Kampala, Uganda

Partners since 2010

About

Ajuna African Style shares an intricately connected history with Noonday Collection. Jalia Matovou dreamed of using her craft to feed her own family–and to create opportunities for the other families she saw struggling in her community. It was then that she met Noonday founder Jessica Honegger, who dreamed of funding her family’s adoption from Rwanda–and creating a global marketplace that would help keep families together. And today, those dreams have become a beautiful reality.

In partnership with Noonday, Jalia has grown her business to provide fair work to hundreds of local assemblers and bead-rollers over the years. Many of the Artisans Jalia has trained have gone on to start other businesses of their own.

  • Kampala, Uganda

    Uganda is a central African nation the size of Oregon (with 10 times the population). It is a highly diverse country with 30 ethnic groups and 40 languages, as well as a vibrant community of immigrants. Known for its natural beauty, Uganda is often referred to as “The Pearl of Africa.” The country’s rift valley basin is home to many diverse animal and plant species, and 23% of its land is set aside as wildlife reserves to protect them.

Flourishing World Initiative Grant Recipient

  • A library grant from Noonday has helped create literary opportunities for the community.
  • Prior to COVID - 19, Noonday partnered with Ajuna to create a community day care where children can be safe and cared for.
  • Water filters funded through a Flourishing World Initiative grant enabled Artisans to enjoy safe drinking water in their homes.
  • During the COVID - 19 pandemic, a Flourishing World Initiative grant provided aid for food and workshop operating expenses that helped bridge the gap for Artisan families.

Stories of Flourishing

  • Mama Sham
    Mama Sham was one of Ajuna’s very first Artisans and is a pillar of the workshop. Years ago, this resilient woman lost her husband and began working at construction sites carrying heavy bricks to support her children. This resulted in a neck injury that ca used her chronic pain. But today, things look very different for Mama Sham. At the workshop, she has a safe job she can rely on. And with a grant from Noonday, she was finally able to have surgery on her spinal cord, and is enjoying life without pain for the first time in years.
  • Doreen
    Around the workshop, Doreen is known for her hardworking and positive attitude. Since she was hired in 2016, her work has enabled her to support her family in important ways, such as paying for her mothe r’s blood pressure medication every week. Her job has also brought support during her hardest times. Last year, Doreen experienced a severe depression after her four - day - old baby suddenly passed away. But her workshop family refused to let her walk throu gh the experience alone. Together, they provided the support she needed to begin healing. Today, Doreen carries the experience with her – but it doesn’t define her. She is moving forward, and looking toward a more hopeful future.

In the making…