Part of purchasing ethically made products is really knowing and understanding where your products come from and how they were made. We want to share some of the behind the scenes with you and explain how the jewelry gets from a small village in Uganda to you! We are so excited to share this process with you and let you into the inner workings of BOH. So next time you put on your favorite BOH necklace, you know exactly where it came from and how it was made!
These last few months have taken everyone by surprise and transformed the way we do so many things. BOH is no exception to this change, as we deal with constantly evolving challenges both here and in Uganda. A key question during this time is how do we continue empowering our families while also addressing the unprecedented needs that have arisen due to COVID-19?
With race and equality on many people’s hearts and minds, I am going to do my best to add to the discussion in a way that is helpful and constructive as it pertains to our organization and Uganda. While I certainly won't be able to address all the racial dynamics in Uganda, I am going to focus primarily on my experience as a white woman who has had the honor of working with Ugandans, and how this has impacted the way I approach the conversation of race in America.
It has been 10 days since I made the long journey home from Uganda. 10 days since I felt the hot sun beat down, only to be tamed by the gentle, afternoon breeze. The musty scent of charcoal fires has finally washed out of my hair and my mosquito bites are fading away. I have finished taking my travel meds and my suitcases are nearly unpacked. All the signs that I have been to Uganda are disappearing, and yet the memories are so clear...so fresh...so real. While every trip has similarities, they are always different, each marked by special events, themes, or moments. And this one, was no different...
Over the years, nonprofits have served humanity by addressing needs that have slipped through the cracks of the government, the economy, and other systems. On the front of international poverty, many organizations have historically used a model of relief, giving aid and resources only to find that the recipients develop a greater dependency on the organizations. While there are some contexts that require relief, most development work must employ a different model that can create self-sufficiency and an infrastructure for lasting change.
When we started BOH, we didn't want to fall into the trap of relief work and leave our women worse off than when we started. We had to do something different...
