One question that is always raised is how did you get started in Uganda.....
I began in 2005 working with a Christian based non-profit organization called the Rafiki Foundation. They have vocational programs for their secondary girls schools that train in a variety of school subjects and vocational skills. In Uganda, they train in WEAVING. So, being a weaver, I signed on to help with product development and skill training. I spent close to 4 weeks working in Uganda at the Rafiki Village in Ssala. One of my objectives was to familiarize myself with the local cultural arts. I spent time observing palm leaf dyeing and coiled basketry. I also worked with the overseas staff (JoAnn Neal and Shirlene Farris ) to locate weavers in and around Kampala.
This led to a desire to return and research (which I have been able to do in 2006 and 2007); to understand and document the cultural arts that I was having the privilege of being exposed to. So I began exploring ways to become more familiar with the process and techniques of creating the fiber pieces as well as a material called barkcloth. Through a minor miracle I found Uganda Crafts 2000 Ltd. With the help of Betty and Ninah Kinene, I was exposed to incredible artisans and given the privilege of observing and researching these arts.
Since, I have worked on developing relationships with organizations, artisans, and interested persons. I worked with Kenneth Kahonda and Ninah Kinene to write an article on barkcloth as a result of our observations and research. This past summers research deserves an entire section...I can hardly begin to give credit to those who were and are an integral part of my continued exploration into the arts of Uganda. So I will start working on that to share.....
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