Alison Rockett certainly amazed us with the ease with which Acholi beads could be made.  Members rapidly learned how to use cocktail sticks, long triangular pieces of colourful scrap paper and clear nail varnish to make unique beads.  You can the results below and even more pictures on Twitter WomenoftheWI

MHWI members rolling and varnishing their own Acholi beads from colourful scrap paper

Alison is prepared with scraps of paper (left) and glitter, tiny beads, etc (right)

Samples of the finished Acholi bead items sold locally by Alison Rockett

Small scraps of paper which are rolled to make the beads

Sample necklace using larger Acholi beads. Card is used and these beads are usually made by the men as greater strength is needed

Alison also told members how she became involved with the Ugandan Acholi people when she taught out there in an international school.  The Acholi tribespeople experienced racisim and struggled to make a living by digging small pits for stone to make gravel: also one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.  With intervention by various parties, the opportunity to make and sell beads for exporting has enabled women not only to feed their families, but also to pay for education for their children.  Her intermediary in Uganda is Josephine at Acholi Bead Craft – pictures below give more details.