A fundraiser hosted by the UNA Center for Women’s Studies last semester raised a record amount for Bead for Life, a program helping impoverished women in Uganda.

This year’s revenue hit $4,948 within the two-week time period of the event, exceeding the goals set and the revenue raised from previous years. Bead for Life is a part of the Women’s Center’s global outreach.

“Last year we raised over $3,200 and hoped this year we could raise more,” said Emily Kelley, Women’s Center coordinator.  “We were amazed at the outcome and so pleased at how well the community supported this.

We had double the volunteer participation come help out with the fundraiser and experienced a tremendous amount of publicity, both from the press and media.”

The campaign sells hand-crafted beaded jewelry and shea butter cosmetics that women of Uganda craft and make.

“This campaign helps Ugandan women and their families pull themselves out of extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than a $1.25 a day,” Kelley said.

Kelley added that being the head of the household falls on many women whose husbands have die from HIV and AIDS or in war.

“It is a better return of any philanthropy that I know of,” she said. “The Women’s Center keeps none of the proceeds earned by the fundraiser.

Over 95 percent of the proceeds go back into the hands of these Ugandan women and the campaign’s educational programs set up for them.”

The organization provides a two-year program that teaches these women trades and career skills.

“Women are encouraged to buy land through the campaign’s ‘Friendship Villages’ project,” Kelley said. “As property owners, these women can be recognized in society. The money that goes back literally changes these women’s lives.”

The Women’s Center has been involved with Bead for Life for several years and will continue to do the fundraiser, she added. The center’s involvement in global, as well as local, outreach reinforces their mission.

“It is incumbent upon women everywhere to lend a helping hand to other women attempting to better themselves,” Kelley said.

Jean Ann Willis, a senior criminal justice major, said Beads for Life is a wonderful way to raise money for less fortunate women.

“If someone happened to miss the event and is interested in learning more about the cause, they can visit the campaign’s website at www.beadforlife.org,” Kelley said.