The Musana Jewelry Workshop

We (the interns) usually arrive at the Musana Jewelry workshop at 9:30 or 10 in the morning, after an attempt at jogging (okay, we've gone twice so far) and a carbohydrate-friendly breakfast (thanks, Africa).

The workshop is a four-room building ten minutes from home with a garden-in-progress in the backyard. When we arrive, the ten artisans already have been there for a few hours, some as early as 6:30.

Most work in the front room, sitting on mattresses. When the interns first arrived in Lugazi, the women were making paper beads, but since then they've also worked on beaded jewelry. The converse in Luganda while they work, so we're not really sure what they talk about. But by their bursts of laughter, we know it's hilarious.

They eat and drink tea while they work. Several women bring in their children regularly. They crawl and cry and poop and run around. Regulars include:

Nicole, Eve's daughter. She is perfect in every way.

Travis, Betty's son / baby dinosaur.

Elvis, Cissy's son / grumpy old man.
He looks sweet here, but he usually just
frowns and hits me when I come near him.

Prosper, Florence's shy three-year-old.

In addition to jewelry-making, each Musana artisan is designated an extra job at the workshop, like design or sales or workshop upkeep. Mama Christine, the most senior, is in charge of the garden. Florence shows me how to "dig" (weed). We aim to plant more vegetables soon after a slight period of inactivity (well, 5 months).

The other interns and I also teach lessons a few days a week for an hour in public health, jewelry design, and "communications," which constitutes English literacy, professionalism, ethics, or anything that might help make them more marketable for future employment. This is one of Musana's main objectives. Business and finance classes will begin soon after the arrival of the new intern, Trista.

Design class on color schemes, led by Julie.

The public health lessons, taught by me and Angela, launched last week. Tuesday was the first lesson, on nutrition. It triggered conversation about the barriers to well-balanced diets for families, like financial resources. Next Tuesday, Angela and I will buy and cook some lesser-used vegetables to help them expand their knowledge about what foods are available (and hopefully) affordable. 

We also have fun exercising and stretching. And I can't wait to teach them zumba. Yes, my big contribution to Africa.

Everyone stretches except Florence,
who just laughs at everyone else.

Thursday, we had a spectacular fashion shoot for a new Musana brochure. Rest assured that this will be fully documented in its own post.

Check out the Musana website for information about the artisans and staff. We'll be posting updated profiles soon.