As Cruciform Life International Ministries began, the needs in the community Cruciform wished to help exceeded funding from donations. In order to bridge the deficit, CruciFORMED began. Artists in Uganda create a wide variety of beautiful artisan products. From handwoven baskets using designs passed down from mother to daughter to paper bead jewelry where each bead is meticulously rolled by hand to incredible eco-friendly designs made from Ankole long-horned cow horn, the ingenuity of Ugandan artists seems limitless. CruciFORMED connects American buyers to these amazing artists and their beautiful creations.
Every product purchased from CruciFORMED does twice the good. First, it provides a job for these talented artists. The majority of people we buy from are women who sorely need the work to pay rent and buy food for their children. If business is really good, they might even be able to afford school fees for their children. Where possible, CruciFORMED purchases directly from the artist to ensure a fair trade price is paid. Some products, such as the Ajuna jewelry and baskets from Uganda Crafts 2000, are bought at Fair Trade Certified small companies. In each instance, our president, Lori, has personally visited the worksite and often works directly with the artists to fine-tune designs to suit American preferences.
CruciFORMED then sells these items at retail locations, pop-up shops, church sales, craft fairs, online (www.cruciformed.cflim.org), or friend to friend. 100% of all proceeds goes right back into helping women, children, and other vulnerable persons in Bulenga, Uganda, by funding Cruciform Life International Ministries’ various programs.
