#IMadeYourClothes: Q&A With the artisan behind the paper beads from 31 bits.

31 Bits works with female artisans that make beautiful jewelry from hand rolled paper beads. After forming a partnership to sell their jewelry, they implement a five-year program that offers fair pay and holistic care. Every artisan receives finance education and business training, physical and mental wellness, and family care.

After five years in 31 Bits’ program, an artisan is ready to graduate. This means she is educated, healthy, and confident, while managing her very own business where she has an ongoing and sustainable income.

Read more about the talented artisans that make your paper beaded jewelry below, because How It’s Made Matters.

Apio Grace

Short bio: I am 31 years old, married and have three children. My level of education is Primary 7 (6th grade).

Motivation for working for 31 Bits: Earning money makes me experience changes in my life.

Dreams for the future: Construct my own house, and buy the biggest and softest sofa to feel peaceful when I sit.

What’s your idea of perfect happiness? Being free from stress and having a good relationship with friends and relatives.

What’s the quality you like most in a man? Very supportive, forward-thinking, and loves me.

Which talent would you most like to have? Being able to make a beaded bag. I love them, they look nice!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Since working with 31 Bits, I feel capable of doing things and building a future for myself.

What’s your favorite activity? Sitting with my children in the evening, talking and having fun.

A word to our customers: Thank you for buying 31 Bits products and continuing to buy, so that my family can buy the Nile perch fish for dinner. Yum!

Alobo Prisciline

Short bio: I am 24 years old, and I was born and raised in Gulu. I have one boy who’s three years old. I stopped school in Senior 4 (10th grade).

Dreams for the future: Buying a piece of land and building my own house with four rooms.

What’s your idea of perfect happiness? Being able to fulfill basic needs for my family, bringing home food every day, paying school fees, paying hospital bills, and having a husband who cares about me and my children.

What’s the quality you like most in a man? Respect!

What talent would you like to have? Being a very good farmer.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Helping my little sister go to school. She is 19 years old and is going to Senior 4 this year (10th grade).

What’s your favorite activity? Selling produce in the market and having fun with my friends.

Petega Lilly

Short bio: I’m 23 years old, married, and have one little girl. My level of education is Senior 3 (Grade 9).

Motivation for working for 31Bits: A regular income brings me peace and motivates me.

Dreams of the future: Building my own house and starting a business, and selling second hand clothes.

What’s your idea of a perfect happiness? Having a regular source of income to move forward over time.

What’s the quality you most like in a man? Generosity.

When and where were you happiest? In 2017, we saved money with my neighbours and on the Ugandan Independence Day we had a big celebration with music!

What talent would you like to have? Weaving hair.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being able to buy my own dishes, then I don’t have to borrow from neighbours when I have guests over.

What’s your favourite activity? Maintaining my house, for my children to stay in a clean place.

A word to our customers: Thank you very much for buying and providing us with work.

Nighty Ocheng

Short bio: I am 40 years old. I stopped school in Senior one (7th grade).

Motivation for working for 31 Bits: I like showing up everyday and having fun with my workmates.

Dreams for the future: Buying my own piece of land and building my house with a big TV.

What’s your idea of a perfect happiness? Being healthy.

When and where were you happiest? In 2015, my husband and I had a traditional wedding. I felt unique and special.

What talent would you like to have? I’d love to have a talent in driving cars!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Becoming self-sufficient and being able to pay school fees for my children.

What’s your favourite occupation? Telling stories to my children at night.

A word to our customers: Thank you, we will do our best to produce quality, then you can buy and maintain the link between you in the US and us in Uganda.

Abooki Myriam

Short bio: I am 23 years old, I got married 7 years ago and I have two children. I stopped school at P7 (6th grade).

Motivation for working for 31Bits: Having a regular source of income and the unity we have in the 31 Bits team.

Dreams of the future: Open a pork restaurant in my village

What’s the quality you like most in a man? A supportive man.

Which talent would you most like to have? I would like to be very talented in cooking! Like a chef!

What’s your favourite activity? Cooking!

A word to our customers: Thanks for supporting and God bless you.

Ayet Jacqueline

Short bio: I am 30 years old and I have 6 children. I stopped school at P4 (3rd grade).

Dreams for the future: Building my own house.

What’s the quality you like most in a man? A man who respects and cares about you.

When and where were you happiest? In 2016, when I graduated from 31Bits, I wore a cap and gown. I felt so skillful and important, like I accomplished something good!

What talent would you like to have? Farming.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Buying furniture for my house and paying school fees.

What’s your favourite activity? Selling my vegetables from the farm in the market.

A word to our customers: Thank you for buying and hope you will like our next products.

Lakev Susan

Short bio: I am 44 years old, I have 3 children, and stopped school in senior 1 (7th grade).

Motivation for working for 31 Bits: I feel I’m progressing through training and skills we acquire here. We get encouraged and respected.

Dreams for the future: Building a permanent house.

What’s your idea of a perfect happiness? Feeling independent.

What’s the quality you like most in a man? Support!

When and where were you happiest? When I got my first salary with 31 Bits.

What talent would you like to have? Being an adviser to others for growing their businesses.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Opening a small restaurant and being able to run it up to today.

What’s your favourite activity? Watching TV and Nigerian movies.

A word to our customers: Thanks for buying, and we’ll keep working hard to satisfy you.

Abalo Paska

Short bio: I am 34 years old. I have 6 children and never went to school.

Motivation for working for 31Bits: Achieving my goals.

Dreams for the future: Buying a piece of land and building my own house.

What’s the quality you like most in a man? Smart man who plans for the future.

What talent would you like to have? Tailoring.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Buying goats that I can sell when I need to pay school fees.

What’s your favourite activity? Cooking while listening to music from the radio.

A word to our customers: Very thankful, please tell others about 31 Bits to create more impact in Gulu.

Acen Judith

Short bio: 29 years old, I have two children and my level of education is Senior2 (8th grade).

Dreams for the future: Save money and open a tailoring house.

What’s the quality you like most in a man? Respectful

When and where were you happiest? In 2014, just after being recruited by 31 Bits.

What talent would you like to have? Tailoring, so I can make many fashion styles.

What’s your favourite activity? Watching Nigerian movies.

A word to our customers: Thanks for buying and giving us feedback about what you like, so we can make more for you!

Apio Vicky

Short bio: I am 36 years old, have two children and stopped school in P3 (2nd grade).

Dreams for the future: Doing commercial farming.

When and where were you happiest? When I joined Bits, getting a job was the biggest relief and made me very happy.

Which talent would you like to have? Tailoring with a sewing machine.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Feeding my family well.

What’s your favourite activity? Listening to music at home.

A word to our customers: Thanks for supporting, and you should come and visit us in Gulu!