The company 31 Bits was born with the desire to bring the best of Uganda to an American market, while generating safer environments for Ugandan women. In 2007, Kallie Dovel visited Northern Uganda and brought back with her a box of jewelry made by displaced African females. Her determination and dream to give Uganda’s women a structured base to developed their skills and business is what caused her to start 31 Bits.

In order fight systemic poverty, 31 Bits created a concept to improve the conditions of women. Every month, the company buys their creations at a fair, instant income, and additionally, it offers them a series of educational programs such as English lessons, AIDS orientation, and financial and vocational training. The instructors also makes sure that they successfully finish their careers and have the means to offer their families and communities a superior quality of life. By learning about their own business and health, these Ugandan women enter into safe network of work and care, where they learn the right tools to beat marginal poverty and social inequity.

And the result couldn’t be better, the jewelry is beautifully handmade using 100% recycled paper and other local materials. There is also a variety of collection for casual occasions or more important ones like marriage. Starting with six women, 31 Bits is now an incredible social enterprise composed of 99 female workers who have found in crafts a way to heal suffering and have a purpose in life.

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