back from school, crack jokes, and sing to me.

What gives you hope? Prayer.

Recap // Father’s Day

June 17th, 2013 | Comments (0)

Since Father’s Day was yesterday, we wanted to honor the Bits MEN on our compound! The men play a major role in our day-to-day operations.

Charles, father of five, is our groundskeeper and guard. He calls himself the father of 31 Bits since he has been a part of our family for many years and works daily with our women and children.

Ray is our business manager and although he does not have children of his own, he takes care of his three nephews and nieces. He loves sharing traditional stories and songs with them and says working with the 31 Bits ladies has taught him to be a better husband through learning patience and fostering relationships!

Simon Peter is one of our quality control managers. He has two kids and enjoys coaching his children and teaching them manners.

All three of these men are stellar at what they do and have made a phenomenal impact on the growth of 31 Bits! We are so thankful for them and wish all the fathers out there a very happy (and belated) Father’s Day!!

Summer Spotlight // Ajok Jackline

June 11th, 2013 | Comments (0)

We’d like you to get to know some of the ladies behind the new Summer Collection, The Bright Side of Life. These women encourage, inspire, and challenge us daily! Ajok Jackline is determined, confident, and has a smile that’s contagious. Her Summer must-have? The Nixie Twist in Coral!

What brightens your day? Knowing that I and my children are healthy.

What gives you joy? When I am at peace- with my family, my children, my husband.

What is your favorite color? Pink.

What makes you laugh? Funny stories at home and at work.

What gives you hope? When I have work to do with my hands- it gives me hope for my family.

These ladies are BALLERS!

June 10th, 2013 | Comments (0)

We love a little friendly competition at 31 Bits. When the women at Krochet Kids challenged the women at 31 Bits to a football match, we knew we couldn’t back down.

Abong Susan arrived with baby Stephen in hand, but quickly passed him along to our staff on the sidelines so she could throw on her jersey and join the game!

The face off was fierce, and even without any training, the Bits ladies put up a good fight. Although Krochet Kids won this time, the smiles of the 31 Bits team could not be shaken. Post game conversations were filled with plans for bead rolling breaks at work to practice.

Next time these ladies hit the field, they will be ready!

Summer Spotlight // Lamunu Agness

June 4th, 2013 | Comments (0)

We’d like you to get to know some of the ladies behind the new Summer Collection, The Bright Side of Life. These women encourage, inspire, and challenge us daily! Lamunu Agness is determined, confident, and has a smile that’s contagious. Her Summer must-haves? The Posy Crush necklace and a colorful assortment of Daphne bracelets!

What brightens your day? Simple joys like taking tea- knowing that I and my family are satisfied.

What gives you joy? My 3 children!

What is your favorite color? White.

What makes you laugh? Playing with my children in the garden.

What gives you hope? Being able to provide for my family daily. I feel hopeful when I am independent and free to live well.

Meet Alice, The New Media Assistant for 31 Bits!

May 31st, 2013 | Comments (0)

Have you ever had this crazy dream and it just so happened God was dreaming the same thing? Well, that was coming to Africa for me! I am passionate about photography and international development, two very different things that blended together perfectly as the Media Assistant for 31 Bits!

A little bit about me- I hail from Nashville, Tennessee but have also come to call Los Angeles home ever since I moved there for school two years ago (fight on!!). I love cheesy detective TV shows, music that puts most people to sleep and being near the ocean. Oh, and chocolate. Definitely chocolate. I came to Gulu straight from four months studying abroad in Gaborone, Botwana (which turned out to be basically four months of traveling throughout Southern Africa- great practice or my move to Gulu). While Gulu is very different from Gabarone, the slow-pace and inherent spontaneity of life here, fresh fruit and vegetables from the market and the kind-hearted nature of the locals help me feel right at home. I love biking through town and just taking in the quiet yet busy atmosphere of this city.

I think my job is the greatest because I get to just hang out with the ladies all the time and dream up ways to honor and share their stories with you all. My favorite part of my day at 31 Bits is going around and greeting each lady in the morning… which always results in lots of laughter as I practice my Luo! I am so excited to get to know Gulu and all the wonderful Bits ladies better in the next few months!

Atim Irene’s New Business

May 23rd, 2013 | Comments (0)

An integral part of the 31 Bits model is to provide education and encouragement for beneficiaries to start their own businesses. By providing financial trainings, business classes, and one-on-one consultations with our Business Manager, each of the women are challenged to work with the resources they have to build a business. And Atim Irene is going for it!

Mother to four and the sole provider in her household, Irene is a women of great determination and grit. When she decided she wanted to sell porridge on a large scale, she knew she did not have the capitol. Starting small, she decided to begin with her family at 31 Bits!

Every morning Irene wakes up at 5:30 to begin making porridge for her coworkers and by 9, she is at work with a jerry can of hot porridge and a basket of cups in hand.

The women LOVE her porridge, and as they enjoy a warm breakfast, Irene’s business capitol is growing. Cheers!

The Nixie Twist

May 21st, 2013 | Comments (0)

Things are looking BRIGHT here in Uganda! Apio Harriet is making your very own Nixie Twist.

Check it out in our Summer catalog and shop the new line!!

Farming Training

May 17th, 2013 | Comments (0)

As we welcome Summer and our new Summer line here in the US, our beneficiaries in Northern Uganda are welcoming their rainy season and the opportunities that come with the rain! The soil has become fertile and it’s time for farming.

In honor of the season change, we hosted a training that focused on agricultural practices. Many of the 31 Bits beneficiaries farm before and after work to provide for their families, yet our training challenged women to think of their small plots of land as income generating opportunities as well.

45 landowners came to the training to learn basic skills and the benefits of growing high profit crops, such as cabbage, cucumber, carrots, and watermelon. By growing these crops, families are not only able to have a diversified diet, but they can sell in the public market and make more money. We cannot wait to see their fruits and vegetables once harvest season arrives!

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