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.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Making strides!

I really don't have words to express how I'm feeling right now. As the departure date to Uganda creeps closer it becomes harder and harder to deny that I am going. I've done a few things to prepare myself for leaving: I've gotten a shot in the arm, and a prescription for doxycycline [for malaria prevention]. I somehow ended up telling the doctor that I liked getting the good kind of needles, which came out sounding very wrong. I need to write a Yelp review about that medical center.. I'm just not quite sure what to make of it yet.
I've received generous donations from my friends, and I feel incredibly blessed by them.

I'm getting excited for some little things that have nothing to do with getting to see fabulous ugandan co workers/family. These include:
-Oweeno market ( I already have a mental list of the incredibly great clothes I need to bring back from there: jeans, jeans jeans, brown boots, and hats!..oh dear)
-Chapati! enough said
-MOTORCYLCE RIDES!!! thats right folks, in about less than 3 weeks, I will ride recklessly at least once on the back of a motorcycle... maybe without a helmet and ..most likely SITTING SIDE SADDLE!!!!! Risk becomes me.
-Pilsner (my oh so creatively named Uganda beer of choice)
-Little Bananas, Jack fruit ( possibly the secret ingredient to Juicy Fruit)
-The call for prayer



Wow, I could really go on forever if given the chance. I guess I am excited to go back. I also have a few things to remember to do while I'm there and need to start making that list. One of these things includes taking more video while I'm there.

Lastly, many of my Peace Corps friends will be happy to know that I have date to eat pork at the pork joint! While I'm in Uganda, my vegetarian diet goes out the window. I'm sure my stomach will hate me for this decision a few days while I'm there, but in Uganda the animals have such a higher likely hood of enjoying a full and natural life than in America. But now that I think about it, I really wonder where the meat in restaurants in Iganga and Kampala come from. I'll have to ask more questions this time, but most of the time I eat meat it will hopefully be with families who raised it themselves. The last thing I'll say about my vegetarianism is that pig meat is my least favorite to eat. Its the only animal that I really feel a spiritual guidance against eating. But I'm excited to go to the pork joint for the sake of tradition. And I do remember their tomatoes being especially delicious, and their Pilsner's especially refreshing! Not even to mention that they play all the latest music videos and I will be up to date on all the latest jams by the time I leave! YES!!


Well writ
ing this just made me think of one trillion other things I need to do....I would especially like to thank the Uebelhoer family for donating their laptop to UAOWF.

I'll continue to post more as the days fly by. I'm revitalized in my dedication to Path of Paper, and cross my heart promise I am going to study Lusoga soon!!!