I remember when we first met Sally like it was yesterday. I saw nothing but teeth as she nervously giggled when I greeted her. Even when I would ask her a question she would just giggle and quietly respond with hers eyes always on the floor.  During my recent trip to Jinja I would often sit in the workshop and help cut fabric or count bags and watched as people would come in and Sally would loudly say "You are welcome!" and shake their hands or give familiar faces hugs. One day while we were reminiscing about her joining tukula I commented on how much more she talks and she said:

"Auntie, I never use to hug people or even talk so much until I met you and Uncle Joe. You have taught me to talk and hug everyone."

My heart exploded and I couldn't help but feel this overwhelming sense that dignity had been restored to Sally not through anything we did but through her own talents and ambition.

As I get caught up in marketing and branding I forget that there is so much more to tukula than just selling bags. There's this whole other side of it that is allowing the women's spirits to be uplifted and to pass that along to the community around them through a hug or even a friendly greeting.

Learn more about Sally at: http://www.tukula.org/artisans.html