Featured StoriesThe Road AheadAfter seven years, the Paper Fig Foundation is building on its successes.January 7, 2020The Power of Just OneEmpower One, Empower ManyDecember 3, 2019Giving Tuesday is Around the Corner!Help support the Paper Fig Foundation by supporting our Giving Tuesday campaign!November 20, 2019To Hold a Diploma in Your HandsWhat does a diploma mean to you?November 4, 2019The Largest Class Ever Graduates103 graduates proudly receive their diplomas from the Paper Fig FoundationOctober 8, 2019Brian Sonko, Uganda Seed Project WinnerBrian Sonko, winner of the Uganda Seed Project, will debut his new line this week at Kampala Fashion Week!September 23, 2019The Paper Fig Fellows at NYFWThe Paper Fig Fellows are having the experience of a lifetime!September 10, 2019Bring the Paper Fig Fellows to New YorkNew York Fashion Week will be the experience of a lifetimeAugust 19, 2019Empowerment through FashionThe many layers of Empowerment through FashionJuly 17, 2019Brian Sonko Prepares for Kampala Fashion Week 2019Brian Sonko's journey embodies the Paper Fig Foundation's missionJuly 1, 2019Thank you to Newman's Own Foundation for Supporting Paper Fig FoundationThe Paper Fig Foundation received a generous grant from Newman's Own Foundation!June 19, 2019The Paper Fig FellowsAnd the winners are...June 4, 2019Water Is Life Celebration at Paper Fig Health CenterWater Is Life Celebrates the Long Awaited Arrival of Clean Water to KiharaMay 10, 2019The Invisible Thread between Kampala and KaseseA new, strong stitch in the Invisible Thread: Kampala to KaseseApril 30, 2019Bela Musana VideoYou have got to see our new video that captures the spirit of Bela Musana, and of the Paper Fig Foundation!April 4, 2019Paper Fig Foundation Welcomes its Largest Class EverMarch 28, 2019The Invisible Thread VideoMarch 27, 2019Year-Round Drinking Water at the Health CenterThe whole community is coming together to secure year-round healthy drinking water in KiharaFebruary 25, 2019Yoga with a Purpose with Paper Fig FoundationGrow closer to the Paper Fig Foundation, and to yourself..February 12, 2019NYFW 2019New York Fashion Week is underway!February 6, 2019Attend New York Fashion Week and Support the Paper Fig Foundation!Attend the runway shows at New York Fashion Week and support Paper Fig Foundation at the same time!January 30, 2019The Runway AheadWe have a vision for 2019 and we hope you'll share it!January 8, 2019Impact Report 2018 Now AvailableOur Impact Report for 2018 is now available for review. We are so thankful for the support we’ve received this year.December 30, 2018Leadership Announcement: Edith MuhindoEdith Muhindo has been promoted to Area Supervisor, responsible for all Paper Fig Foundation projects in her area of rural Uganda.December 11, 2018BELA MUSANA - THANK YOU!!!We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support that we felt at Tuesday night’s BELA MUSANA.November 29, 2018GivingTuesday + BELA MUSANAToday is Giving Tuesday! Tonight is BELA MUSANA!November 27, 2018GratitudeNovember 22, 2018Host Committee Spotlight: Mara HoffmanNovember 21, 2018Host Committee Spotlight: Leymah GboweeNobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee believes in the work of the Paper Fig Foundation.November 16, 2018Host Committee Spotlight: Grace MaharyJoin Grace Mahary and other leaders in the fashion industry at Bela Musana on November 27 to promote empowerment through fashion!November 14, 2018Board Member: Brianne Chai-OnnBrianne Chai-Onn is happy to be stitched into the fabric of the Paper Fig Foundation.November 12, 2018The Invisible ThreadThe Meaning of The Invisible ThreadNovember 7, 2018The Performance Team Behind Bela MusanaWhen Paper Fig Founder Laurie DeJong saw this creative duo perform their original song, Bela Musana, she felt an immediate connection.November 5, 2018Bela Musana: Be the Light. See the Light.There are so many reasons to attend Bela Musana, but on top of everything else, prepare for a performance that moves you.November 3, 2018Our Illustrious Bela Musana Host CommitteeThe Bela Musana Host Committee comes from a range of perspectives to stand with the Paper Fig Foundation.November 1, 2018Meet Paper Fig Foundation Board MemberPhotographer and Filmmaker David McIntyre finds in the Paper Fig Foundation the opportunity to use his love of his work to do good in the world.October 29, 2018The Meaning of 'Bela Musana'For Paper Fig Foundation founder Laurie DeJong, the term Bela Musana is a reminder of how she wants to live her life.October 26, 2018Meet the FilmmakersRon Voller and David McIntyre visited the sites of the Paper Fig Foundation to film a documentary that weaves together the foundation's many threads.October 23, 2018Hope is the LightBela Musana inspires us all to be the light of hope.October 15, 2018Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2018As the 6th annual Glitz Africa Fashion Week launches, a look at founder and former Paper Fig Fellow Claudia Lumor.October 15, 2018And the Winner Is...Uganda Seed Project winner Brian Sonko takes home 2 million Uganda shillings and the promise of a show at next year’s Kampala Fashion WeekOctober 12, 2018The Growing WebAs the invisible threads weave together, the Paper Fig Foundation becomes a strong web.October 10, 2018The Uganda Seed ProjectThe Uganda Seed Project equipped twelve aspiring designers with not only skills and know-how, but community.October 8, 2018Kampala Fashion Week: Part 2How The Paper Fig Fellows and the Uganda Seed Project help stitch the invisible thread of the Paper Fig FoundationOctober 3, 2018Kampala Fashion Week: Part 1The Fifth Annual Fashion Week in Kampala is a major Paper Fig success story.October 1, 2018Water is Life: Part 3Spouts of Water sources local materials and labor to provide filtration systems and clean water to communities.September 28, 2018Water is Life: Part 2Part 2 of 3. Creating access to clean water is a step by step process - this month, Paper Fig got to stepping.September 26, 2018Water is LifePart 1 of 3. Water is life. But in most places where the Paper Fig Foundation works in Kasese, water is scarce.September 24, 2018NYFW Meets the Paper Fig FellowsPart 3 of 3. After several applications to become a Fellow, Emolsa Haasacha finally got his chance this year.September 21, 2018NYFW Meets the Paper Fig FellowsPart 2 of 3: Paper Fig didn’t make Cedric Mizero into an artist. Paper Fig just saw his light.September 19, 2018NYFW Meets the Paper Fig FellowsPart 1 of 3. The Paper Fig Fellowship is the thread that stitches together all of The Paper Fig Foundation's platforms.September 17, 2018A Fashion Show A World ApartPart 3 of 3. The fashion show brought community leaders to Kidodo, a neighborhood that doesn’t typically get a lot of attention.September 14, 2018A Fashion Show A World ApartPart 2 of 3. For a moment, the differences between New York and Paris and Kampala and Kasese dissolve, and these are just beautiful women wearing their work with pride.September 12, 2018A Fashion Show A World ApartPart 1 of 3. As Fashion Week descends upon New York City, it seems a good time to remember that all fashion shows are not created equal.September 10, 2018Edith and the MachinesEdith looks towards the future and thinks of how the Paper Fig Foundation can promote long-term success in Kasese.September 7, 2018Edith and the MachinesPart 2 of 3. Edith Muhindo is just as involved in the workings of the Marietta Steinberg Health Center.September 5, 2018Edith and the MachinesPart 1 of 3. Program Manager Edith Muhindo helped to lobby the Ugandan government for 14 new sewing machines, which they secured without the help of Paper Fig Foundation.September 3, 2018Dr. Joseph and the Health CenterPart 3 of 3. Dr. Joseph regularly sees women in labor trekking up the steep hill to deliver their babies. As of now, he has to turn them away.August 31, 2018Dr. Joseph and the Health CenterPart 2 of 3. When a woman was in labor, for instance, she would sometimes be carried by her neighbors the six miles. Now, people don’t have to wait for an emergency to seek out medical services.August 29, 2018Dr. Joseph and the Health CenterPart 1 of 3. People were dying in Kihara because of a lack of access to healthcare. But at the Marietta Steinberg Health Center, Dr. Joseph keeps a community healthy and growing.August 27, 2018Medrine and the Sewing SchoolPart 3 of 3. It’s more than just acquiring skills. It’s a safe place where they can work together and grow. That’s why they came up with the Paper Fig Foundation Alumni Association.August 24, 2018Medrine and the Sewing SchoolPart 2 of 3. After months of talking, Laurie DeJong and the Paper Fig Foundation decided to support Medrine’s dream of starting a sew school in Kidodo Village.August 22, 2018Medrine and the Sewing SchoolPart 1 of 3. Medrine Muhindo started her sew school with patterns made out of paper bags and students who couldn’t afford school fees. Now, thanks to the Paper Fig Foundation, she leads dozens of young women down the runway at the end of every term.August 20, 2018Archived StoriesBela Musana: Special Guest, Gloria WavamunnoMeet Our Bela Musana Host CommitteeWhen Beth Stankard, Head of HR at Coach, traveled to Uganda and Rwanda with the Paper Fig Foundation, she knew she had established a life-long connection.Take Home a Gahaya Links Basket!Buy your ticket to Bela Musana today and enter to win a beautiful Rwandan peace basket!Why Theater?At Bela Musana, you'll get to be connected to the Invisible Thread.EventsBela MusanaNovember 27, 2018May 23rd at the Uganda HouseMay 24, 2018We Are All Connected: A Yoga ClassSeptember 14, 2018InsightsSeptember 13, 2018August 16, 2018July 26, 2018July 19, 2018July 12, 2018July 3, 2018June 27, 2018June 19, 2018May 24, 2018
