These ladies each have different struggles, different pain, and differnt stresses. I know more about them than I ever thought I would and it makes me so thankful to have had the life experiences that I have had to be there for them. Each of us on this team has had struggles that have brought us to this point. Our students have to strong everyday and it was a relief for them for someone else to be strong for them in their time of weakness.

Of course, we are very biased, but these women are so incredibly gorgeous inside and out. It has been said that the eyes are the window to the soul. Through these windows, I see courage, insecurities, strength, joy, worries, and passion. I am a better person now for knowing each of them.

We have had some of the biggest donations this trip. From flat irons, to combs, to brushed, and now makeup. Some of the biggest names in professional makeup doanted to our program for our students to have the opportunity for success. I hope they all know how much it has meant to our girls. I think they are still completely overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers.

It has been the most amazing experience to watch their determination. It has been so moving to hear about what motivated them. Family. Friends. Children. Husbands. The desire for a better life. My prayer for them is to always hold on to the things that motivate them.

We reprized an activity from our last project here in Brazil where each of us had a paper taped to our backs and everyone had to anonymously write encouraging and postive things to each other. It was amazing to see how these girls love and repect one another. They called each other beautiful, strong, corageous, mother, warrior, and the list goes on. Each of them has a story and everyone had the right words for each other. When we were finished writing, all of them read their own papers out loud. So many of the girls had no idea that their classmates felt this way about them.

One of our students, Graça missed the first part of class. So, we had all the girls write on her paper before she got there. When she got there we were all singing with the Ukelelady herself and having so much fun. We ended our little “Kumbaya”  with all the girls singing Hallelujah and we all were in tears together. Then it was time for Graça to read her paper. Hers was filled front and back with beautiful words of encouragement and love. Overwhelmed with emotion, another student read hers aloud. She was so moved by the beautiful things her friends had to say about her. She didn’t feel worthy of the compliments her fellow students gave to her.

Graça is our eldest student. At 54 years old, she works very hard to keep up with the class. She says she’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Whenever she has nothing to do, she finds something to do. Whether it is another students hair, or cleaning, or watching another student work to learn all she can, Graça is truly an example to the girls. We all know her as the classroom mommy and the girls all look to her and respect her. As she broke down while hearing what everyone thought of her, she opened up about what was happening in her life at home. She cares for some of her grandchildren, one of which comes with her to beauty school everyday. She has a grandson with special needs that she cares for and loves him dearly. Graça is under a lot of pressure as a wife, mother, and grandmother to make ends meet. Like most people, she uses humor to mask her hurt, her pain, nad her insecurities. Today was her day to let go and let everything out that she had been holding onto for so long. She said she finally felt safe to share all that she has been dealing with for so long.

Graça truly exemplifies the meaning of her name, filled with Grace. We are all previledged to know her and to call her friend.

Nothing in the world could have prepared me for this. The girls gathered around Graça and prayed for her in her time of need. The support these women give to each other is a beautiful thing to watch. Eu ti amo, Graça….

We administered their midterm exams on Friday. It consisted of a written test and practical exam. Everyone was so nervous! Everyone would receive a brush for completing the exam, but the grand prize for the top scorer was a GHD flat iron. I don’t know if this made them more nervous or more excited. But either way this out the pressure on!

After the written test we gave them a list of services they needed to do. Some had a haircut, an updo, and a braid. Some had to flat iron, french braid, and curl. None of them knew what combination of service they would get. But I think the worst thing for them was not the test, but keeping quiet! They want so much to help and encourage each other. I don’t think I have seen a group a ladies root for each other the way they do. In the beauty industry in America there is so much back biting and under cutting that seeing them treat each other the way to do is so refreshing.

As I was scoring them, there were 6 that were tied til about half way through. It was such a close race. Finally at the end, there were 3 that stood out. We were only planning on give 1 iron, but their performances were stellar. We just couldn’t pick one out of them. One of the ladies who won is 7 months pregnant and had a prenatal appointment during the midterm. She didn’t want to miss the test, so she rescheduled her appointment to the morning and rushed back in 90′ weather just so she wouldn’t be late.

That is just one example of how dedicated these women are to the program. There is story after story of their motivation, all steming from wanting to provide for their families. It is such a beautiful thing to see.

I am so excited to begin our week after a successful midterm.

Thank you so much Radiant for giving to our students. It means the world to them!

We had the girls go up in groups of 4 and they were graded on speed, accuracy, overall apperance, and attitude. So, many girls made up for their speed with a great attitude. They didn’t give up and even started over if they felt the style wasn’t up to par.

The best part (and the worst part) was keeping the rest of the class quiet while the team that was up was testing. The other ladies were trying to help them knowing we couldn’t understand what they were saying. Luckily, we have the best 2 translators ever who ratted them out and told us they were helping them. As much as we needed to be the authoritative figures and tell them not to cheat, it was so wonderful to see them cheer each other on. They truly want to see their sisters and friends succeed.

After the scores were tallied, 1 girl scored 19 out of 2o, and 4 girls scored 18 out of 20. The rest have more practice to do, but they all know and understand that practice makes perfect. The winner each received a paddle brush and everyone received a comb donated from hair hookups for their hard work. By completing all their tests and quizzes, they will be able to begin building their kits to do hair on their own. We have lots more to treat the girls to to help them move along in their new career.

Tomorrow, the girls will be extra excited to receive the surprise after their pop quiz…

One of our translators, Michel, even wanted to compete!!

In other news, Melissa and I got to see two of our faves from the last course we taught in Brazil in  the fall of 2011. Elisama and Michely inspired each of us in different ways. They are both resiliant women with knowledge beyond their years. Melissa and I are so thankful that they are in our lives. Their stories have even inspired our friends and familes back at home. A friend of mine, Carley, was so moved by Elisama’s story that she painted her a portrait and googled translated a message to her. Elisama was so overwhelmed and thankful that someone on the other side of the world was touched by her.

Eu ti amo meninas…

I landed in Rio at 6am and I was so nervous to go through customs… Of course I worked myself all up and they just waved me through. Customs let me right through with 8 flatirons in my suitcases. Success! I couldn’t wait to eat, have my first açai, and meet the girls that Maria, Melissa, and Jilee have been working with for the past week. They set up the school, did inventory of all the tools and products, and began the course. All of this in 90` weather with 90% humidity. Basically, all the super hard work!! They got in a week and a half before me and have filled me in on how hard working this group of girls is. One woman in the course who lives on the other side of the community has a daughter in school. Her bus comes to get her 30 minutes before class starts. As soon as the bus comes to get her daughter, she runs as fast as she can so she won’t be late to school. By the way, she is 6 months pregnant!

Raquel, our Brazilian mommy, was so concerned that I needed sleep and all I wanted to do was get to school! We all got into the community and I was eager to see our past students and friends we had made from before. We ran into so many familair faces along the walk and I felt right at home again! (Don’t worry, Grandma, I promise I’ll come home!) As we set up for the day at school, slowly the students began coming in. Since Maria, Melissa, and Jilee have already gotten to know the girls, they are already taking bets in which student will be my fave! Not that we have faves or anything…

Maria taught haircutting the week before, so today we jumped right into updos. I showed them a few styling techniques and they were off and running. They went straight over to their doll heads and tried all the techniques I showed them. How incredible to see their desire for knowledge.

After updos, Maria taught blow drying and round brushing. In the horrible heat and terrible humidity. Again, Maria is doing all the hard work! Even in this heat the girls have not complained once! Its us whimpy Americans who are hating the heat.

This next month here in Brazil is going to be amazing. I can already tell…

Once again, I have the privilege of sharing knowledge with 20 ladies at 31 Bits. Today, we learned about chemical relaxing. On the grass they sat as I relaxed Agnes’s hair, one of the jewelry makers. When I learned her name, I told her Agnes was my grandmother’s name. After that all the women called her Grandma for the rest of the day!

As the class went on, their curiosity and interest peaked. It was so beautiful to me. The questions going back and forth from English to Luo, their native language, it was clear that they have a yearning for knowledge.

Knowing that running water is one of the few luxuries of Africa, we did what we could with what we had. That means we rinsed her hair with buckets of water. Four buckets to be exact. Janet poured the water while I took the relaxer out of her hair as Pamela and Jackie caught the water in an empty bucket below her head. It was a sight to see. Teamwork at its best!

Not once did I miss having a shampoo sink with warm running water with water pressure. Being able to be with these ladies teaching them how they will do hair in their own element was such an indescribable experience. Having them pay such close attention to every detail of my lecture was so much more rewarding than teaching on any platform in the States. They valued everything I said. They were grateful just to have knowledge.

In the 2 days I taught in Uganda, I learned so much about a culture of women I never thought I would meet. I have done hair for the seasonal catalogs and fashion shoots for 31 Bits in America for the past year and only heard about these incredible hardworking women. To have, not only the opportunity to meet them, but also to really get to know them and hear about their lives has been life-changing for me. Seeing such undeniable strength and diligence in women who have seen the world at its darkest is so inspirational.

Thank you, Kallie, for your vision and passion to help to lost, the hurting, and the suffering. These ladies have looked to you for so much support and you have given them so much more. You have empowered them to stand on their own. Independent. Strong. Courageous.

As we leave Uganda tomorrow, I am feeling more than ever like there is more work to do. I would love to come back here and continue the education of the lovely ladies. They are so determined. They are all so willing to learn. They all want so badly to be successful. And I want so badly for them to succeed!

In Kisses From Katie (a book that I think everybody should read!), Katie Davis talks about her life in the red dirt in Uganda. She says that everyday her life in Uganda has been filled with unforgettable experiences. Every day she has been there she experiences something heart-breaking, yet she has such a sense of fulfillment and purpose. In my 5 days there, I have a small understanding of how she feels. I know I am here to help women provide for their children in dignified way. I know that I am to make people aware about the injustices of this world. Whether they care or not, now they know. But, for me, knowing is not an action. I hope and pray that my friends and family and anyone else I meet at home understand that.

Griffin’s mommy is a jewelry maker at 31 Bits. Like so many in Africa, Griffin was a victim of the disease Malaria. Being homeless at the time, Griffin’s mother was unable to afford medication or even a mosquito net to protect them. As a result, this sweet boy now is mentally and physically delayed.

His mother is 18 and is pregnant with her second child. Of course, she has had concerns being that Griffin has special needs and requires most of her time and attention. However through the overwhelming support of her 110 sisters at 31 Bits, she will be able to care for Griffin and her new baby with plenty of help.

Kaylie and I played with him for hours and his smile warmed our hearts. Everyone at 31 Bits knows and loves his joyful spirit.

My mother has been a Special Education Teacher for about 40 years now and my brother and I have grown up in her classroom. She helped start the Disabilites Ministry at our church 30 years ago and it continues to thrive today. My brother and I share our mother’s love and passion for helping those with special needs. It’s funny how they seem to find me wherever I go. The grocery store, the mall, Starbucks, the Masai Mara in Kenya and in Gulu, Uganda…. And I love it.

At 31 Bits, everyday is “Bring Your Kids To Work” day! It is wonderful to see these precious little children laugh and play. When their mommies came to work here, many of them where malnourished and very sick. One of these cuties is named Gifty. That’s right, Gifty! And she is a gift. When her mother came to work at 31 Bits, she was a little less than a year old and was the size of a newborn. Now, she is a year and a half, walking, and very healthy. This is the case for almost all of the children here.

31 Bits has a chef who comes everyday and provides lunch for the ladies and their children. They are so appreciative that they can bring their children to work and feed them as well. So appreciative in fact, that some of these women have even named their children after the Americans who work with them. There are 3 Emilys and 1 Kallie running around the yard at 31 Bits!

In America children are named after relatives and people who have made a positive impact on our parents lives. What a honor to be named after someone who impacted their mother’s life in such a positive way. Emily and Kallie are not very popular names in Uganda. How incredible that years from now when these little girls are asked by their classmates and friends how they got their name they’ll be able to say a woman came from a place that is 10,000 miles away to give their family a chance at freedom and hope.

This is Kallie….

Her mother named after Kallie, the founder of 31 Bits. She is a beautiful little girl filled with so much joy, just like Kallie!