Made with Love, Sold with Purpose

Many of you may already know that the incredible girls from Kampala frequent as jewelry makers. They use recycled paper to create beads and make totally rad tribal-fashioned jewelry which is all the rage. Our lovely Robin took to the streets of Summit to sell SHF jewelry during the latest street fair and was overwhelmed by the buzz these beads created.

So if you're looking for fresh digs to accessorize your summer wardrobe, SHF beads will also be sold during the Westfield street fair coming this June. We will also be setting up shop at the Relay for Life event in Chatham in the next two weeks.

Can't wait to purchase? Make sure to check us out at http://setherfree.org/store/

WE ARE GOING PLACES (Kind of)

Our extraordinary Robinah, dubbed the rescuer of the seasoned wanderer Norbert of Globo Treks, planted a seed, and now Set Her Free is reaping what has been sewn.  Sir Norbert of Puerto Rico experienced Robinah’s altruistic spirit when he landed in Entebbe, Uganda without a clue of where he’d sleep that night.

“Robinah might not have noticed- or maybe she did- but in one way, she did with me exactly the same thing she does with those women. She rescued me in a moment of need and gave me the tools to move along on my own,” blogged the gracious vagabond.

To fast track a bit, Robinah and Norbert have since kept in touch, and because Robinah is one to leave an impression, Norbert is now stamping our hearts with his generosity. Along with a troupe, proclaimed “The Drama of Llama,” Norbert is trekking from London to Mongolia in a car as suitable as a flotation device as a means of transport. Along the way, the group has pledged to raise funds for SHF. What an adventurous/marginally insane/philanthropic bunch!

If you care to live vicariously through this lively team all the fun details of this Mongol Rally are laid out here http://www.globotreks.com/rtw/crazy-adventure-mongol-rally/ and if you’d like to contribute you can do so here as well. Cheers! 

Lula Ruby Salon’s Initiative “Kuts for Kampala” Starts April 21st

Mark your calendars!!! The stylists at Lula Ruby’s organic salon are graciously on board to help Set Her Free finance our growth. Starting April 21^st the highly rated staff (on yelp) is doubling as humanitarians as they open their doors on Sundays ranging from one to two times a month. Dubbed “Kuts for Kampala,” the cause will donate all proceeds directly to SHF as the stylists contribute their personal time and skills. The salon is located at 7329 Better Way SE in Snoqualmie, WA. Contact the lovely folks at Lula Ruby for more information 425-292-0816. ‘Tis the season to look great, feel great and support a fabulous cause!

Help Us Sponsor the Future of Uganda! Please?

Currently there are six girls in need of sponsorship to fund their education. Fun fact: females that earn an income reinvest 90% of it into their families. 90%!!! It’s a win for everyone so please please please spread the word. These girls need our help! Sponsorship covers meals, boarding, school/exam fees, uniforms, books, field trips and medical care. There are two levels of sponsorship. The first is $1,200 per year which covers boarding and high school expenses, and the second is $800 per year for elementary day school. 

Meet the girls...

Juliet, 16

Jackie, 14

Glorious, 17

Alexandra, 17

Christine, 14

Ruth, 18

They are a tremendous bunch... Please help contribute to their bright futures!

xxo, SHF

Former Minister of Finance Dr. Ezra Suruma Visits SHF

Last month our SHF troupe in Uganda received a visit from Dr. Ezra Suruma, most notably the former Minister of Finance. The scholar and Ugandan native of the Kabale District now serves as the Director of Everlight College where sixteen SHF girls are enrolled for secondary instruction. Known to have excelled in banking and economics, Dr. Suruma demonstrated his commitment to educating the young women of Uganda with his inspirational talk and a generous donation to supply food for the two, expanding houses of SHF. Dr. Suruma truly motivated everyone in attendance to continue on their journey. Set Her Free was beyond proud to host such a highly regarded guest who is sincerely a testament to the importance of continued education and a drive for excellence. We feel honored, grateful and blessed... thanks so much, Dr. Suruma!!! 

It's Our Two Year Anniversary!!

The end of January marked our two year anniversary, and never have we ever felt so proud! We have experienced so much growth this past year and are happy to announce that we now have two boarding houses which combined house 30 girls. These houses moonlight as a home for our girls and additionally serve as vocational schools to 60 girls for hairdressing and tailoring. Coming up in June, all 60 girls will be graduating from their programs, making that 120 girls that have been educated through Set Her Free. We are beyond thrilled!!

        

Some more advancements we've seen this year include a nursery (that has three adorable babes), a salon that employs many of our graduates, our very first grant (woohoo!), a commercial in the making and an upcoming talk show appearance in Philadelphia. We’d like to give a special thanks to Robinah who now lives with the girls and serves as a mentor to everyone in the program. Twenty-twelve was beyond an amazing year, but 2013 already has offered us a solid, jump start. Thank you all for your support!

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

SHF just had it's 1 year anniversary. We started with a 10 yr old girl and we now have 59 girls total, both students & vocational training. We are so happy and so proud! Thank you to all who support our work.