Artisan Voices: Q&A with Paulino
Posted by MADE51 Team on
Meet Paulino, one of the artisans that worked on the limited edition of refugee-made keychains UNIQLO released in June in honor of World Refugee Day.
The UNHCRxUNIQLO #WithRefugees Keychains were beaded by forcibly displaced women in Kenya and South Sudan. The design brought together the colors of UNIQLO and UNHCR, representing the organization’s longstanding partnership.
To coordinate the production of this collaborative product, we worked with our local partners, Bawa Hope in Kenya and Roots in South Sudan. Over 135 refugee women completed thousands of pieces of beading.
We were honored that some of the women working on the order shared their stories and reflected on the ways that artisanal work positively impacts their lives.
Among these women is Paulino, an 18 year-old who is originally from Uganda and currently living in Kenya.
Can you tell us a little about how you ended up in Kenya?
I am from a small village in Kabong, Uganda. I came to Kenya in the year 2021, I was alone by the time I arrived. From Kabong to Kenya, I came by foot, a distance that took me a day and a half. I settled in Kalobeyei Village one as a refugee and have lived here since then. My younger sibling letter followed me and was then married. I currently live with my siblings and my husband.
What was your occupation in your country of origin?
While still back home, I was a young farmer. I started working as a farmer when I was 13 years old and had no chance of going to school. Here in Kalobeyei, I enrolled in this initiative that has been supporting me in terms of livelihood.
After every project, we are paid per keychain one is able to make...This money has been supporting me and my family and carters for food and some basic needs at home.
What is the skill you used in making these pieces and how did you learn it?
When I joined the program, I was first trained by Madam Esther from Don Bosco. She showed us how the keychains are made...but that was not enough for a first timer, so I carried on by learning further from our seniors, those women who had been in the system ahead of me.
I ask them questions if there is something I need to know and also watch how they do their work. That is how I became so good at this beading. Some women make less than 3 keychains a day, but I would make up to 10 keychains a day.
Photo: UNHCR/ L Ghaisen
What is it like to work as part of a group of artisans on these large orders?
To be honest, working by myself hasn’t been better compared to working in a group with my colleagues. Most of the times when I am alone, I get lazy to work towards my targets and might end up producing a smaller number of keychains in a day. But with a group I get the morale when I see the others working hard. I also get to learn from them as well. If there is something that is difficult for me, I would simply ask them.
Photo: UNHCR/ L Ghaisen
What is your dream?
My dream was to be able to go to school and get educated like other girls that I see around me and on TV, but it hasn’t been easy. I was not able to join school. But right now, I am still hoping I would get a chance to go to school and learn, that is my dream.
Photo: UNHCR/ L Ghaisen
Is there a message you would like to send to the people who will buy the keychain?
For the people who create this for women like myself to get an opportunity to work, I pray that God will give you more to continue helping the people who are vulnerable, and that you achieve all your goals.
