spring/summer 2013 A k o l a P r o j e c t. o r g
believe. empower. transform.
Fashion for a Cause
Uplifting ugandan women and their communities
believe. empower. transform.
The Akola Project creates local partnerships with Ugandan women to elevate marginalized vocational training and income-generating opportunities, empowering them to transform the physical and spiritual lives of their families and communities.
To purchase Akola Designs: Email Akola@TheUAPO.org or visit AkolaProject.org
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Believe
in a woman
Training Empowering village women with no education or trade to create fashionable designs and a variety of handmade crafts, including jewelry making, loom weaving, and sewing.
Employment Creating a global marketplace for women affected by HIV, war and generational poverty. Profits from sales equip the women with a monthly income to provide their families and communities with food, shelter, medical care, and education.
Village Savings and Loans Facilitating savings and loans cooperatives with employed women. In turn, they will create small businesses and save for emergencies.
Empower
a community
Building Vocational Training Centers Building vocational training centers in rural areas throughout Uganda to offer impoverished communities employment and career opportunities. The UAPO has completed a center in northern Uganda and is currently building a second center in eastern Uganda.
Drilling Clean Water Wells
Drilling clean water wells to improve access to clean water will reduce waterborne diseases and provide sanitary solutions. The UAPO has drilled 23 water wells in Northern and Eastern Uganda.
Transform
a nation
Caring for Widows and Orphans
Renewing the marred identity of women by helping them recognize their true identity as productive stewards who are capable of uplifting their families, communities and local orphans in distress.
Reconciliation and Partnership Facilitating reconciliation by bridging the gap between tribes and cultures, allowing women from different tribes and nations to overcome the barriers that divide them.
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Available Colors: Tangerine Recycled, Aqua Recycled and various shades of Neutral Recycled
Coptic Recycled
Collar Recycled
Drape Recycled
Colors Available: Tangerine Recycled, Neutrals
Colors Available: Tangerine Recycled, Neutrals
Colors Available: Tangerine Recycled, Neutrals
Recycled, Aqua Recycled $32
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Recycled, Aqua Recycled $78
Recycled, Aqua Recycled $98
Recycled
collection Necklace designs are made from recycled magazines to create interesting colors and tones. Colors vary due to the nature of recycled materials.
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Akola
clutches
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W o o d B lock Clutch l a r ge $ 8 4
Patte rn ed C l u t ch large $78
M int Cl u tch sm all $ 6 2
E th i op i a n C h a rm cl u t ch sm a l l $ 9 8
Women at The Akola Vocational Center in Northern Uganda weave the interior of the clutch with palm leaves.
L av en d er C l u t ch s ma l l $ 6 2
The exterior of the clutches are hand-woven on a loom with raffia and yarn from Rwanda at the Akola studios in Eastern Uganda.
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Collar
necklaces the Ethiopian collection
Coptic pendants are handcrafted using molds passed down through generations by artisans in villages throughout Ethiopia. 7
Spring Brights Made from three strands of handrolled paper beads with a metal cross pendant cast by Ethiopian artisans. Available in several seasonal colors (See page 12).
$72
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Coptic
necklaces the Ethiopian collection
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The Coptic Necklace is made of one strand of paper beads with a small Ethiopian Coptic cross in either gold or silver-tone metals. $32
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Drape
necklaces the Ethiopian collection
Statement piece The drape necklace comes in five strands of paper beads and is paired with an Ethiopian Coptic pendant. Three strand drapes are available upon request. $92
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Spring/Summer Colors Collar, Drape, and Coptic Necklaces Collar, Drape, and Coptic necklaces are available in the displayed Spring/Summer colors. The paper beads are hand-rolled by women in villages in Uganda who have been trained by The Akola Project to become skilled artisans. Each Ethiopian pendant is unique.
se afo a m ( n e w c o lor)
m u sta r d
ta n g eri n e ( n ew co l o r)
h ot pink
tu r q u ois e
n av y
w h it e Al s o ava il able i n Starf i sh ( C r e a m )
black
S k y G ray
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Earrings the Ethiopian collection
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Emelda is proud that even at her age she is able to provide for the daily needs of her growing family. Emelda, 62, grew up in a rural village in Uganda with her six brothers and sisters. After giving birth to eight children, she lost two sons to HIV, and then her husband died of cancer a few years later. Worried how she would provide for her family, she jumped at the opportunity to join The Akola Project in 2007. Through The Akola Project, Emelda has been trained to make paper bead necklaces. She is paid monthly for her work and has used her income to put all seven of her grandchildren through school, take care of her 90-year-old mother-in-law, provide a balanced diet for her family, contribute to The Akola Savings Program and purchase livestock for her farm. Next Spring, Emelda will be one of the first to use the vocational center to learn other crafts, such as loom weaving or tailoring.
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Coptic
earrings
the Ethiopian collection
The metals in The Ethiopian Collection are melted, cast and cut by rural metal casters to create unique and interesting beads. Melting recycled metal, such as old bullet shells, is a craft that has been passed down through generations of Ethiopian artisans. Women in Uganda assemble the Coptic beads to make beautiful earring and necklace designs. 15
Prayer Box Teardrop $38
Silver Barley Hoop
Wolo Bead Hoops (Gold or Silver)
$44
$32
Gold Barley Hoops:
Feather Oval Hoops
$44
$32
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Antique
necklaces the Ethiopian collection
Featuring antique pendants and prayer beads imported from Ethiopia, each of these necklaces is one-of-a-kind, and also includes colorful clay beads handmade by Ugandan craftsmen. Ethiopian pendants are 40 to 100 years old. Available Colors: Seafoam, Natural, Tangerine and Black $200
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Chain
necklaces the Ethiopian collection
Mountain peasants in Ethiopia carry on the ancient tradition of hand crafting metal beads, which our designers mix with semi-precious stones. Available in brass/white turquoise, silver/turquoise, brass/blue lapis, silver/onyx, and silver/white turquoise. Chains can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. Each design includes an Akola Charm. $74
Available upon request. Triple Strand Chain $125
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Multicolor Recycled Akola women make these beads from recycled magazine pages, which creates the assortment of colors and textures in this design.
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Multicolor recycled Add pops of color to your seasonal wardrobe with these hand-rolled paper bead designs.
Necklaces
$22
Bracelets
$5
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Order Akola Designs
Purchase Akola Project jewelry or bags, and combine your love for fashion with your passion to help women in impoverished communities! We need your help to provide more jobs for women affected by HIV, war, gender inequality and generational poverty. Contact Akola@TheUAPO.org or visit AkolaProject.org
Host a Trunk Show Host a show to help lift Ugandan women out of poverty. Connect with friends for a cause! It's simple. Share The Akola Project with your friends by hosting a jewelry trunk show in your home or workplace. Invite your guests, and we'll send you everything else you need! Contact Akola@TheUAPO.org to receive a trunk show kit! The UAPO 3311 Elm St. #102 Dallas, TX 75226
Main Phone: (214) 310-0964
Internships Use your gifts and talents for a cause. Join the movement that combines fashion, creativity, and business to help lift women out of poverty! US office:
Uganda:
• Administrative/Sales
• Jewelry Production
• Marketing/Social Media
• Media/Communications
• Event Coordination
• Ministry Opportunities
• Graphic Design
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Contact Contact@TheUAPO.org