9.11.12

Visiting Sseko Designs Workshop

There is a company called Sseko Designs that I love for many reasons.

1. Their sandals are amazing! Their bags are beautiful.
2. They are fair trade.
3. They are made in Uganda with Ugandan materials by Ugandan women.
4. By working at Sseko, these women earn money for a college education.

What is not to love? You might have noticed my love the Sseko sandals during this year's October Dress Project. I was a little obsessed with them and how many different ways I could wear them. This is truly the most versatile sandal and well worth the investment. I will never buy another pair of flip-flops again!

By some strange circumstance, I ended up bringing 50 pounds of white canvas across the big blue ocean to their workshop here in Kampala. Then they let me have a tour of how they make their amazing sandals, start to finish. It was such fun to be there and meet the amazing women who are working their way to college.


Our driver and a Sseko worker carrying the 50 pounds of canvas into the workshop.

Agnes gave us the grand tour. She works full time at Sseko and was a true joy to be around as we toured the workshop. I forgot to take a picture of her, so I high-jacket this photo from the Sseko website.



And the tour begins!

Cutting and stamping the sandals.


Sewing the straps into the leather.
Gluing the backing to the leather.
Quality check

Smoothing the edges to make it even.
Sewing the straps

Robinah Sr. working on the straps.

Sharon finishing a strap
Packaging the straps to sell

Isn't that cool? Craig filmed the whole thing and he was so fascinated by the entire process. "Big" was not overly thrilled to be there, but it was great to meet the women who make the clothing that I wear. It was pretty obvious that they don't normally receive muzungu (white people in Ugandan) visitors and they were thrilled to meet me, someone who owned their sandals. It is not often that you get to actually see where the products that you buy are made.


Now it is my time to beg: 
Please, oh please, oh please! Buy these as Christmas gifts for your sister, mother, friends and yourself! Let these women feel your love and spend your money for a purpose. Buy a gift that can make a difference in the life of the person who makes it. I and the wonderful women in these photographs that I took this week thank you.

8.11.12

One Last Hoorah! {21 hours in Amsterdam}

In our not-quite-warm-enough clothes in Amsterdam

On our travels around the world, we had a 21 hour stop over in Amsterdam. We decided to make this our one last "hoorah" without the kiddos and enjoy our "vacation" before our lives became a whole lot busier. It was a whirlwind getting off the plane, trying to figure out if we had to pick-up our bags there or if they were being send on ahead of us, trying to purchase train tickets to get on the correct train and then getting on a tram (which we inadvertently stole our way onto), then get off at the right spot (which did not happen) and then walk to the room that we rented from this great website.

On the stolen tram ride, opps!

When we made it, we realized that we forgot our winter jackets back in sunny Florida and the 30 degree Amsterdam weather required warmer clothing then the ensembles we had brought for our trip to the equator. We headed to a cheesy tourist shop to purchase some sweatshirts before we explored.

Craig standing on the doorstep of where we were staying.

A classic site in Amsterdam

Sporting my beautifully tacky sweatshirt that just happens to match my dress. So much for looking cute in Europe!

Craig sporting his Amsterdam team sweatshirt on the canal.

We were exhausted from our travels and knew we needed to make it an early night before we headed to the airport again in the morning, so we opted for a quiet stroll down our street to the Anne Frank house and then a nice Dutch dinner.





The line at the Anne Frank house was unreal, so we just took a couple of photos outside and will plan to visit the next time we are in Amsterdam. It was pretty surreal to be standing outside and know what had taken place inside. I need to re-read her diary so I never forget what happens when people think of themselves as better then others.

Anne Frank and the freezing cold Karissa


Can you see the line? That is just the beginning!

Anne Frank House, what a dream come true!

As we wandered our way back to our room, we stumbled upon a delightful little restaurant where we enjoyed a warm meal. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of the outside of the establishment nor do I recall the name of the place to recommend to others. Sorry!


Notice my November 12X12 Project bracelet?


Duck liver patte

Cafe, what a treat!


Then we headed to our room, surrounded by the romantic canals and lights of Amsterdam. Our last night as parents of just two and our last moments together before a long couple of weeks, months and years ahead. It was a kind of good-bye to an era in our lives and a preparation for the joy and struggles ahead.