Partners Worldwide Stories

"Global Sisters" Grow Business, Support Community

When Ellen Willis visited Uganda, she felt called to help the community. Her friend, Shartsi Mushurere, a Ugandan woman, approached her with the idea to start a business selling handmade jewelry from Uganda. Her initial reaction was “an emphatic no”, but Shartsi convinced Ellen to commit a year to praying together before she would take no for an answer. After ten months, Ellen was led to start the business, and “Global Sisters” was formed.

Global Sisters is a unique business not only because of the product they sell, but because of where their proceeds go. The jewelry is made out of recycled paper, which is cut, folded and lacquered, and then strung together to form a necklace. With some of the profits, Ellen and Shartsi are able to send Ugandan children to school, create a moving library for the children, and assist micro-businesses in the surrounding community.

To Ellen, this business is not just “something to help the community.” She explains that “what has made this process so interesting is that it reflects issues on God the Fathers’ heart. It says in Isaiah that he takes the people with shame and disgrace and makes them into Oaks of righteousness. Just like the beads, a piece of throw away paper is rolled into a unique, one-of-a-kind, gorgeous creation. I believe this is what the Father has in mind for Africa as well.”