International Program

– Uzuri Wa Kweli -


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The History

In June 2011, Reel Beauty, Inc., launched its first international program, “Uzuri Wa Kweli” in Tanzania, Africa, at the Uzima Centre with 30 girls. We took our 10-week curriculum and translated it into the native Swahili language and implemented our workshops with 15 girls. The program since has been facilitated with 30 girls. In 2014, our Founder, Deida Massey, visited the Uzima Center and while there, spoke to the girls about their goals and how to become a positive impact within their village. In addition, sponsors from the Global Health Initiative at the University of Chicago and countless volunteers collected hygienic items to give to the girls while in Africa.

During Deida’s travel, she made both home and school visits in Mwanza. The most alarming concern for Deida was the distance the girls traveled from home to school. As a result, Deida used the Bongo Bead Project as a way to raise funds to support the girls at the Uzima Center and their transportation needs. The Bongo Beads are handmade paper beads made by orphans at the Uzima Center to help pay both their school and travel expenses.

Reel Beauty has partnered with the Uzima Center and the Bongo Bead Project to increase awareness on education and provide funding for our girls in Mwanza. In addition, Reel Beauty assists youth culturally with issues surrounding self-esteem and self-confidence. Through our program, we have remedied great efficacy by proven outcomes where systematically girls are affected due to harsh discipline tactics in school. We reach this goal through our workshops Heart II Heart and The “It” Factor. These programs have helped our girls in Africa with identifying their beauty within and with identifying issues that culturally affect their self-esteem. Reel Beauty efforts and initiatives have been successful and also have provided hope to the youth in Mwanza.

The Bongo Beads are handmade beads by Tanzanian high school students who are orphans.  Our Reel Beauty girls hand make these beads every Saturday at the Uzima Centre in Mwanza Tanzania to help pay for their education and transportation to school.  Please purchase your beads today to support our girls in Africa.  Thank you for your support.  To learn more about the bongo bead project go to: www.uzimactr.wordpress.com

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What’s so incredible behind these beads?

The Bongo Beads are handmade beads by Tanzanian high school students who are orphans.  Our Reel Beauty girls hand-make these beads every Saturday at the Uzima Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania to help pay for their education and transportation to school.

Provide support and BUY! 

 
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The Legacy

The ultimate goal is to continue the work Reel Beauty provides at the Uzima Center for years to come. Deida’s recent visit in December 2017 in the village where the girls reside provided her a closer look at the needs of each family. During her home visits, she discovered one girl whose family’s roof on their home was damaged due to harsh storms. Deida and her husband provided monetary assistance to have their roof repaired.

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In addition, one family was in need of urgent financial assistance due to medical bills as a result of a stroke one of the girls experienced. Again, Deida provide financial assistance to build a grill to help bring extra income in for the family. Last, Reel Beauty donated money to have a water valve turned on to provide water in the village. It is important that when she visits annually, she can provide for whatever the needs are to the youth and their families who live in the village.

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The Message

Deida’s message is to reach and impact not only the youth at the Uzima Center, but throughout the continent. Currently, Deida is developing relationships with members of The Executive Committee for the World Economic Forum. With the help of the government, Deida hopes to partner with dignitaries and other organizations to assist with the social and political economics of girls and women.