BeadforLife "Opportunity Tour" Comes to Pittsburgh

Think of the times that small things frustrate you – being stuck in traffic, snow yet again, even something as minor as a broken nail right after a manicure.

Now, think of these two women - Joan Ahimbisibwe and Teddy Namuyiga. 

After Joan’s husband died, she was going to be forced into marriage with her brother-in-law. Instead she took her three small children and fled – with no money, no job and no food.

And then she found out she was HIV positive.

In order to survive, Joan made bricks out of mud, living with her children in a shack located in a swamp.

Teddy’s husband left her after she refused to give way her youngest daughter who was born deaf.  Teddy lived with her three small children in a single room, surviving on less that $11 a month.

Enter BeadforLife. 

BeadforLife is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women in Uganda to lift themselves out of poverty. With the mission to “Give a hand up, not a handout,” BeadforLife trains women to learn how to create a sustainable life. The women make money by creating beautiful jewelry from recycled beads.

Now, these two women are visiting the United States to share their stories of determination and they will be visiting Pittsburgh! 

As part of their “Opportunity Tour,” Joan and Teddy will be at two Pittsburgh locations.

BeadforLife invites you to meet these inspiring women at Chatham University on Friday, April 12^th from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will be held in the Welker Room at the campus.  

Joan and Teddy will also be at a “Meet & Greet” on Saturday, April 13^th at La Roche College from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ryan Room, Zappala College Center.  Both programs are free and open to the public.  Beads will be available for purchase at both events.

Come meet these brave women and hear their stories!