Path of Paper reycles paper into empowerment!

Path of Paper began in 2007 when Kathryn O'Grady joined the Peace Corps, after graduating from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. As a Peace Corps volunteer Kathryn was stationed in the dusty town of Iganga, in the eastern African country Uganda. While there Kathryn worked with a great non-governmental organization and was introduced to the Gemakumyino Women's Group. It was love at first sight! The women involved in the Gemakumyino Women's Group are hardworking, artistic and were waiting for the opportunity to use their abilities to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Hence, POP was born.
Path of Paper uses recycled paper to create beautiful jewelry, purses, bowls, bracelets etc. These products transform waste into empowerment and income for the lives of women in Iganga, Uganda.
When you buy from POP, you are not only are you buying a beautiful quality item, but you are supporting real women with real needs.
Thanks to our board of directors, UAOWF, and the vast network of women and men worldwide who have helped make this a reality.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

mpola mpola

Hey everybody,
I just added a paypal donate button to this blog ( pretty big deal for a die hard luddite like myself)! I'm hoping that we can raise money to aid in funding my trip to Uganda in February, as well as take one step closer to being able to sell beads online, and make it easier for anyone who wants to donate to our cause.

About two weeks ago my business partners and I ( my mother of course, and my Aunt Val who uses her business degree to help us create necessary paper work, sell beads, etc etc) met up in Milwaukee Wisconsin and worked on, amongst other things, our Fair Trade Federation Application. It seems we're back on this route again; trying to get Fair Trade Certified to up our credentials, and hopefully get us into some stores!

As we spoke, the list of things we need ( and want) to do in order to keep Path of Paper running grew by the second. We are well aware of our limitations and realize quite fully that we might be in over our heads, but the good thing is that our motivation is back! So be ready for lots of updates, lots of changes and a whole lot more professionalism!

Path of Paper is improving and I'm already counting down the days until I am back in Uganda.