NAKATE PROJECT - Where Will You Take Africa Today?

A few months ago, I was introduced to Shanley Knox on the wonderful world of Twitter. She founded an incredible organization called Nakate, a organization that sells necklaces handmade by Ugandan women to benefit them and their communities. She and her designer at the time asked me for print production help for their summer line paper materials. Through the months I've gotten to know Shanley and Nakate and am so honored to be a small part of what they're doing for the betterment of women's lives in Uganda.

About Nakate - In 2010, we met 7-year-old named Cossy Nakate. Suffering from AIDS, orphaned and living in a small African village called Kakooge, Cossy impacted us in a way we couldn’t stop thinking about. Here at Nakate, we’re looking to put a little bit of Africa – a little bit of Cossy Nakate – into every woman’s life that we meet. That way, when they take a little piece of Africa with them, they can help pass it along, until we all are aware, and we all are working to prevent stories like her’s. Whether you’re someone who wants to buy a necklace, or you’re a designer, a photographer, a woman with a dinner group, a book group, a blog or a fashion show, we’re asking – where will you take Africa with you today? We’d like to give you a piece.

I would love to encourage each of you to take a look at the Nakate website [www.nakateproject.com]. The necklaces are beautiful and proceeds go 100% to this beautiful cause.

If anything, pray for this project. Pray for the impact it is making and will make. Pray for opportunity for growth. Pray for Uganda. To be honest, I'm not really what else to say besides that. I think that all of us want to make an impact on the world. I also believe that we will, in some fashion. I admire Shanley for taking this opportunity to impact Uganda and every woman who purchases a piece of their jewlery. Her impact is evident in the selflessness and courage it takes to run a project like this and all that comes with it. I pray that I find as much passion in something that will help others in my life. 

For now, I'll be there for Nakate. I hope and pray that you will be too.

P.S. - I would also encourage you to read this post from Shanley about the branding development behind "Where Will You Take Africa Today" [here].