Our Story
A CHANCE TO TRANSFORM WOMEN
WE GO BACK 8 YEARS
It all started in Banda, suburb in Kireka, 25km from Kampala. A young lady called Gladys came up with the idea to provide employment for uneducated women through hand skills to generate income by recycling paper. They did it brilliantly by adding glue to paper, making it durable and water resistant. The result- making paper beads from recycled paper. After being trained by someone who saw the need to help the community, she set out to teach others in this skill. She identified 10 others women who could make these beads and turn them to jewellery. Although, the idea wasn't profitable at first, she managed to get them some form of employment.
GLOBAL VISION
PAPER BEADS WORLDWIDE
To share the Creative spirit globally, Gladys teamed up with Kaya and artisans to create handcrafted paper jewellery in many color combinations—each one as unique as the person wearing it. What started out as selling just a few paper beads a week has grown into a worldwide movement with thousands of paper beads and jewellery sold. Pepa Bead has the opportunity to expand its artisan community to include a family of more than 20 artisans in Uganda currently , who can count on a steady income and positive work environment thanks to the incredible support of Pepa Beads fans.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Our goals for these women
We believe in empowering women that is why we founded Pepa Beads.With Pepa Beads we ensure that the women who hand craft these beads have steady income, sustainable jobs, and improve their creativity and intelligence. These beads are specially handcrafted women in Uganda, the detail and time taken to roll paper to make beads, in atmosphere of laughter and sharing in what makes the beads special.