GUEST POST: MUSANA JEWELRY, Kristen Daniels, Co-Founder

"While I was there (in Uganda) I realized how I had been so limited in

my thinking of the good I can do. I saw that even young, naive,

relatively inexperienced kids like us can make positive change. Maybe

it is because we are young and a little crazy and daring. We must

certainly learn from those who have been in the business about the

sound principles of sustainable development; but then also be

innovative and creative in coming up with new solutions to age-old

problems. I'm really hopeful about the future, the general goodness of

people, and our generation's ability to eliminate the effects of

extreme poverty in the world."

- Melissa, Co-Founder

My name is Kristen Daniels, I am one of the co-founders of Musana Jewelry. Musana means "sunlight" in Luganda, one of the languages spoken in Uganda, Africa. I spent four months there last year and learned so much from the people I met. As I was getting ready to leave, I wanted to do something more sustainable for women, especially mothers who haven't ever been educated and are really struggling to make ends meet. I along with a few friends, decided to launch a social business, a business that helps people. That is how Musana jewelry was born.

Our aim is to allow people from around the world to connect to these women and support them through buying the jewelry product we sell. Most of the jewelry is hand by eight women and some of the jewelry is from a local tribe in the area. We don't pay ourselves and so far are just focused on helping these women get on their feet. We provide counseling, health training, savings and loans, and are trying to help them send their children to school.

Please look through our website! Buying jewelry for yourself or friends is a great way to look good and feel good.

Be light. Be Musana.

Email kristen@musanajewelry.org for questions or if you would like to get involved.