Merry Christmas from Uganda!

Merry Christmas - 2012! from tukula on Vimeo.

Dear Friends:
We wanted to let you know that this Holiday Season we got your back.
That's why we have compiled a bunch of our products to help you find that perfect gift for everyone on your list.

For the Teacher, Group Leader, or Student:
The Tote BagAvailable in blue and tan and a special fall print on our Roozt page.












For the mom on the go:
The BEEheld Baby Sling and BEEloved Diaper Bag











Form the Make-up lover:
Radiant Cosmetic bag and Uganda Collection












For the kids:
WEE-GROW T-shirt and Kid-Wraps











For the day-tripper or adventure seeker:
The Sling Bag
Available in sugar plum and poinsettia











For your sister or mom:
The Shami Bag
Available in Cranberry or Harvest

For yourself or your best friend:
Fold over Clutch











The perfect stocking-stuffers:
The Headwrap and Fabric Bracelet











I hope this guide helps you while you're deciding what to get for your friends and family!
Oh, and please remember our gift to you this season: ONE FREE HEADWRAP with every order!

grace and peace,
tukula

all things new

A lot going on here at tukula!
We just launched two new products: The fold-over clutch and the fabric bracelet

Our partner companies Radiant Cosmetics & The little Bee Co both launch new products by the tukula ladies

Ember Arts started selling a new version of our headwraps made by Sally on their website.

For the months of November and December we will be selling our items at the very popular Prince Street Cafe in Lancaster,PA!

We will be selling select items on the RELEVANT store.

Our new Partners at Given Goods will be launching their website in TEN days and you will be able to purchase tukula and a lot of other great social brands items there.


AND we will be having another exciting giveaway coming up this week!
Thank you so much for continuing to spread the word about tukula and supporting us so well!

A give-away of sorts!

We're launching two new products on November 5th and we couldn't be more excited about them!
Head on over to  our facebook page and enter yourself in a chance to win both products!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/tukula/274365036065

SALE!

Be sure to check our online store. Some of our favorite items and prints are on sale for a limited time!
www.tukula.org

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

Hello Fall!

We have a new video:

Fall 2012 from tukula on Vimeo.

A new look-book
And a few new prints in the shop!

ENJOY!

New for fall coming soon!

Name Dropping Wednesday #2

I can't believe it's already Wednesday!
So here is round 2 of showing thanks to those who deserve some thanks!

The Pulsera Project is a family who turned a vacation into an incredible journey to color the world. Much like tukula they work with people in Nicaragua to create jobs and care for Nicaraguan Communities. We're in the process of working with them to help provide more jobs in Uganda. They are a very encouraging and genuine bunch who do what they do out of such a joyful spirit. We are SO THANKFUL for all the way ways they have come alongside of us.

 I was "surfing the web" one day when I came across Moriah's etsy shop. She makes amazing jewelery and scarves and other fun accessories. On item that really caught my eye was a necklace with a Singer Sewing Machine Charm on it. The same singer sewing machine that the ladies of tukula use. I promptly bought 5 of them for the ladies and can't wait to give them to them the next time we visit. Moriah was so sweet when I made my purchase and didn't make me pay for shipping and put such a sweet note in the package. She has also allowed for us to advertise for free on her blog! We are currently working on a partnership with her to get these singer sewing machine necklaces to all of you! These little things that Moriah has done has added up to a whole lot of joy for us!

We are so thankful for everyone who encourages us!

Name Dropping Wednesday

We want to shout out to a few companies and people who have really just been hardcore tukula friends. People who have done little things and big things to spread the word about tukula. We would love to make this a weekly event...giving props where props are due.



The Little Bee Company: Whether you like cloth diapers or not you will want to check out the little bee co. They are are straight up legit and good people. They love others on the other side of the world that they don't even know. The little bee co. has come along side tukula in a way that has really encouraged us personally and have helped to give the ladies consistent work and income every month.  We feel really blessed to be a small part of what they do!





 Jamie The Very Worst Missionary: When we started advertising on Jamie's hilarious blog we got more hits on our website than we ever had before. Even when we couldn't pay for ad space she has continued to support us by spreading the tukula word. She has been really easy to work with and lets us change our ad as many times as we want and always says they are beautiful! If you are look for a place to advertise you business or company I HIGHLY suggest contacting Jamie.




 Check the blog next Wednesday to hear about more amazing people who have really encouraged us!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I AM NOT THIS SKIN

I have countless stories of children in Uganda pinching my skin to see if I was real. Stories of having to cut tangles/knots out of my hair after someone would want to "play with that American hair". I am a firm believer that most people just want what they don't have - myself included.



One time I was in the tukula shop hanging out with Sally and Bennah when a Ugandan lady walked by with very light skin. Sally was the first to comment "Auntie you see that lady, she has made her skin whiter". This was not the first time I had seen a Ugandan women with bleeched skin. I asked Sally why women here do that and her response was one I heard often "because WE think white skin is more beautful". I went on to explain that in America some people pay to have there skin darkened (tanning beds) because they think it's beautiful. We went back and forth for a little while and all of a sudden Bennah boldly proclaims, "I would never change my skin because I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made!"




I'm so thankful for Bennah's boldness and her ability to stand firm in who she is. In the past few months she has experienced many trials but she always handles everything with such wisdom and confidence. She is constantly teaching all of us at tukula and we are so happy she is a part of our family.

A year with Sally

We made this video shortly after we started working with Sally. Since this video was made Sally has, graduated from her tailoring course, has become one of our fastest tailors, cared for her family and taken in her niece where they live together in Sally's very own home! Much has changed for Sally during this year with tukula! She is JOYFUL and DETERMINED and we know that she will go even farther in the next year!

Sally from tukula on Vimeo.

Customer Testimonial

From Candice of Brunch with Munch:

I love to shop and I love shopping for a cause even more. I am always on the lookout for companies who are trying to give back and when I stumbled upon Tukula's website, I knew I wanted to work with them. My grandfather has traveled to Africa (Uganda once) a few times with his church to serve the people and to give back what he could. He always brings back such amazing, handmade, one of a kind quality items. Tukula is no different. Each design is unique and each item has a story. I loved working with Melissa and the members of Tukula. They are friendly, compassionate, and a blessing. I urge everyone to explore not only their website, but what they are all about. I know you will fall in love with them just as I have!

Candice is giving away one of our Shami Bag's on her blog - be sure to check it out: http://brunchwithmunch.blogspot.com/

Sweet Flavia has been coming to shop after school everyday since January. She is six years old and the Niece of Sally, from deep in the village of Arua (Northern Uganda). When Sally returned to Jinja from visiting her family in Arua this past Christmas and New Years she brought back little Flavia so she could attend school in Jinja Town. When Flavia came to Jinja she didn't know any English or even the local language in Jinja (luganda) - she only new her village language. Since starting school Flavia has learned a lot of English and Luganda and loves playing with her new friends. She is quite Sassy and ALWAYS singing or humming. The ladies in the jinja shop say that she is their radio. Flavia has also been an inspiration to our WEE GROW line. She would often take the scrap pieces of fabric from the bags and wrap them around her head or knot them all together. We thought the bright Kitenge prints looked so cute on her so we decided to make the headwraps in kid sizes. Since Sally works for tukula she is able to pay for Flavia to go to a good school close to their home. We love seeing the money the women make being used on their families and the community around them.

This is the first installment of our ARTISAN INTERVIEW series.

Through these interviews you will get a better look at the lives of the ladies

and their work with tukula.

First up is tukula's very first seamstress, Nakato Bennah.

JOE: What are some things that tukula has helped you to do?
BENNAH: Tukula has helped me to earn some money to look after myself. Sometimes I can find when there is no money at home, when my husband has no money, so this money can help us and help my kid. It has also helped me to help other people.

J: What are 3 things that you like about your job?
B: I like my job because it gives me peace, I am working with free people who don't put pressure on me, naturally I like it like that.

J: How has tukula helped you besides financially?
B: They are friendly, they are close, and open to us, we can talk about anything we want.

J: What do you want for your future?
B: Since I am a tailor right now I would like to get my own workshop in the future with 10 machines around to teach others, for those who want to learn.

J: What would you like to say to people buying your bags?
B: I want to thank everybody who buys our bags because it has helped us in so many ways. If there was nobody to buy we would be losing jobs and losing courage but when their buying we can support ourselves like that.
Really, I thank them very much!

To learn more about Bennah and her family visit:
www.tukula.org/bennah.html

Jacob's Firsts

We love this kid!

Mother's Day Special and a Diaper Drop

Hi friends!
We currently have a mother's day special going on over on our store: Teal Carry all and limited Edition green/brown print clutch for only $35! I promise your mom will love it!

Also we wanted to let you know about the next Diaper Drop from The Little Bee Co.
They will be doing the drop in none other than our very own Jinja, Uganda at a very sweet children's home called Amani Baby Cottage. The kids there are very dear to my heart and I'm so excited that this company in partnering with them! Click on over to their site and buy a diaper or give a donation - even buying the Bee Loved bag helps!

Hope you all have a great week!
xo Melissa

How We Carry Tukula & A Giveaway

****Congrats to the giveaway winner Janelle from LeeMaeMarie!!*****

Being the founder of tukula I have received (or taken from inventory) a lot of bags.
After using each bag on a daily basis I feel like they all have very different uses so I thought I would share my thoughts on how each bag could be best used...




If you're like me and don't use a big bag for day to day use the Shami Bag is a good fit for you! I use this one most days to hold my wallet, keys, chap-stick, a pen and post-its...and it's perfect. I normally see it used as a shoulder bag but I wear mine cross-body more often. I like wearing it cross-body because I'm shorter and the bottom of most cross body bags end up hitting my knee but the shami doesn't.















The sling bag is an all time favorite amongst tourists in uganda and I have even seen that this style is even popular amongst tourists in asia as well. Living on the east coast it's easy for us to do day trips to cities like DC, NYC, and Philly and this bag is perfect for long days out. It's best worn as a cross-body bag as well and can usually fit all of the daily necessities as well as a light jacket or book.

















The tote bag has become an all-time favorite of mine. We spent a few days in Cape-May New Jersey at the beach and it was the perfect bag for the trip! With the weather being so unpredictable theses days here in PA it's been great for packing sunscreen, a sweater, a bottle of water, and umbrella along with all the daily necessities. Most larger bags have thicker fabric or are lined with foam but the tote bags has a light weight cotton fabric that makes it not feel bulky even when you're carrying a lot.











I feel like most women have a favorite bag and I love hearing about what makes them their favorite bag. So as a special spring treat I'm going to be giving away my favorite bag, the new tote bag.

Here's what you have to do to enter the giveaway (each one counts as an entry):
1. Leave a comment telling me about your favorite bag.
2. Share our giveaway on facebook - be sure to tag tukula in your post @tukula
3. Share our giveaway on Twitter - be sure to tag us @tukulawegrow
4. Blog about Tukula - be sure to comment here with a link to your post

I will randomly select a winner on Wednesday (April 25th).
Good luck, friends!
-Melissa

New Tote Bag and Prints!

Now introducing our biggest bag yet - the tote bag! The yellow/red/orange print is perfect for this spring/summer. I carry mine everywhere and love it!

We have also stocked our online store with new prints of our classic sling, shami, and clutch.
Happy shopping!

transistions

This month is a month of transitions for tukula and we are so grateful for all the support we have received!

Joe and I are now living in the states working hard to advocate for the ladies and sell their bags! We are so thankful that Benji and the tukula women are such hard workers and amazing people who we trust completely. We were so sad to say goodbye but are excited to experience a new season and help tukula the best we can.


We couldn't leave with out a party though! So we all had lunch together at our favorite "Mum's Cafe" and then headed to the pool. Only two of the ladies (Sally and Lydia) actually swam because the others were a bit afraid. But it was still a lot of fun to say the least. It was the very first time for Sally's niece Flavia (5) and Bennah's son Jacob (1) to be at the pool so there was some happy and not so happy screams!