Team

Susan Laker / 22STARS designer & Team leader of the designers

Susan Laker / 22STARS designer & Team leader of the designers

With her intelligence, humour and passion, Susan soon became our team leader. She teaches the other ladies how to make paper beads and string them into jewellery. She oversees the production and quality of our products. Susan, who is 29, lives with her three children, Derick (16), Peace (13) and Masika Dorita (11), on the top of a hill with a beautiful view over the Acholi Quarter. Susan was born in Northern Uganda and has lived most of her life in Gulu. Her first husband, a soldier, died in 1999. Her second husband went to Somalia in 2007 with the peacekeeping force and never returned. During that period Susan became so sick and stressed, that her sister took her to the hospital in Kampala. There she was diagnosed with HIV, cancer and tuberculosis. She was put on medication and after a year she was cancer free. She still has to take Anti Viral Medicine against aids, which is only effective if she looks after herself and gets healthy nutrition. Susan moved to the Acholi Quarter in 2008. Susan had to be creative in making a living for herself and her three children. Since she was stigmatized as an HIV patient and has to look after her children she searched for something she could do from her home. Susan learned how to make paper beads and quickly improved her skills and techniques making beautiful jewellery. She started earning money and was able to improve her situation. Susan always stayed strong and positive because of her children. She loves helping and motivating other women who are less fortunate than herself and has many friends.