Mama Kazi was born in April 2009 when two friends, Mrs, Charlotte Kainerugaba (married to Commander Special forces, Lt.Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba) and Capt. Edith Nakalema (married to Capt. Jimmy Asizua) believed that if army wives were mobilized to work together, they could help themselves solve the social and economic issues they face. The first idea that came to mind was to start a recycled paper bead project with the help of Mr. Sanaa, a master at the craft, who would ensure that the women would produce paper beads of quality that could be transformed into jewelry, handbags, hats, album covers and a host of other products.

The idea was then introduced to Major S.M. Sabiti (Commander of PGB at the time) who was pleased with it. He handed the matter over to Major Johnson Namanya (who took over from him), who has kept it as a priority welfare matter, offering financial assistance to kick-start the project.

Brigade Political Commisar (BPC) Major Julius Kaganda along with the PCs in all of the PGB's units and the Brigade Welfare Officer (BWO) Major Esau Mugira, then assisted in mobilizing the women to be trained. Staff Sgt. Theopista Kisembo, a long serving non commisioned officer (NCO), became coordinator of MAMA KAZI bead project. She is permanently with the women and handles communication matters between the MAMA KAZI women and the brigade.

There are approximately 1500 women/wives registered with the PGB and spread over five barracks located in Entebbe, Kololo and Nakasero. Mr. Sanaa agreed to train 120 women for two weeks at a fee of US$ 180 per day.

The training commenced on The 15th of July 2009 and ended on the 30th of July with 154 women

(34 others joined as the classes went on) graduating. A simple event was organised at the Muzinga Park in Entebbe, where the women displayed what they had learnt to make during those two weeks. The Chief guest at the function, Commander Special forces Lt.Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, being very impressed with the project's progress, praised the women for their achievements and gave them 'One Million Shillings' as a personal contribution. Also present at the function were representatives from the Mayor's office and the Air Force. This event was captured by the media and as a result, we have recieved a number of individuals and institutions interested in our products and the noble cause of MAMA KAZI.

By early September 2009, the 154 women had trained a further 46 women to become quality bead makers and the number of women has grown to 200. Mr. Sanaa - from August to September 2009) worked with 74 of these 200 women, to help them develop a small cottage industry where they use the beads to produce products like hats, necklaces, bags, album covers, and other decor materials.

HOW IT WORKS.

The beads are made out of recycled paper which the women hand roll at home and deliver to the collection center. Here the beads are sorted and turned into eco-friendly artifacts by the army wives stationed at the center. The women are paid as soon as their beads are delivered and sorted for quality control. The ladies that turn the beads into the finished product are also paid per finished item.

MAMA KAZI products are to be sold locally and in foreign markets through agents. We are able to satisfy customized orders and sell individually packaged beads in kilograms.

The profits made from MAMA KAZI products are re-invested into toeh association to cover administrative and training costs for other army wives.

MAMA KAZI is determined to transform the lives of army wives and their families across Uganda.

OTHER PROJECTS WE INTEND TO PROVIDE:

1. Financial management training programs.
    These programs will be introduced at different intervals as we progress, with the intention of equipping the women     with the ability to manage their incomes wisely.

2. Life skills training programs.
    These programs will also be introduced at different intervals with an intention of educating the women on helpful     lessons on the proper care of families, home and environment. They will inlude subjects such as nutrition, hygiene,     e.t.c.

WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH

MAMA KAZI through its current bead project, financial management training programs, life skills training programs and other projects and programs intends to enable the army wives to:

1. Contribute financially to the needs of their homes, children, and their own needs. This will be achived through helping them maximise their entrepreneurial abilities plus equipping them to exercise wise financial management.
2. Have a form of employment eliminating the menace of idle time.

We believe through the bead project alone, we shall achieve the following measurable objectives:

1. 200 to 250 army wives who previously had no income source shall now have an earning of up to 100,000/+ per month and 1,200,000/= per year.
2. Better income with personal financial management training and life skills empowerment should translate into the ability for these mothers to provide better diets for the children, better schools, better homes and better clothing.

OUR NEED:

MAMA KAZI seeks to raise USD 60,000 to meet its immediate investment and operational needs. This money is to be used to upgrade the MAMA KAZI Center and equip it plus meet training budgets and other administrative and miscellaneous expenses.

We project that we shall use about USD 47,000 to upgrade the MAMA KAZI center and take care of otherr capital investment costs while USD 13,000 shall meet short term operational costs which shall be boosted by the sale of our products. MAMA KAZI expects to be self sustaining within 12 months.