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Unlike many young girls growing up in northern Uganda in the middle of a civil war, Jesca was able to attend school until primary 7. She was unable to continue her education because there was not enough money to educate all of the children (her father had 5 wives so there were many children to be schooled). She stayed at home working alongside her mother doing household chores and toiling in the garden for four years. Then she met the man she would marry at an Acholi cultural dance.
They married, had two children and enjoyed more than twenty years together. He was killed in a roadside accident in 1993.
Jesca has supported herself by selling small necessities like needles, thread and razors that she purchases in town and sells locally in the Acholi Quarter.
As the paper bead making business grew, so did her business. She expanded her offerings to include glass beads, jewelry findings and other materials needed by the artisans. She also sells the paper bead jewelry she makes herself to vendors in town.
As the market for paper bead jewelry has diminished, Jesca has returned to her roots and spends part of her time in northern Uganda where she works the land, as she once did in her childhood. She grows staples like millet, maize, sim sim and gnuts.
Jesca is still renting a home in the Acholi Quarter and hopes one day she can build her own home in the north and retire there.
Unlike many young girls growing up in northern Uganda in the middle of a civil war, Jesca was able to attend school until primary 7. She was unable to continue her education because there was not enough money to educate all of the children (her father had 5 wives so there were many children to be schooled). She stayed at home working alongside her mother doing household chores and toiling in the garden for four years. Then she met the man she would marry at an Acholi cultural dance.
They married, had two children and enjoyed more than twenty years together. He was killed in a roadside accident in 1993.
Jesca has supported herself by selling small necessities like needles, thread and razors that she purchases in town and sells locally in the Acholi Quarter.
As the paper bead making business grew, so did her business. She expanded her offerings to include glass beads, jewelry findings and other materials needed by the artisans. She also sells the paper bead jewelry she makes herself to vendors in town.
As the market for paper bead jewelry has diminished, Jesca has returned to her roots and spends part of her time in northern Uganda where she works the land, as she once did in her childhood. She grows staples like millet, maize, sim sim and gnuts.
Jesca is still renting a home in the Acholi Quarter and hopes one day she can build her own home in the north and retire there.