MUDHUT101

Mudhut101 Workshops

2012-02-11T22:30:00.000-08:00

Mudhut101 workshops are coming soon.

All details will be posted here.

Christmas gifts worth giving...

2011-12-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Top Gifts for Christmas 2011

Thinking of worthwhile gifts to give this Christmas.

....Affordable and worth so much more than that mass produced generic item found on the super store shelf labelled 'Gifts for Mum'

Think on a rare and dark essence of tuberose, violets and amber and other beautiful and ethically sourced ingredients...

Shop before the 20th of December 2011 to get in time for Xmas.
Please see bellow my selected favorites all on one page.

Ok so here goes the festive list...

Sharon is the UK mzuribeads rep, and she runs her own store

Miss Beau Bangles

Here you will find some items made from Mzuribeads and lots of other ethically sourced materials in her store.

For 10% OFF just enter the voucher code "xmas 2011" at checkout

then click "recalculate" All items come in a pretty jewellery pouch.

Shearer Candles

The best candles in world - but you all know that.. check out top seller Amber Noir.

Alicorn Soap Shop

Where you can buy a superb gift which comes in a beautifully presented gift box. All items handmade by my close friend Laura using beautiful smelling oils and natural ingredients.

Johari Kenya

They have just launched their home ware collection.
You can also find some of our beads in a brass jewellery collection at the accessories section of their site.

Trafalgar Square Anti War Demo

2011-10-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

Stop the War Coalition

On Saturday the 8th of October, 2011 I bumped into some of my fellow Scottish activists in Trafalgar Square for the Anti war mass assembly.

Marking the 10th year anniversary of the Afghanistan war. Names of 120 servicemen were announced and black balloons released in remembrance.

After an array of motivating speakers we marched down to Downing street to express some of our demands.

Cut war not welfare.

Stop the war.

Disability led arts

2011-09-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

Public Bodies, Hidden Histories:

Yesterday I paid a visit to Shape Londons' disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people. I arrange my visit before I dropped round and scheduled with one of there staff to view their current exhibition.

Disability on Display

Portraits from the Royal College of Physicians

The exhibition incorporated a 10 min video which featured highlights from a panel discussion. I found the video educational and empowering. 27 people talked about the 17th -19th century portraits of disabled people which are exhibited on the surrounding walls. The participants were themselves disabled and many important issues came to rise. Such as who makes the choices, how one feels when their body is displayed for medical research, the lack of people with disablities in creative job positions, ie directors, writers and producers.

Reading and listening to people analyzing these old artworks sparked numerous questions in myself about how I and everyone around me views and embraces difference in society today. In particular whether our society fully encourages and welcomes the personal choice of a person with disability.

I encourage everyone to go see.

This is exhibition is on till Wednesday the 28^th of September, 6:30 - 8:00.

Details HERE to arrange a viewing.

Written by Kirstie Maclean

Art and Anti - Cuts

2011-08-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

Active Inquiry Newsgroup Workshop

in collaboration with

UNISON Anti-cuts, MOBILISE festival
Edinburgh

Active Inquiry offered us yet another energetic workshop which allowed us to physically and emotionally engage with recent issues in the news.

However, this was a slightly special event for it was integrated with the

'Mobilise' political (anti cuts) festival .

The main focus of our drama workshop was on the recent riothttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=945072232198355292s in London.

A full low down of our efforts with pictures can be viewed at http://activeinquiry.co.uk/blog/?p=106#comment-1908.

Following the we were encouraged to stay and enjoy homemade soup and a coffee whilst relishing in the motivating messages and music delivered by Banner Theatres amazing 1st of May band.

Post by Kirstie Maclean

The coolest accessory shop in Uganda

2011-07-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

SoKo

Mudhut101 jewellery was exhibited this weekend at SoKo an event held by Nadia Bhegani in Kampala. "soKo" originates from the Kiswahili word "Sokoni" meaning market/place. The event was super, with loads of super gifts and accessories for sale. Including Awava giftware, Kikapu baskets, Mudhut101 jewellery,Sanaa Gateja's art gifts, and of course Soko accessories.

Furaha founder of Kikapu wearing her Mudhut101 necklace.

Handmade by myself, Kirstie MacLean from cow horn, recycled paper and barkcloth Mzuribeads.http://www.mzuribeads.com/

Kikapu baskets with attitude and Definition funky Ugandan T shirts on sale at Soko

Myself, Kirstie Maclean sporting the earrings and bracelet I bought from Soko and a must have Kikapu basket.

soKo works with a collaboration of artists creating unique works of art in the form of accessories. Our designs range from earthy African delights to more contemporary, artsy and quirky pieces from around the world.

There will be more SoKo events taking place in Kampala Uganda.

Follow them on facebook.

6 months in Ndejje, Uganda

2011-07-17T03:27:00.000-07:00

DEPARTURE

Anthropology
( /ænθrɵˈpɒlədʒi/) is the study of humanity

I'm in my final month of this long trip here in Uganda, living amongst the producers and living in Uganda like a Ugandan. I wanted to write this sooner rather than later as not to forget things and ensure I am expressing honestly. When I began writing about Ndejje life earlier this year, I was under the impression that I may have carried on writing similar posts throughout my stay. I realise why this did not happen. Everything else I would have would have wished to communicate about my world here would have been psychological and emotional. As I am not an experienced writer, I found this too challenging. I explained the day to day physical aspects of living this life, and really that was that, there has been no washing machine brought in, any plaques or natural disasters to report on...so, once you cover the basics everyday seems somewhat unexciting.

So let me just briefly reflect on my trip.

Apologizing to goats, bathing with a bucket under a banana leaf tree, chasing chickens, slipping into flooded pot holes, lifting those heavy ass jerry cans, loosing my keys and plenty of shillings down the latrine....Endless nights without electricity...standing in the dark blind, because your colleagues have taken all your candles. (Who later find amusement at how my untrained western eyes had me bumping into walls, tables and chairs, before I finally locating a path out). Enjoying the company of at least three geckos and the odd giant flying cockroach in my room throughout the night...Far from those first days where a small insect would bite my bum, surprise me into a energetic leap, pulling down my mosquito net and have me spinning around the room, caught and fighting my way out of it, whilst shouting revenges at the little devil. It was always an ant, and they are everywhere...If I jumped every time one nipped me, I'd...well I would not have lasted ...that's for sure. And then there was the time I sat in my managers house, and a small mouse approached my legs, which made me jump and land back on my internet USB stick, which broke and had to be explained, replaced and laughed about with the manager at Orange. I do feel generally lucky though, having friends who have been here for far shorter trips and woken up with a cockroach on their cheek, and a screeching fanged bat in their sleep net... I mean, I never had anything like that.

Anyway, stepping away from the natural niceties....what will I miss? Of course those long winded and humorous, 'lost in translation' moments. I know I will not miss being shouted at repetitively every morning by over thirty odd children as I walk, feeling like a celebrity, to the local shop.. People never have or will get used to me here, and I am glad I will relieve them of all that energy they conjure up each morning to remind me how different I am ...I do greatly appreciate my colleagues for keeping my life so tidy and teaching me on ways to physically survive in this swamp...and for ensuring that I only have one or two small visitors per day. It is poor luck that I am not used to communicating with children, as the majority of folk here are below one metre tall...But I managed... well I think they generally got to know that I was rather boring.. and found another dirty bike tyre far more amusing. I will, however, miss Bene, my 6 year old managers son, for we have had some fun dancing in my room, distructing radios, and many heated discussions over why some of my belongings being spotted in the neighbouring compounds /:

The thought of being in a baby free environment is simply bliss, I have reached the point here, where it feels like there is not a moment when some little dude is screaming the world away. I will call it a village now, an urban village would be correct, but let's face it, it is a village. Last night I did the usual side balancing act on the back of a boda boda (motorbike) all the way home, and the driver turns to me and says.. "But, eh!... I have never reached this side... IT IS A VILLAGE!" so it's official. The rough terrain we endure mirrors that of 'off road' / mountainside paths....Put Ndejje in the centre of New York or out in the highlands of Scotland and the feeling will no doubt remain the same. For the community will always have a local bar, which is some one's front room which opens their door whenever you decide you are thirsty, whose people take satisfaction at the thought of full day washing clothes, who repetitively threaten to beat the misbehaved youth, but never really do, so will continue using this ineffective method of discipline for eternity.

Yes, I could go on to identify what makes Ndejje, Ndejje.. but really I will never expect anyone to truly get it if they have not lived here. For deep down it is the mentality of the people that make you feel how you feel here. I would be blatantly dishonest to say that is has a warm and soft centered, as this is a country that was once colonised by a bunch of dangerously religious and tunnel visioned Internationals. Furthermore, Uganda close remembers it's terrors from civil war which has built them a cold hard shell. Personally, I have experienced true loneliness here, and if I had not bored the ears belonging to a couple of good western friends here, I would have got somewhat lost in my frustrations.

Nevertheless , I have slept well most nights in my one padlocked bead workshop, without any of those typical International requirements for tall barbed wired compound walls, dogs, and sleeping security guards. I understand my neighbours to have digested my tough and independent nature, but I have noticed when some people have gone out of there way to watch my space when a lingering thief is rumored. And I have much enjoyed relaxing and giggling with the neighbours youngsters and laughing at some of my ridiculous western behaviour with the ladies as the sun goes down.

By Kirstie Maclean

Founder of Mzuribeads

Art meets Jewellery

2011-06-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Wear or Dare

Art meets Jewellery

Afriart Gallery

Kampala

The launch of my MUDHUT 101 jewllery line and Artwork was held along with with Peter Corry's glass work on friday the 17th at Afriart Gallery in Kampala. Super turn out, and much support for my work shown through sales. Thank you everyone who attended, I am so glad some people of Kampala are now adorned with their own marvelous materials.

Kirstie MacLean,
Mudhut 101 artist & designer.
Founder & Director of Mzuribeads

Abic Lenny & Me, Kirstie MacLean

with my now SOLD piece 'Attention'

made from brass and Mzuribeads

TEAM BEAD

Abic Lenny (brass), Peter Corry (glass),

Me, Kirstie MacLean & Vincent(cow horn)

Myself, Kirstie with Gloria Wavamunno (Fashion designer)

A MUDHUT 101 bracelet

Myself, Kirstie MacLean with
Daudi Karungi (Afriart Curator & Artist)

Myself, Kirstie and my Mzuribeads colleagues.
Edith, Project manager, Theopista & Zitume.

365 days ... of celebrating Art.

2011-06-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

The 5th LaBa

Street Art Festival in Kampala, Uganda

Me, Kirstie MacLean and my sculpture.

Promoting my Art Jewelry exhibition

"Wear or Dare"

on the 17th June, 2011, 6pm at the Afriart Gallery

featuring Mzuribeads

Mudhut Jewellery on sale

2011-05-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

This month My Little Mudhut jewellery collection went on sale at the following two stores.

Ganesha

Covent Garden, London

3 + 4 Gabriel's Wharf, London

http://www.ganesha.co.uk/

Trashilicious

Online only: http://www.trashilicious.com/

This collection is handmade from barkcloth, banana leaf, cow horn and recycled paper Mzuribeads.

Bellow are some of the designs that went off...

More designs can be viewed HERE

All enquiries to Kirstie at info@mzuribeads.com

'A country's greatest asset is it's youth' say KIBO

2011-05-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

Last friday I was invited to deliver a talk to KIBO Foundation, Kampala. I covered how to effectively use search engines and google analytics, how to start a blog, and the use of social networking sites for business. Those who attended were a mix of current students, post graduates and others with a range of different interests. Their level of know how and experience on the topics discussed were varied. Nevertheless, KIBO is an IT grounded school, so everyone had basic knowledge and once I put some questions out to them, they came back at me with many many more.

KIBO's practical and hands on approach to learning has clearly attracted a bunch of self motivated and enthusiastic Ugandans. At their social event, which they invited me to on the friday before last, I witnessed students using their musical talents to raise money for one of their outreach projects. Outreach projects are part of the curriculum for a student at KIBO. To contribute to the community in some way, either to help a local enterprise improve their customer service, or raise money for an orphanage. We talked with students about helping the producers become more involved in the business side of Mzuribeads, and the opportunities we have available in ways of work for some of those interests in online and local marketing. I look forward to building a stronger relationship with KIBO...I'll keep you informed.

The slideshow from the talk can be

VIEWED HERE

Written by Kirstie MacLean, director of Mzuribeads.

Ndejje and beyond

2011-05-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

Our Beautiful Neighborhood

Was away on the other side of town for a while, taking a break from Ndejje, and it's luxurious lifestyle (:

(where I work with Mzuribeads, Ugandan paper beaders)

Came back on Monday, little refreshed, so went out for a village stroll.

Here's some pictures to share with you

Spot Me!

Visor Vision

2011-03-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

The craziest place to put a sticker?

A large stick on jesus in the centre of a public taxi drivers windscreen in Kampala.

Talk about putting your life in the hands of the lord!

...insane

My Little Mudhut runway collection

2011-03-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

MZURIBEADS JEWELLERY AT CLUB SILKS FASHION NIGHT

A runway collection of My Little Mudhut jewellery, designed by Kirstie MacLean, featured at Club Silk's fashion night, Kampala. The range accompanied Stella Atal's latest swimwear collection.

Here are some pictures I took on rehearsals.

More pics can be seen HERE.

A mixed necklace using Mzuribeads : barkcloth, recycled paper, cow horn, banana leaf, recycled glass and Kenyan ceramic Kazuri beads.

...Many bright, big, coloured earrings

Big Banana leaf wings, adorned with Mzuribeads

A statement piece - An exclusive long barkcloth bead hung on pink ribbon and gold chain.

Recycled Paper Nail Extentions

UG CREATIVES

2011-02-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Oh Uganda

Artastic and Inspirational

As soon as I got settled in the village of Ndejje last weekend, I have been full of inspiration. And, I simply couldn't wait to touch base with my favorite artists here. My first stop, Stella Atal's art and fashion studio, where I did a shoot for her new collection. The results were stunning, as the clothes and models were jaw dropping- gorgeous.

Pictures released soon, watch this space.

Here is a sneek behind the scene shot

Stella fitting the model into her new RECYCLED WONDERWEAR.

Next stop, The Bead Kind - Mr Sanaa Gatega & his group - Kwetu Africa on the other side of town, which is always a gust of fresh air. Out of the dusty Kampala and up on the suburban Lubowa hill. I went to catch up, and purchase some BARKCLOTH and BANANA LEAF BEADS for a few statement pieces I am making to accompany Stella's outfits on her February show.

written by Kirstie MacLean

Aprire - printmaking at the Trongate

2010-12-15T23:01:00.000-08:00

ASPIRE

Last Monday night my friend and I went to Project Abilities Social Night 6 - 8pm at Trongate 103. It was great fun to meet all the artists, who joined us in the etching and printmaking workshop. Next week we will return for my friend, Natasha to finish her Christmas art pieces which she aims to finish and frame for family gifts. As with the Sharmanka Theatre, Trongate 102 has provided the perfect space for Project Abilities 'ASPIRE' workshop. Beautifully spacious and well equipt with artist library and kitchen/cafe facilities. Natasha looks forward to applying for an 8 week session of ASPIRE'S visual arts workshop programme for adults with learning disabilities. It is due to start up in mid January, and will include painting, ceramics, glasswork, the chance to meet more friends, and more...

Written by Kirstie MacLean

Mzuribeads..Mzuribeads...

2010-12-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

Who is the fairest of them all?

The Fairtrade foundation previously suggested that buyers pay the producers 40% of the full sales price. Mzuribeads, an ethical bead business pay each Ugandan producer the 40% or more. The Fairtrade foundation does not state this anymore, but standard is set on sustainability; things like long term contracts , see HERE for more details.

http://www.mzuribeads.com/

As we are selling and marketing a new product, we have no figures to follow by people in similar trade. For example, we cannot copy the work of fair trade coffee and food producers. Therefore, we have marked the beads at the highest price we can sell them for, so that the producers 40% is as high as we can achieve for them. By putting a high price on the beads, we attract wholesale, offering them good discounts on large orders. This in turns attracts wholesale customer loyalty - achieving a high chance for the customer to return to us, which in turns results to more consistent sales and sustainable future. For example, in knowing that our customers are likely to return, we can continue to purchase regularly from the producers = long term contracts.

What is even more important to Mzuribeads than a fair wage is our business model.

We aim to have the producers at one day, run the business on their own. We believe that the business is doomed to fail if the workers are not in charge of the style, speed and method of doing business. I am not Ugandan, I do not share the same values. It would not be in the producers best interest should I decide whether the business should seek to make 'X' amount of profit by the year 2013. It is for the people to set their own values and model. This will achieve a respected and loyal, dedicated workforce, and the drive to take the business into whatever they vision as a more successful position. Since now, I have only be responding to what I initially asked the producers..

'What do you need?'

They told me they needed a market, and this is what I found using the internet. Since securing long term customers, we can predict next year sales, which enables our 4 month training programme to begin in January. As we have no additional funding as yet, this programme will initially involve, only myself going out to train the women, who so wish, to in managerial, communication and sales skills. However, it is the first step we are taking to really begin to empower the cooperative, redirecting responsibilities within the business, so the producers take a fully active interest and role in the future of their business.

I am the present director of Mzuribeads, an ethical bead business, aiming to generate income for the producers through the sale of innovative beads. However, to me personally, Mzuribeads not about the beads, but to become an important business role model.

Designed and respected by the people it aims to support.

Marking the end to dependency, flourishing things like, a greater respect for the local materials and artistic talent, and encouraging independent thought.

Mzuribeads are implementing a Communications and Cooperative training programme with the members in January to April 2011. We are looking for volunteers. If you share our values and want to help out and meet the beaders, please get in touch info@mzuribeads.com

Community and mutual ownership: a historical review

Although not directly connected, those who found this of interest, may also enjoy this RSA talk ; reasons behind giving.

Written by Kirstie MacLean

Film Documentary Fund

2010-12-05T03:59:00.000-08:00

MILDRED & EDITH
Read all about our documentary promoting creative ideas for long term development and sustainable enterprise.

Visit mildredandedith.com

In February 2011, Mzuribeads intend to produce a documentary with a Glaswegian producer named Martin. This short film takes you into the making of our recycled beads, and our journey so far. By showing the finished film in African film festivals, art centers and events in the UK and beyond, we aim to promote the importance of innovative ideas and fair trade as a tool for building self sufficient, sustainable projects.

Written by Kirstie Maclean
Director of Mzuribeads
Contact: info@mzuribeads.com

WAR WAR WAR

2010-11-23T00:33:00.000-08:00

The eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month……….

This precise moment has now changed to remembrance weekend.

Football teams are sporting poppies on their jerseys,

TV presenters start wearing the poppy in August,

and everywhere you are reminded how the troops are doing such a good job; they are our hero’s.

One clear message; remember those who have fallen in past wars and present. Remember those that have fought for your freedom.

It’s a clear message and at first glance, a very patriotic one. It gives you a strong sense of pride.

In this blog, I will try and uncover a few simple truths.

The idea behind Remembrance Day was a simple statement- NEVER AGAIN. We can not allow hundreds and thousands of young men and women to die in another war. That was 1918.

This statement has been abused constantly, Young people are sent off time and time again. This time it is Afghanistan, troops fighting the Taliban. The Taliban that has cut its ties with al Qaida, a Taliban force that is winning; gaining ground and has the support of its people. That is not to say that the people like the Taliban, but they are certainly more attractive than foreign troops. They don’t fly over in their jets and drones and bomb schools, houses and hospitals for example.

As Mohammad Asif of the Afghan Society says,

‘It’s always the people of Afghanistan that defeat foreign invaders.’

The Politian’s know this, but they see only oil pipelines and strategic geographic landmarks. They are prepared to let hundreds die in another pointless war.

If YOU WANT TO SEE NO MORE DEATHS, STOP THE WAR

By killing more innocent civilians in the Middle East (troops are still in Iraq, bombing more areas and killing more innocent people) we are increasing the hatred of the west. It’s giving terrorist organisations an easy recruitment ride.

An 17 year old boy, lost all his family, no house, no job, no education…no hope…nothing to loose

I am not justifying terrorism; I am trying to understand it.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE UK SAFER, STOP THE WAR

Not only it is racist, it is a crime only to remember a few hundred British soldiers when hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives.

A friend recently said to me, I support the troops, but I don’t support the war. How can you do that I ask. It is not their fault; they are just carrying out orders, she replies.

When you make a choice or carry out an action, I think you have to face the responsibly that results from that action.

If you kill a farmer in a field or kill a child carrying a heavy load approaching a check point, you have to live with that action.

Soldiers have been given the licence to kill but it doesn’t hide the fact of Murder. Killing a person because they are suspected to be the enemy is no excuse.

Supporting the troops is supporting what they do; and that supports the war.

Many people will say I am disrespecting all those that have fallen. But I am an anti war activist. I am trying to stop the war and stop others happening in the future. I am loyal to the statement. NEVER AGAIN.

Supporting troops in an unjust war gives backing to more killing.

On the 11/11/11, we should march, march against the war and put an end to the killing. That is not disrespecting those that have died, its making sure it never happens again

A theatrical weekend

2010-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

INTERIORS

by Vanishing Point

Last week we went to see the performance of Interiors at the Tramway, Glasgow. The play was the perfect balance... many something's to offer everyone. I simply ordered my friends to go... "Cannot be missed - Go!!"' It seemed we all warmed with at least one or more characters, and still find ourselves giggling when remembering the outrageously humorous kareoke and dance routines. A play set in silence. You outside a house looking into a dinner party through a window. What a clever and effective setting. No matter if your a theatre lover or not... you'll simply adore the rollorcoaster of emotions this play takes you on.

IMPRINTS
by Nux Dance Company

I woke up on Saturday morning looking very much forward to the first performance I had scheduled during the 2010 Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. It was a theatrical contemporary dance piece composed by four talented individuals. An actor, dancer, musician and sound designer. The piece accustomed you to the routine of a young couple as they return each day from work to their flat. But after some time, things begin to change as the women gradually displays symptoms of dementia. The piece was followed by an energetic and thought provoking discussion. I simply can't wait for this weekend to attend some of the other fab exhibitions and interactive events held throughout this festival....and just meet many more inspiring individuals. Imprints was shown at the CCA on Sat 2nd October, 2010

by Kirstie MacLean

Aid Agencies- Do they even scratch the surface?

2010-10-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I watched the Lazarus effect, a short film from the organisation RED (designed to eliminate AIDS in Africa) at the take one action film festival in Edinburgh.

The film was all about one message, all you need is ARV’s (Anti-retroviral Drugs) and you will be ok. The film showed people with HIV, who before taking the drugs, were very ill. Now they were on medication- they have a bright future.

FACT

ARV’s and other HIV medication are vital to combat the virus in the body. Without treatment, the virus slowly kills off the body’s immune system and leaves it opens for Bacteria such as TB to completely take over.

If only it were that simple though………..

First of all, drugs are not the number one essential requirement; Positive lifestyle is.

Fresh clean water
Exercise and fresh air
A balanced diet-high in fruit and vegetables

With out these things, your immune system will not get the proper supplements to function properly.

This point reminds me of the film Food Inc. The documentary that tracts the food we find on our supermarket shelves to their origin. A person with a bad diet gets an infection of their kidneys. They go to the doctor and they get prescribed drugs to cure the illness. They continue their unhealthy lifestyle and one year later get heart pains. They go to the doctor and get more medication. This goes on for years as the medication builds up. Not only they continue destroying their body with bad food, the medication has many side affects, damaging vital organs.

What I am trying to say is; treating your body well is the most important factor.

The Lazarus effect does show that support from the community is important and the general awareness of certain issues. But because it shows the ARV’s as a kind of miracle; all the other factors fade into the background.

Most HIV medication is produced by western pharmaceutical companies. They have proved to be profit driven corporations by refusing to sell drugs at an affordable cost.

The western governments have slowly honoured a fraction of their commitments, and now as the film advocates, thousands of people are getting free medication.

But it’s not enough, never enough to even slow the death rate in African countries. The western governments hold the key; they run the World Bank and the IMF, (international monetary fund) who in turn control the Third world economies.

The AID agencies by playing to the corporations and governments rules never challenge the system. The despotic leaders in African states are dependent on the percentages they get from deals from the IMF. They also negotiate with the international charities and benefit from their presence. It is all an on going abuse of the people and their communities. The IMF, western governments, corporations and African leaders all prey on poor communities. I strongly believe the AID agencies are part of the problem.

AID agencies are so bound by legal documents; they are so scared to say anything. And I love the statement; we have no wish to comment on political issues. The counter argument is that they have to conform because if they didn’t, no AID would get to the people. More people would die.

The system never changes, the suffering continues. The reasons why governments don’t like organisations or individuals to think or talk about politics is because that is the way to challenge the system.

Imagine the individuals in the film with access to real education. What I mean about real education is awareness of rights, legislation that effect their lives and positive actions they can take to change the unbalanced system.

We need individuals to get into politics, to get active. There I think is the basis for real change. The AID agencies by towing the line don’t even touch the real problems, if they started analyzing the system and polices, maybe they could do some good work.

POSITIVE LIVING

A GOOD HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
ACTIONS TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN LIFE

A lesson regarding development

2010-10-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

Imagine a scenario in a classroom involving a pupil, who has a learning disability, and an orderly teacher. The teacher is a very good teacher, she has patience and understanding. But she likes things done in a correct manor; adhering to the rules of society. During one lesson, the pupils have to write down what they spend their money on and how much per week they spend on each item. A very good idea, everybody can explore the world of budgeting.

Nearing the end of the lesson, the teacher comes round to inspect the work of the pupil. The pupil has made many mistakes but has understood the general concept. The teacher on auto pilot starts correcting, very quickly all the mistakes. Everyone is happy as the class ends.

It’s not really the class that ends, its any hope of development that ceases.

The work of the pupil, with all the mistakes, is not only the pupils own work but it also shows what level the pupil is at. Once the teacher has masked over the mistakes, all hope of evaluating the development of the pupils writing skills over the term have vanished.

The second scenario is in a supported flat, involving a resident, who has mental health issues, and a support team. The resident lacks the awareness and ability to keep the flat clean. There are plates of left over food and cigarettes stubs all over the floor, the bathroom and kitchen constantly smells.

The support team at first, initiates a supported room clean to help the resident. One might think at first, a very good idea. As social workers and other outside agencies visited the resident, the state of the flat was never high on the list. As in the scenario above, the problems were being masked.

The support team then decided to stop the supported room cleans. The decision had consequences but it soon became very clear to outside agencies where the problem lay. They had something to work on.

Society tells us that bad handwriting or dirty rooms is something that should be avoided at all costs. But if one does not think carefully, vital chances for people to develop and learn could be lost

Boycott Veolia

2010-09-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

Veolia is complicit in violations of international law

Veolia Environment is a French multinational company. Veolia has a number of subsidiaries such as: Veolia Transport or Connex, Veolia Environmental Services, Onyx or Cleanaway, Veolia Water, and TMM, which are part of one of Veolia’s four divisions – water, waste management, energy and transport

Veolia, by providing services to illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian land, is complicit in grave breaches of international and human rights law committed by Israel:

Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and the annexation of East Jerusalem are illegal under international law.

1. Veolia is involved in the development of a tramway line in illegally Occupied East Jerusalem, linking illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory;
2. Veolia operates in illegally Occupied Palestinian Territory, servicing settler bus routes, on roads built on stolen Palestinian land and access effectively denied to Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank;
3. Veolia operates a 33 hectare landfill site, the Tovlan landfill, in illegally Occupied Palestinian Territory, servicing the occupier and dumping waste on the occupied.

Any economic operator may be excluded from participation in a contract where that economic operator has been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authorities can demonstrate

Véolia Transport, Alstom and Alstom Transport are currently the subject of legal action in France for their involvement in the operation of the light railway in the illegally Occupied Palestinian Territories.
On 15th of April 2009 the High Court of Nanterre accepted jurisdiction over the claims commenced by the Association France Palestine Solidarite (AFPS). The companies contested this ruling in front of the Court of Appeal of Versailles asking for the invalidation of the ruling of the Court of Nanterre.
The court of Appeal of Versailles handed down its ruling on the 17th of December 2009, confirming the ruling of the High Court of Nanterre regarding its jurisdiction on the case. Attempts by these companies to seek further appeals against the court decisions were declared inadmissible on 4th of February 2010. The case will now return to the High Court of Nanterre which will judge the substance of the case.

Veolia has lost billions worth in contracts due to their illegal activities in Palestine

We urge authorities and institutions to take the following action -
a) To exclude Veolia Environment or any of its subsidiaries -Veolia Transport, Veolia Environmental Services, Veolia Water,Onyx, Cleanaway, Connex, TMM - from all contracts.
b) To cancel contracts and/or ad-hoc arrangements that are in place to use services provided by Veolia Environment or any of its subsidiaries.

Profit

2010-09-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

‘A Hundred years before Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC a prominent and influential statesman, orator, and general of Athens), wealthy landowners in Athens were shipping their own grain outside the city to better markets while people inside the city went hungry.’

From Joseph Heller, Picture This

Some golden age!

The lust for money produces the greed for more and more. There is no end to it. Banks, institutions, corporations et al; all grabbing and exploiting what they can.

‘For things were good, he reminded her: as measured by official standards, they had not been better. This time only the poor were very poor, and the need for new prison cells was more urgent than the needs of the homeless. The problems were hopeless. There were too many people who needed food, and there was too much food to be able to feed them profitably. What was wanted was more shortages, he added with a smile. He did not volunteer that by now he was more in the solid middle class who was not keen to have his taxes raised to ameliorate the miseries of those who paid none. He preferred prisons.’

Another quote from Joseph Heller, Closing Time

From Banks to individuals, how do you stop the rot of apathy and gross misconduct?

To be ethical is because you really believe in fair employment and freedoms, not because it is the latest fashion. To be strong in your opinions and convictions, always able to listen but at the same time have the awareness what is right and wrong.

Key words for a healthy person

Independence
Empowerment
Self Advocacy
Opportunities
Choice
Privacy
Dignity
Respect

Back to the drawing board

2010-09-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

DUCKING FOR ENERGY

OOOh): I have been so uninspired this week. I needed to source some energy from somewhere. I decided to head down to the flying duck life drawing classes(:
Although I have been to numerous, I'm usually the one on the other side of the board....

It was awesome, great music, deep and atmospheric... I even began drawing with scissors... which I have actually never seen done before. I felt as it was my first draw in a few years I needed the discipline..but it has possibly highlighted my rather unhealthy addiction to basic stationary - come about from often improvised Mzuribead work. Always be prepared = Always carry a stapler and scissors .

...go on laugh, but I think the end effect was 3D.
Paper sculpture.. nice

See you next week, same time, same place

Kirstie Maclean

Rush Hour

2010-09-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been inside a Tesco metro during rush hour?

...I bet you have.
I live in Edinburgh, it must be worse in London.

It’s fucking mayhem; people are on one wavelength.
You put your head down and do what you have to do.

It is really scary; the shops narrow isles, the constant re-stocking by unhelpful and zombiefied staff and the endless queues that seem to go on forever. You are barged out the way; you lose the fight for the last tomato. It never stops.

Will I ever get out of here, you may ask yourself.

You feel trapped, not only in this shop at this particular time but trapped in the whole system. A single directional human conveyer belt, moving from birth to death.

………………………………………………………………………………………......

Think back 30 years, streets were full of independent shops, offering a huge range of products. People shopped not for greed, but to investigate and a chance to find something new. There was oxygen, freshness and a relaxed atmosphere.

The man that started Tesco has just retired.
He stated that he has no longer anything to achieve.

Let’s look at his achievements;

Buying land for supermarkets that were supposed to be protected for town planning or environmental reasons
Putting thousands of small businesses out of business
Paying the majority of staff minimum wage or even lower (employing under 18 year old staff). They don’t even get their lunch break paid.
Reducing choice for millions of people around the UK and the world

Tesco even has the balls to pride themselves on ethical trading, fair-trade.
It has been and always will be a ruthless operator; on constant lookout for new profit.

How can they lie about supporting farmers when they are the kings of exploitation? It’s disgusting. We cannot wait for Tesco to get a conscience; we need to put pressure on different bodies for intense regulation. Regulation of big business to give life a chance.

Apathy

2010-09-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

The most dangerous disease in the history of mankind

During the Edinburgh Military tattoo 2010 in the Edinburgh international festival there is a role play between soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan. In the atmosphere of cheesy 80’s music, British troops man a checkpoint. An Afghan family approach, the meeting is all relaxed as the soldiers carry out their checks. After the procedure the husband shakes one of the soldiers’ hands and then moves on with his family. What a wonderful picture, everyone is happy.

What are the crowds thinking after this performance?

Do they know what they have just seen, is a bunch of lies?
Do they care?

In Britain we are lucky to have open and independent media. The information is out there, Afghan civilians die in their thousands each year.

(One has to be careful here and be aware of unbalanced British reporting. The BBC for example, who continually favour Israel over Palestine and do not give equal time to Afghan casualties compared with British or American)

I am of the opinion that people do know what is going on and deep down, they know it to be terribly wrong. The problem is that they have stuffed their feelings so far down, they don’t even think of it anymore.

The propaganda in the tattoo or in newspapers is really what the people want to hear. That Britain is trying to bring peace and democracy to the world and everyone else is wrong.

The disease of apathy, or just looking the other way allows our government to get away the lies. Tony Blair sits there, urging the further killing of Muslim population’s. He has no regrets, despite all the deaths and destruction.

If people were more active, Tony would not be just sipping his gin and tonic but handcuffed in The Hague.

If people don’t believe the negative stories coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan, listen to people like Jo Glenton, a British soldier who refused to go back to Afghanistan. He has just finished a 9 month prison sentence. He and others explain what really happens in the Middle East, the bombing of villages and the shooting of farmers and grand parents.

Wake up and get active!

Mankind, The Autumn 2010 Collection

2010-08-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, yet another inspirational Super Fertile collection.

Name: Mankind.
Creator: Kali Arulpragasm.

As a jeweler who uses the Mzuribeads barkcloth range, I was pleased to see Kali's new pieces are chunky, molded and full of interesting texture. But that's not the favorite aspect of her work I enjoy most. The reason I am a big fan of her work as her pieces never fail to communicate important messages. If you look at her previous ranges, you'll see that some of the social messages are very direct. But Mankind is as I said above is the comforting shapes, touchy texture and the specific place where the pieces, not just adorn, but wrap and hug the wearer. Through this, you enter a world of themes.

Kali words.

'MANKIND is community in action: raising, holding, supporting, jumping, saving, loving, healing, cooperating, uplifting for tomorrow.
Putting aside differences in faith, culture, and class to work together.'

writen by Kirstie Maclean

Ethics

2010-08-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

With is ethical?

To be ethical is to be good, to be of good character. A character that performs an action or task with success and benefits others in the process.

At first glance, one would say that organising a charity football match, soccer aid for example, to help children in African countries, would be ethical.

Just £5 can buy a mosquito net for a child to sleep safely at night. This reduces the risk of contracting malaria. Millions of lives would be saved.

If only it would be that simple.

I am not writing this blog to try and play down the effectiveness of mosquito nets, their use is essential in the fight against malaria. What I am about to discuss is the lies behind the so called virtuous events such as soccer aid.

First of all, on the streets of Kampala, you can buy a standard new mosquito net for £1. This is a retail price. Oxfam, the international charity, on the other hand would be buying the nets at trade prices and in massive bulk. Lets be generous, Oxfam buys each net at 50 pence. Even though travel costs, labour and administration are taken in account, people are very much being mislead in thinking that all of their £5 will go towards one mosquito net.

The Soccer Aid was supported by many famous footballers and Hollywood actors and actresses. These people are the winners; they have made it in a world that most people find themselves with no job, no clean water and not enough food. The capitalist system has produced vast inequality, the poorer get poorer and the rich get richer. In the free market today, large corporations are able to exploit vast populations in order to produce profit.

In most European countries, farming is highly subsidized. There are a whole range of benefits and tax brakes for domestic producers. This unfortunately does not apply to the farmers in third world countries. Farmers in Uganda face large export duties and are forced to sell goods for a very low price. People are constantly struggling to stay alive.

It is naive to think that the ‘Aid’ the UK government gives to Uganda is a simple donation. Aid is another word for loan, a high interest loan. Coffee growers have to sell their produce at half their value to the British markets.

The Ugandan government is corrupt; it embezzles money and does not help its people. But the stench starts where the real power is, in the seats of the American, European or Chinese governments. They enforce regulations on the third world states; it’s a system of control. A small country like Uganda, always struggling, will always be at the mercy of powerful economies. The Ugandan president takes his unequal share and there is no cake left for the people.

The capitalist system has produced the highly paid actor Ewan McGregor who visited poor communities in Africa trying show what a difference your £5 would make. I think it is so patronizing, for one individual, a benefactor of discriminating and controlling polices, to be giving a hand out to the victims of the system. Its more than just patronizing, it is disgusting.

The mother that Ewan speaks with looks tired...there is no hope for her or her children. Maybe if she was not only aware of the lies of her government but of the whole system, she would not just sit there but actually grab Ewan’s testicles and feed them to the lions.

Soccer Aid is not ethical; it’s another system of control.
Charity only works in an equal spectrum. In a third world country, dependent on others, charity and hand outs will only make it harder for its people.

War in Afghanistan

2010-08-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

When they asked Socrates where he came from, he did not say ‘from Athens’, but ‘from the world.’

‘I am a man; nothing human is foreign to me’

I while ago I watched a guardian film documentary about American troops stationed in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. There the soldiers were, fighting, shooting bullets and talking about the wounded and killed. There was the shock of losing a friend, the fear of facing the enemy and having no quality of life.

But there they were, shooting and killing- not one of them questioning what they themselves had become or what were they doing it for. It was all about stopping or killing the enemy.

Who is the enemy, according to American troops…..the Taliban

The Taliban fighters on the other side are shooting and killing. I would not be surprised if many individuals were talking about the wounded, about the fear of facing American bombs and bullets. What were they in this war for?

Jihad, a struggle in a holy war. A fight against those, who try and destroy Islam?
One thing is certain; the one clear message from their leaders, God is on their side.

The similarities on the NATO or American side are quite easy to spot. Messages like, God is on our side, protect the free world and stop these terrorists are often heard from politicians.

What is the definition of terrorism?
Violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorist

If the Taliban are fighting NATO troops inside Afghanistan to regain control of their own country, this rules out terrorism. Under United Nations legislation, the domestic population can legally take up arms to counter foreign invasion. The only people that can be labelled terrorists are the NATO forces; their use of force against civilians is well documented. It is just very sad that the majority of the western populations do not value a life of an Afghan as much as a person from America or France. And that is the main point. Neither the American troops nor Taliban troops see the enemy as real humans, as people just trying to get through life.

I am reminded of the event in the First World War. Amongst all the propaganda and demonisation from the Allies and Germans, one Christmas day, troops from both sides put down their guns and played football. If the troops could shake hands, drink beer and joke about life why were they then fighting each other.

Because they are the enemy.

Is the Taliban fighter across the desert a nasty evil person? Is he the devil? Or is he a normal man, trying to feed his family and protect his country.

It really comes down to an understanding, an understanding of a persons culture and way of life.

Acceptance

It is easier to shoot and not to think of the other side other than bastards. But the other side is human, they have a different way of life but all have hopes and dreams. At the moment, many humans in life are very foreign to us; we are not wise in accepting difference and alternatives.

The killing in will never stop until people think, why am I killing?

My Little Mudhut Now Stocked in Nancy Smillies

2010-08-25T04:48:00.000-07:00

My Little Mudhut Jewellery Collection

Now Stocked in
Nancy Smillies Jewellery Studio.
Situated Great Western Road, Kelvinbridge, Glasgow G4 9JA

This boutique is a stylish, fully stuffed jewellery hub in Glasgow's west end. Smillies was first on my list when I was hunting out the perfect stockist for Mzuribeads. Mzuribeads are a range of recycled paper bead necklaces made by a cooperative in Uganda whom I worked with since 2006. You can read more about this company here.

Naturally, when releasing my collection, My Little Mudhut... Genna Miller (Nancy Smillie Jewellery Studio manager and in house jeweller) was one of the first to know. My range is handmade from an ethical selection of my favourite Mzuribeads barklcoth, banana leaf, recycled paper and cow horn beads. A special piece was made for this store to launch the range...It's all about the texture, I advise you to pop in for a look...Dare I say it so myself..it's quite a piece

Here's a small idea of what you'll expect to find.
and if it's silver your after..
then head down for Genna Millers own collection....

Ugandan poetry in motion

2010-08-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

Xenson Video Release

Ssenkaaba Samson, or Xenson, as we know him, is an independent designer who has delved into almost every medium...fashion, art, music, and so on. I first met him in 2007, when I was on the hunt for local Makerere Art School leavers, (finding out how much the art school had influenced and helped him develop). Xenson among many of the other Ugandan artists I have encountered all communicated a disappointment in the lack of freedom to express themselves during their studies . Lack of any funding and loss of independent style in the continuous promotion of general 'African Art' exhibitions, have all stood in the way of allowing artists like Xenson to express his talents. But, I will go in depth about this in another blog.

I was extremely excited to find Xenson had posted the video above on facebook this weekend. I clicked play, before reading the description as I saw his face on the snapshot. This was what I had hoped....his newest music video. Contemporary Ugandan poetry with tribal beats and imagery. The video is a very raw, and fresh performance, which may only speak to few right now. However, it is one of the most impressive works communicated by an independent Ugandan artists so far. Xenson, is pathing the way for the future of Ugandan artists, talking about true Ugandan life, and showing a unique style and serious energy. After the success of this latest video, I believe another one will be sure to follow, and I simply cannot wait to see what future creations have to come.

Written by Kirstie MacLean

Edinburgh Gaza Protest

2010-06-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

The 5th of June was a beautiful day, maybe too hot for the activities ahead. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign stalls and banners were put up at midday. Slowly others like stop the war and socialist groups arrived with their tables, banners and flags Volunteers handed out leaflets as crowds began to assemble. Buses from Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen came in and added to the growing noise of Palestinian support. We were here at the bottom of the mound, on Princes Street in Edinburgh, to march against Israeli murder. The murder of 9 aid workers on the flotilla and thousands of Palestinians over the years. Thousands gathered, speakers spoke, and we all marched. We walked along Princes Street, calling for an end to the siege of Gaza. The purpose of the whole day was to build momentum, to increase pressure on the Scottish government to take a stand. What Israel is doing in Palestine is illegal and should be stopped. On Monday 31st of May, The Israeli army acted like pirates in international waters. Over the years they have massacred thousands of innocent civilians with drones, white phosphorus and other chemical weapons. They are rogue states who at the moment are getting away with every action. The momentum of the boycott campaign is growing. Israel now believes it is a major threat. More people are joining the campaign, fighting to free Palestine

My Little Mudhut

2010-05-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

'My Little Mudhut'
A jewellery collection using contemporary & ethical Ugandan Mzuribeads, by Kirstie MacLean

My name is Kirstie MacLean, and by purchasing my jewellery you will be helping to support me as I continue my hard work with Mzuribeads, (an ethical Ugandan bead business. I founded in 2006).  The Mudhut jewellery I am selling is handmade in my evenings from natural Ugandan matrials, including barkcloth beads( inner bark of trees), banana leaf beads, recycled  paper beads, and cow horn beads.

See more and buy here

I hope very much that you like the jewellery.  However, if you have a specific designs in mind, I would be more than happy to custom a piece  just for you.

Ugandan Fashion Designer New Collection

2010-04-28T13:58:00.001-07:00

ATAL Stella

'JERSI'
100% Ugandan Organic Cotton
Comfortable & Simple Design

My trip into Uganda this April 2010, was only 95% Mzuribeads orientated, as I decided to dedicate a good couple of days with Stella Atal..my favorite Ugandan fashion designer. I heard she had a new collection using 100% organic Ugandan cotton, and mixing in some Mzuribead embellishments...this I just HAD to check out.

After seeing it, I offered to take some shots, and put together an online catalog for her , and design some cute flyers (shown bellow) for her to take with her to a Kenyan show this April.

She really appreciated my help, and I returned with a cute little barkcloth outfit ...part of her unreleased NEW collection (:

To see Stella's New collection Catalog 2010.. CLICK HERE

Fair trade and ethical unique beads

2010-03-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

Mzuribeads are very pleased to bring you not only handmade, recycled paper beads, but Barkcloth, Recycled Glass, Cow Horn and Banana Leaf beads.
All Handmade In Uganda, by community art groups promoting ethical business practice.
www.mzuribeads.com

Hula Hooping in Glasgow

2010-03-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Very enjoyable, but far harder than it looks....

Siobhan's Spring Hula Hoop classes

When picking up the hoop and trying a spin first time, had me believe I would not get the gist for a good few lessons..but I proved myself wrong..I got it to stay and spin around my waist with ease in around 15 mins. Then we got onto some tricks and flashy, spiny, throwy up in the air type things.

My friend almost took out three of the other hoopers, when she let the hoop fly spinning off her arm. Whilst I concentrated a little too much, (which I am now painfully regretting) on the neck spinnning. But together we had a great time, among a creative, energetic and playful group. Thank you Denise for inviting me along, and Siobhan Lawson for taking the lesson (:

Where & When?
Sundays 3-4pm at the Glasgow Steiner School
52 Lumsden Street, G3 8RH
(From 28th Feb - 4th April) Classes may continue after Easter if demand is sufficiant - then in summer we can hooop in the park!
These are drop in sessions, come & try any week you are free

How much does it cost?
£3 or £4 with professional adult hula hoop hire, many sizes & weights to try

What if I can't hula hoop? :(
Get the hoop going at least 5 spins by the end of your first class or your money back!

What shall I wear!?
Wear clothes you are comfortable in but baggy and chuncky jumpers will make it a little tricky to keep the hoop up, as will super shiny slidy fabrics - if anyone owns a slinky catsuit, perhaps wait till week 2... T-shirts and tops are a safe bet. Shoes or no shoes up to you, but trainers may sheild your toes from any falling hoops! Skirts look great but if you want to try any jumping/ under the leg passing hoop tricks, skirts may get tangled up...

Can I bring my own music?
Yes if you have a song you think would be great to hoop to, email me in the week & I'll try & find it, or I can connect an MP3 player.

I've got a particular trick I want to learn, can you teach me?
Again, speak to me at the end of the class or email me with a link to a video you've seen & I'll try my best to teach you the following week.

The emphasis is on having a fun time and trying out some cool hoop tricks along the way. Hooping is a dance for all ages, men and women and there's no right or wrong way to do it!

Written by Kirstie MacLean

The City TRONGATE THEATRE GLASGOW

2010-03-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, the 25th of Feb, Kirstie and I went to the Tron Theatre to see The City By Martin Crimp. Directed by Andy Arnold.

The immediate feelings after the play, the city, I thought it was terrible. So depressing, so intense, no changes in mood, just a waste of time. Its was made even more dramatic because of the small theatre in the Trongate, you really felt so close to the actors and actresses. But as I started discussing the performance with my partner and my sister, I realized that it had more too it than just a plain depressing story of the trouble lives of a suburban couple. The director had always left things open, never closed things up. When abuse was brought up or the way modern economies work, it was left up to you to continue the thinking and discussion. It explored the meaning of living in society and it really gave you so many things to chew on.

As I reflect, I loved it. hated it when i watched it but it made me think about many political and social issues. There were so many details to look back on and I think this type of realisitic, in your face drama has a real role in debating and discussing of the issues in every community in the UK and the world.

Written by Angus MacLean

Sharmanka, Russian Sculputes in Glasgow

2010-02-28T00:42:00.000-08:00

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

It's my third visit to Sharmanka Theatre. I was first taken when we were children living in Milngavie, just outside Glasgow. Sharmanka Theatre presents to you the many masterpieces made from scrap by Eduard Bersudsky, a sculptor-mechanic, which take you through life in Russia through the revolution. It is a very special experience that entertains and speaks to all ages. I was extra happy to be taking my brother and his girlfriend on this occasion, in the light that my brother has read, in great detail, about the Russian revolution. He gave us a brief summary before the show, and pinpointed particular areas of interest throughout. If you miss a showing at Sharmanka theatre, do whatever you can to ensure you catch later one. The exhibition is always open for people to go inside and look at this Russian treasure, but they are completely different in action. When you see the sewing machines dance, screws flap, birds converse with ogres, sexy monkeys violently pelvic thrust...you'll understand. Each sculpture, beautifully formed, and accompanied to effective music, takes you through a different genre of life. Over the years the lighting has also got increasingly effective. When these creatures, (in all the mechanical glory), kick into motion, the muti coloured bright spot lights offer you the most magnificent shadow shows going on on the walls around.

It is such a pleasure to see Sharmanka in Trongates new art space, a larger, more exposed place it most deserves. Sharmanka theatre is a must see for anyone visiting or living in Glasgow, and there are several showings through the day. I'm afraid the only down point is that their website does not do it justice, but I hope that will only encourage you further to check it out.

Written by Kirstie MacLean
A Serious Sharmanka Kentetic Theatre Fan

New year in Cairo and in Gaza

2010-01-01T11:28:00.001-08:00

New years day has been a time to reflect on the huge demonstrations on the 31st of DEC in Gaza and in Cairo. While palestinians and 200 internationals marched to the Erez crossing from both sides of the border, over 500 international activists demonstrated in central Cairo.

It had been a very nervous evening on the 30th, we knew that the Eygptian police knew everything, but we didnt know how they would react. Would we be stopped from gathering at 10 am? Would we be beaten?Arrested?Deported?

The police for several days had inflitrated the hotels with secret police, there was noway the details of the demo to be kept from them. On the morning of the 31st, as early as 7am, there were police everywhere on the streets, many barricades on the side of the street and alot of tension in the air. We found out around 9am that the police had blocked the entrance to the Lotus hotel where many Americans were staying. We just hoped that some managed to get out in time.

It was around 9.40 when most of the demonstrators made their way to Tahrir square where the demo would be. At 9.50 the first flag went up, belonging to a womens group, hundreds then ran as fast as they could to gather. We had made it, the demonstration began.

As we stood on the road. blocking all the traffic and holding our banners, the police immediatly started pushing us. We all sat down and linked arms. After only a few minuties the police had been given a direct order to phyiscally move us, one by one of the road.

They pulled on our bags, arms, legs and hair. As we resisted the police began to kick, punch and use any means possible to get us off the road. Many women were kicked and molested, many men were punched in the face. It was a very intense atmosphere, alot of emotion and very scary. By within a hour, the police had dragged us on to a large pavement area. Relief was felt all round as nonone was seriously hurt but unforntuatly one french women suffered a heart attack. The demonstration was surrounded by riot police but they stopped their violence.

Demonstrators started singing, chanting and displaying their banners on lampposts, trees and walls. The BBC and other major news channels were filming us live, the world was watching. Delegates spoke from each country.

It was so powerful, never has this been done before in Cairo. For once, Eygptian complicity in the GAZA genoside was highlighted. A victory for human rights. A huge majority of Eygptians supports the Palestinian cause but are stopped from showing their feelings by a brutal government.

As the hours passed people began to leave for a toliet break, water and food. The trouble was that the police were not allowing them back in. It was first hoped that the demonstration would last till midnight or even the whole night but it was clear that the numbers we falling. At 5 pm after 7 hours of dancing, chanting, speeches by all countries of the Gaza freedom march, the demonstration ended. 500 people were very tired.

At 8pm, a meeting was held at the french embassy to discuss about todays action. It was decided to protest outside the Israeli embassy.

Again, hundreds turned out to protest against Israel war crimes today. In solidarity with the Palestinians, we made our voice heard. Freedom for Palestine.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Gaza Freedom March Update 30th of December

2009-12-30T01:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, most of our group went down to the British embassy, and found it surrounded by police, and found no way of getting in. The American embassy was road blocked, police refusing entry, and a small group of Americans were being detained on the street. The secret police on the side of the road were moving other Internationals away from the area. These police were being physical and aggressive, and we got grabbed and pushed. We were informed that their was a group of Internationals talking to diplomats in the embassy trying to appeal for support in Cairo. The Egyptian government is continuing its support for Israeli war crimes and the Israeli block aid on Gaza.

Meanwhile others in our group went down to support the French at their embassy, where they are still occupying the pavement outside the embassy building. However, they are now able to come and go, they are not being detained. They held a meeting, which resulted in the rejection of dispersing as a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

(photo) Meeting held at outside the French Embassy

(photo) Members, (Mick, Sanna, Angus and Tom), from our affinity group discussing current activities

We then came back into down town Cairo to get ready for the demonstration at the Journalist Institute called by the Egyptian journalists. This was the first time that the Egyptians had gathered with the Gaza Freedom March, to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. It is very dangerous for Egyptians to demonstrate because, unlike Internationals, the government can detain and torture Egyptian citizens.

(Above photos) Internationl demonstartors outside the Joursalists syndicate Cairo

More photos on Flick r

Over 500 people gathered on the steps of the Institute, united calls in Arabic and English were chanted, like.. 'free the people of Gaza' ,'bring down the wall', 'let us into Gaza', 'Down Hosni Mubarak'....And, 'Down Netanyahu!!', (who disgustingly visited Egypt to ratify a U.S and Israeli peace deal, which will continue illegal settlement building in the West Bank and Gaza. To reiterate the point before, Egypt is completely complicit with the Zionist plan of obliterating all Palestinian life.

Amongst the chants, there were many journalists interviewing global activists. And, at approximately 7.30pm with news that the Egyptian government were going to let 100 International delegates into Gaza. Mediating with Codepink, the government had given two hours for 100 names to be put forward securing the places on the buses. Codepink divided the two hours into a ten minutes time frame for each group/country of delegates to put forward their names. We were told that two names were allowed from Scotland and two from England. We have no idea why we weren't all informed instantly, and given the two hours to decide. Furthermore, the number of people from each delegation was to be representative of the number attending the march, but considering there are only 12 Scottish and over 60 English, why were both countries given 2 delegates? Also, the French out number the Greeks, and yet the Greeks were given an extra place. We also are unaware of how the many people outwith a group were to be represented. In our ten minutes, we could not gather the whole of our group, and quickly decided on two names.

Later that evening, after the march, we discovered that the South African group did not want any part in this dirty trick. They wanted ALL their delegates to go to Gaza or none at all. Shortly after, our Scottish group decided that we wanted to decline the places offered to Gaza.

After this day, we were extremely exhausted. With so many meetings, updates, and the final ten minute decision making exercise, we went to bed.

This morning the main meeting at one of the hotels in Cairo, led by Codepink was trying to organise a Gaza Freedom March for the morning of the 31st in Cairo. This will be led by all Internationals of the Gaza Freedom March, and not just Codepink. This is to coincide with the March taking place in Gaza. Messages were flooding in that most groups were unhappy that only 100 were allowed entry, and refused to get on the buses. We then also got news that Gaza's decision had changed, and they wished us not to get on the buses, as they believed we should all enter Gaza or none at all. The police were physically trying to push people onto the buses, but as the people became more unified, many more left the buses. The latest is that one bus has left with only 50 people inside, claiming not to be in connection with either the Gaza Freedom March, or Codepink.

The Egyptian government later released a press release saying that the people who left on these buses, were in support of the people of Gaza, and the remainder activists in Cairo were ' hooligans'. This has further frustrated the people of the freedom march in Cairo, and tightened the resolve that a peaceful demonstration must be made tomorrow. It is now clear that all International groups support the march, including the French, who have been relatively isolated, since camping outside their embassy for the past three nights.

Everyone is now hurrying to make banners, network, contact the Egyptian solidarity groups, in preparation for the activity tomorrow. Further good news is that the South African delegates, have issued an International call for the boycott of Israeli. The draft of this mandate is currently being written, and will further gel all the International groups. Hopefully it will create a giant network of groups and individuals working on Boycott Divestment and Sanctions. We all hope that the demo tomorrow will be large, and put on real pressure, and push for us ALL to enter Gaza.

Written and Photos by Angus and Kirstie Maclean

Gaza Freedom March demonstrate in Cairo

2009-12-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

The French Gaza Feedom Marchers at The French Embassy in Cairo

Today was an unbelievably long day. We started by heading out to French Embassy to join over 400 French activists. They were still going strong since their demo last night, blocking the road for over 2 hours, because their buses did not take them to Gaza. They were still negotiating with the Egyptian goverment.

Gaza Freedom Marchers outside the UN

Angus MacLean, Scottish activist with Hedy Epstein (Holocuast survivor outside the UN)

We had a call from Codepink, which informed us, (the SPSC) of their plans for a big demonstration outside the UN. So, we left the French embassy and went off to the UN demo. Codepink and Internationals had gathered over 500, and planning a list of demands to the UN Senior Council in Cairo. Hedy Epstein was still on her hunger strike, and looking strong.

Whilst we were participating in the protest, we got word from the French demonstrators that they were about to be detained in the French college. We rallied to go and support them, (we = is our infinity group, composing mostly of Scottish and a few Internationals). We at first stuggled to get through to the French demonstraors, but eventually negotiated our way into the campaign. Unfortunely, news soon came in that the demo outside the UN had dispersed. So, we stuck out at the French embassy until evening, and head back to report and think on plans on our plans for tomorrow. We were being detained for sometime, and called unpon our embassies to help us get out. But, due to our embassies being either preocupied, or on holiday vacations, we doubt our release was down to their requests. We due appreciate the notification of our passprt numbers and full attention from the Irish embassy today. We left the French activists who were setting theirselves up for another night on the street, surrounded buy many 100 Egyptian police.

Hundereds of Police surround French Gaza Freedom Marchers outside the French Embassy

Tomorrow, we plan on maybe a visit to our our embassy and a demonstration on the other side of the French embassy. Watch this space..it gets more exciting everyday, and we are determined to get into GAZA.

MORE PHOTOS ON FLICK R

Egytian Goverment refuses entry to 2000 International Gaza Fredom March activists, and detains 38 in El-Arish

2009-12-27T12:02:00.001-08:00

Yesterday Egyptians detained the first group of International activist making their way to Gaza. They are currently under house arrest in El-Arish.

The Egytptian government have refused entry to the registered 2000 activists and cancelled our buses.

Today 300 french appealled to their embassy to arrange a new set of coaches to take them to the boarder, and everything looked set. The French have been very organised and hands on, having direct meetings with their ambassaor. Their ambassador would have gone to the Egyptian police, and the police to the bus companies. My brother and I, went down to the embassy hoping to see the french off...Spirts were high, and positive speaches were made, we all felt very positive....But come 9pm, two hours late of departure time...regretably still NO buses. The French are now protesesting, blocking the streets. They have no accomodation booked for tonight, but I'm sure they'll get good support, and a roof over their heads from their embassy. Unlike, ours...The British Embassy is CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS! ...One of my fellow UK activists got through via phone, and was told that they can't help us get through, they can't gaurentee our safety, they do not advise political demonstrations, and that this can all be found on the website....but she asked for our telephone contact..at least.

Here a pictures taken tonight, the 27th of December, outside the French embassy.

The Adventures of Free Gazaman and the 25 Mile Run

2009-12-22T10:58:00.001-08:00

Please click on the image to view larger.

Angus; (playing Free Gazaman), and myself, Kirstie MacLean are arriving in Cairo on the 24th of December. We are entering Gaza for the Freedom March on the 27th of December to the 2nd of January.

This run was to raise some funds for our trip, in particular for art materials, like paint and wire for our drama/painting workshop we intent to carry out.

We appreciate contributions at any time

via Paypal

to freedommarchgaza@yahoo.co.uk

or

CHEQUE, or CASH to
Kirstie Maclean , collect mail address from Kirstie at thirtiemaclean@hotmail.com

To follow are activities throughout our trip, please this blog

we also appreciate any press contacts, as the aim of this march is to inform people outside Gaza..whats really going on.

Scottish activists marching in Gaza

2009-12-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

Bellow are some brief introductions to some Scottish activists attending the Gaza Freedom March in December 2009.

Mick Napier

“I left school at 18 and worked with VSO in West Africa for a year before going to university and, like many others, opposing the US devastation of Vietnam. From that experience I saw that the US and UK were perfectly capable of using military force to thwart popular movements for independence. Nothing that has happened since has challenged that conclusion. I also learned that an alliance of colonial resistance movements with citizens and soldiers of the imperial power can defeat even the world’s most powerful militarism. I have been interested in Palestine since reading, with rising horror and indignation, Chomsky’s Fateful Triangle during the summer of 1987 in Montreal, shortly before moving to the Middle East to teach English.

I visited Palestine during the first intifada and founded the Scottish PSC at the start of the second to mobilise grass-roots opinion against British complicity, now in its 90^th year, in the violation of the people of Palestine. I have led SPSC fact-finding Delegations to Palestine during recent years, to prepare people to come back to Scotland to support the call from Palestinian civil society for boycott, divestment and sanctions against apartheid Israel.

In my day job I teach English to non-native speakers.

Contact: chair@scottishpsc.org.uk

Tom Mcvitie

I am a member of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and going to Gaza to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and to be part of a demonstration that let's Israel know that a growing number of people are becoming active to bring about justice for the Palestinians. I am focusing on boycott and looking to make links with other delegates so that we can learn from each other and strengthen the boycott campaign.

Contact: tom_mcvitie@hotmail.com

Abbas Ali

I am postgraduate student at the University of Glasgow with a keen interest in world affairs and the Israel/Palestine conflict especially. I intend to take part in the Gaza Freedom March to show solidarity with the people of Palestine. I hope this protest will add to the growing pressure on Israel to end the blockage of Gaza and also allow international co-operation to strengthen the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Contact: abbas5001@hotmail.com

Ken Imrie

Ken Imrie is Head of Programme Development for the Prince’s Trust-Scotland and Founder of YouthSchool, a Glasgow-based charity seeking to help disadvantaged youth living in developing countries.

As a member of the 1,400 International volunteer force taking part in the Gaza Freedom March, Ken hopes to visit Nusierat refugee camp and local secondary schools to see first-hand how the education and development of young people is affected by the siege.

Contact: ken.imrie@youthschool.org

Kirstie MacLean
I am the founder of Mzuribeads, an Ugandan bead and jewellery income generating inititive to improve the lives of women in villages around Uganda. And, the founder of Mudhut, which is home to my interests in the collaboration of Community Arts with active involvement/ promoting political awareness.

In Gaza I will be carry out a community art piece possibly involving some drama , (very large collaboration painting or scrap sculptures).
I will be blogging on this blogspot throughout the trip, and filming/photographing.

Contact : thirtiemaclean@hotmail.com

Omair Manzoor

I am a pre registration pharmacist. I graduated from the university of Strathclyde in 2009. I will be filming and photographing in Gaza. I hope to increase awareness of the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as the Palestinian struggle for human rights. I will also be filming for the purpose of documenting any killings of civilians (either Palestinian or from the international delegation) by the Isreali military during the non violent protest.

contact: omairmanzoor@hotmail.co.uk
uk mobile:07728294556.

Angus MacLean

I am going to gaza to see for myself the extent of the Israeli attacks one year ago. I want to be able to learn and gather as much info about the situation so I can fully raise awareness back in Scotland. I want to build the boycott campaign against the Israeli government.

Contact: admaclean@live.co.uk

Zara Murphy

I am an anthropologist PhD student from Glasgow who firmly believes that direct action is the only way to change the desperate situation in Gaza. The siege must end, mostly for the people of Palestine, but also for every global citizen who wants to say the word 'freedom' without some sick sense of irony. My hope and aspirations for the well being of the world also rests on justice in Gaza.

Contact: Scottish PSC

Running for The Gaza Freedom March

2009-12-10T04:08:00.000-08:00

Sponsored Run for

The Gaza Freedom March on the 27th December, 2009

click here for quick read about the march

watch video about why we are marching

Angus MacLean will be running with the Carnethy Hill Runnning Club...

On a 25 MILE journey
from Musselburgh to Carlops following the river North Esk.

Kirstie will be there taking pictures along the way......
yeh I know, I should do it also...but come on!! 25 miles!

______________

To follow our experience throughout the march, please add our Blog to your toolbar.

We, (Angus and Kirstie), are both supporting ourselves on the trip, so any donations would be greatly appreciated. We will be taking video footage and photos throughout the march, and doing something arty with the people we meet. This means we require extra funds for paints, brushes, and materials.

We depart on the 24th of December to Cairo, and hope to enter Gaza for the march on the 27th of December.

Contributions will be greatly appreciated at any date.
Via

PAYPAL
to freedommarchgaza@yahoo.co.uk
or

CHEQUE, or CASH to
Kirstie Maclean
Flat 1, 38 Speirs Wharf, G4 9TB, Glasgow, Scotland

to ask questions about the above
please contact Kirstie at thirtiemaclean@hotmail.com
Thank you

FREEDOM MARCH, Gaza anniversary, 27th of December

2009-12-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

The anniversary of the Israeli invasion of Gaza is rapidly approaching. On the 27^th of December 2008 Israel started its illegal rampage against the citizens of Gaza. White phosphorus and drones were used to murder children, women and their families. Israel had one aim back in 2008, to rip out every bit of Palestinian life in the Gaza strip.

The Israelis have failed. The people of Palestine keep on breathing, despite thousands of innocent people losing their lives. Every person in Gaza is a hero/heroine; they have helped save lives buried under rubble, attended to the wounded and have not give up on the struggle.

One major element is missing; very few people outside of Gaza know what’s going on inside Gaza.

The GAZA FREEDOM MARCH

on the 27^th of DECEMBER 2009

...is going to change that.

Over water and Land, over 1000 activists from all around the world will converge on Gaza. Hoping to collect pictures, videos and stories to communicate around the globe; this is whats really happening in this country!!!

I, Angus Maclean, will be going to Gaza with my sister, Kirstie Maclean(photo above), Omair Manzoor, Abbas Ali, John Porter, Keith Hammond, Michael Napier, Ken Imrie, and Tom Mcvite, all from the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

This blog will be used to discuss and talk about whats happening in Gaza and Palestine

Support the Palestinians!!!!

Boycott Israel!!!!!!

Written by Angus MacLean

News Exchange Drama Workshop

2009-12-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

November the 28th, News Exchange Drama Workshop

Last weekend, My brother, Angus Maclean, had invited me to Edinburgh for the The News Exchange - Drama Workshop, organised by Gavin Crichton at Active Inquiry.
I jumped at the chance to come along. I love drama so does my brother, so it was the ideal activity to spend time together.

Angus and I

This workshop was enlightening, educational and hands on. We started with some warm up fun games...great ice breakers. Then we collectively picked a recent topic posted in the news to take into further discussion. The chosen was surrounding the British media not exposing the numerous Afganistani deaths. The last exercise had us form a group and plan out a still scene reflecting how we believe the British media communicates the war in Afganistan today. Because we were on a time limit, words flew about which communicated a general shared view on the subject , and we quickly took our places. Later the other groups gathered round and were told one by one to take another position in the scene. To another group scene we had to join the figure we felt a strong connection with. I found myself lying on the floor, alongside a dead body in Afganistan, shouting at the media "Bring the camera my way".

I particularly loved the way the organisers kept you in your positions for 'uncomfortably long' periods of time. It made you sink deep into thoughts on your position, role and emotions. I would have loved if we had the time to have taken it a bit further, and get dialogue between the different roles. For example; Standing as this person, what would I say to that person?.. This would have given us even more time to contemplate on thought of everyone currently effected or actively participating in the war.

As posted on the workshop description: "24 hours a day the News is streamed to us through newspapers, television and the internet. Every week we are bombarded with thousands of words and images to process and try to understand. This sheer amount of information can turn us into passive consumers of current affairs, and a society obsessed with consumption has to continue to churn out more and more images and words for us to consume."

This workshop left me feeling far more engaged in the current issue being discussed. Reading a topic like this from a newspaper on my own in my flat, seems a very flat way to digest such an issue. This dynamic experience, left me with thoughts on people and topics, my mind would have not visited if it weren't for the fellow participants.

Definitely a workshop I would participate in again, and I can thoroughly recommend it to any age, and any type of person.

Further Info & Bookings: Gavin at gavin@activeinquiry.co.uk or 0771 4321 629

Written by Kirstie Maclean

Uproot By Kirstie Maclean

2009-11-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

Uproot by Kirstie Maclean

SEWING ROOTS
Glasgow Ethical Fashion Show @ Che Camilles on the 20th November 2009.

For my first ethical fashion event I am pleased. Enthusiastic models, super make up, great raffle prizes!, green vines, tribal drumming...I don’t know which aspect I enjoyed most. Truthfully, I really enjoyed everyone telling me how organized I was....If only they knew!.. Leading up to this event, my car was a dump, and my flat was like a jungle with hidden death traps.

It must have been over a year back, that I expressed to Camille my ideas of hosting an event like this. I’m happy to have finally return from one of my Uganda trips, and just do it. I got my extra push from attending the Ethical Fashion Forum seminar in London in September, where I got fired up and excited about the enlarging ethical fashion scene. So, I hand picked a selection of Ethical fashion labels that hadn’t yet been seen / stocked in Glasgow, and put the together in a well fitted atmosphere and location. My personal favorite (because the clothes spoke recycled and colour to match Mzuribeads), was a Glasgow designer, Mia Nisbet. I felt her collection really ended the show with a ROOARR! I hope those of you who attended enjoyed the collections from Bibico and Goodone. I know you all can't wait to get on Johari's awesome new collection. All clothes will be on sale at Che Camille until mid December...I’d love to hear more of your opinions, write me (:

We are starting to see some great results from the photographers, and videographers....

Photos by Chris Anderson: kiesar_sosay@yahoo.com (see more pics)
Supporting Blogs: Fashion Hot Mess and girl-e glasgow

The show I saw, was most likely a very different kind of entertainment. Stress, giggles, rum, and nervous yapping. Best of all my Ugandan village yodeling, booty shaking, tiger roars, the stick,.... all that jazz back stage to psych the models(:

I am now reflecting on all the different routes I went down to organize this event...so many ways roads I was half way down, and never reached. Putting trust in peoples word, thinking if they don’t turn up.. what will happen? As it happens, one of my models, actually didn’t show, yes! ..simply did not show. I actually didn't notice until very late!! You can fully take your ..”you seem so organized” comment back now.

I feel sad that I didn't share my turbo powered energy with my audience. But, to be honest.. I don’t know if they are ready for that quite yet (;

.....Next time.

Extra special thanks goto:
Camille Lorigo and her team for setting me sail, and tossing life rings when much needed
Laura Frame (event model, illustrator by profession) ‘Best in show’ - setting the pace, and putting on a performance that matched mine back stage!!
Lynne Mills, Laura Wisinger, and Hannah Morgan (Eye Candy Make - Up) for super direct/professional/efficient and beautiful work
Angus MacLean, (my personal punching bag). How many years do you think I’ve taken off you so far.
Caroline Allan (bar) for your smile and near breaking your back cleaning up.
Shearer Candles for Candles , raffle prize and continued support.
Partick Beat for Drumming
African Embassy for food
Print and Copy Shop for discount flyers

Apologies to Sam Rogers from Ethics Girls for not having mentioned as the contributor of the fab Kuyichi ethical jeans (raffle prize).

Roots and Fruits for fruit basket (raffle prize)
Hair Botanics for Cut and Dry (raffle prize)
G1 for dinner at Hummingbird (raffle prize)

There were very few things I regret not having done...lets do it all again(:
Thank you everyone who contributed and attended.

Kirstie MacLean
Sewing Roots Event Director

kirstie@mudhut.ug
www.mudhut.ug (will be up very shortly)
www.mzuribeads.com

Mud Hut and Mzuribeads Press Release

2009-10-31T12:27:00.001-07:00

Press Release November 2009
Mudhut and Mzuribeads

Mudhut is the name of a not for proﬁt online platform for useful ideas.
It will be looking for sustainable, creative and innovative ways to develop educational, political,
economical, and environmental projects. The site (www.mudhut.ug) is being voluntarily created by Jason Frame, of Majic Lamp, a web and software development company based in Glasgow. The site is set to be launched on the 20th of November, and will feature blogs, info on current projects, artist, designers and community collectives proﬁles, volunteer positions, and so much more.

Kirstie MacLean (25), previous student of Kelvinside Academy, in Glasgow established Mudhut to spark off creative relationships between groups and individuals, and to grow a platform where ideas turn into positive, exciting projects, businesses and movements. She begun her work in this ﬁeld, after prematurely leaving her Community Education BA at Edinburgh University to work on the growth of Mzuribeads. Mzuribeads is an ethical jewellery and loose bead business she founded after her trip to Ugandan in 2006. Her intentions prior to the trip, were to teach english to Congolese refugees in a central Kampala school, and spend some time with her brother, who was also volunteering at the time. Near the end of her three month visit, her
brother introduced her to four women who were rolling beads from recycled paper in a suburban
village in Kampala. Kirstie was instantly inspired, and decided to take a bunch of the paper bead
necklaces to the UK to sell. The sales went well, and the project soon expanded into a larger
network of jewelers all paid a fair wage for their innovative skills.

Whilst building Mzuribeads into a sustainable ethical bead business, Kirstie has met and
collaborated with a number of artists, designers and skilled community groups in Uganda and the UK. This year she has designed a new range of jewellery with the head of jewellery department at Makere University, Kampala. The collection received a lot of interest from high street buyers when presented at the Spotlight on Africa seminar, hosted by the Ethical Fashion Forum in London. The jewellery will be on show again at the ethical fashion show, (titled ‘Sewing Roots’), Kirstie has organised at Che Camilles, independent design boutique in Glasgow City Centre, on the 20th of November, 2009. The show will bring together large and small ethical labels, and promote Mudhut. Aiming to inspire designers to create collections from ethical and resourceful sources, and incorporate their work with the materials made by many skilled community groups she has met in East Africa.

(left image) A Mzuribeads jeweler is happy that Mzuribeads has helped her pay for her
medical bills and school fees.
(right image) Kirstie Maclean, collecting recycled paper beads from the Mzuribeads workers.

For all enquiries contact Kirstie MacLean : kirstiemaclean@mzuriwomen.com / 07772 300 947

Glasgow's Ethical Fashion Show

2009-10-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

Che Camille presents
'SEWING ROOTS'
Glasgow's Ethical Fashion Show

Where?
Showroom and Studio
Floor 6, Argyll Chambers, 34 Buchanan Street
Glasgow, G2 8BD (Directions at bottom)

When?
20th November, 2009 at 7pm
TICKETS £7.50 ON SALE SOON AT http://www.checamille.net
£10 ON THE DOOR

Whats going down?
Experience a mystical trail through a collection of the most exciting ethical brands.
From comfy smart/casuals, to one off tailored dresses.. this clever collaboration has something to offer everyone.
The clothing and jewellery will be shown in a candle lit fashion show at 7.30pm.
All items will be available to try on and buy throughout the night.
PLUS DRINKS, African FOODS, and eletro beats, accompanied with LIVE tribal drumming.
Any profit made by the organisers will be put towards Mudhut. A not for profit, online platform, identifying sustainable, creative and innovative ways to develop educational, political, economical, and environmental projects in developing communities.

The exhibitors will have their collections on sale in Che Camille for a month following this event.

The show will feature the following brands:

Bibico
Bibico is a fair trade UK clothing label designed by Nieves Ruiz. A range of very beautiful, simple, and charming garments.
http://www.bibico.co.uk/

Goodone
Goodone is a UK clothing design company who produce innovative, quality, one-off clothing, made from hand-picked, locally-sourced, recycled fabrics.
http://www.goodone.co.uk/

Mia Nisbit
Mia Nisbit is an exciting new designer and the winner of Make Your Mark fashion Award 2008 for ethical fashion design during London Fashion week. She will be exhibiting her latest range of reinvented recycled clothing combined with traditional textiles from Malawi.
http://www.fashionbymia.com/

Johari
Johari is a ethical fashion company offering exquisite hand-crafted clothing and jewellery from locally sourced materials and skills from within Kenya.
http://www.johari.co.uk/

Purple Mango & Mzuribeads
Purple Mango is the name of an exclusive new ethical jewellery business. Purple Mango offers a symbolic collection of statement jewellery created from sustainable materials, original designers, and fair trade producers.
Mzuribeads is a stunning collection of handmade, recycled paper bead jewellery brought to you by a cooperation of Ugandan jewellers.
http://www.mzuribeads.com/

Ronis
Ronis is the label of a self taught up and coming Nigerian clothing designer who moved into Glasgow last year. She hand tailors a stunning variety of Nigerian textiles into funky dresses for her customers around the UK.

Shearer Candles
Shearer Candles is recognised as a leading innovator in the fashionable and design-conscious world of candles. Handmade in the factory situated opposite Govan metro station, Shearer candles will be giving out sample gifts and displaying a table of their finest Christmas and gift selection of beautiful and scented candles.
http://www.shearer-candles.com/

PLUS Guest DJ, traditional African drumming, drinks and local African foods.

Directions
Underground: alight at St Enoch station. At the top of St Enoch station stairs, cross over Argyll St onto Buchanan street. Walking up Buchanan St, the entrance to the Argyll Arcade is a minute's walk up, on your right. Entering the Arcade, there is an elevator on your left.

Che Camille is located on Floor 6 - you can't miss us!

Mudhut - An Introduction

2009-10-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mudhut, an new online platform for useful ideas.
We are looking for sustainable, creative and innovative ways to develop educational, political, economical, and environmental projects.

Our new site is coming soon at www.mudhut.ug, featuring blogs, info on current projects, who we work with, volunteer positions, and much more.

Kirstie MacLean, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, founded Mudhut to spark off creative relationships between groups and individuals, and to grow a platform where ideas turn into positive, exciting projects, businesses and movements. She has been working on founding and the growth of Mzuribeads for the past 3 years, whilst working/living between Uganda and Glasgow.

Angus Maclean is helping found Mudhut to gather new ideas and inspiration for new projects, Whether it be volunteer projects, setting up galleries for the homeless or communities in Uganda. He always want to be involved in something fresh, positive, and were people have the opportunity to influence their own lives.

Mudhut works in a number of fields including fashion, and we have our first ethical fashion show on the 20th of November, 2009 at Che Camilles, independent design boutique in Glasgow. Our blog on all thinga cool about this event is up next.