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Our Team

Laura coordinates the team of volunteers in Canada and provides strategic direction for operations in Canada and Uganda. She also helps communities advance the Sustainable Development Goals and climate transitions at Tamarack Institute. Laura holds degrees in Global Studies and Business.
Laura coordinates the team of volunteers in Canada and provides strategic direction for operations in Canada and Uganda. She also helps communities advance the Sustainable Development Goals and climate transitions at Tamarack Institute. Laura holds degrees in Global Studies and Business.

Laura Schnurr
Executive Director/Co-founder

Ruth manages relationships with stores, attends local events, and spots opportunities for strategic growth. After retiring from a career in publishing, writing, editing and trade show management, Ruth became a very active volunteer with BOA.
Ruth manages relationships with stores, attends local events, and spots opportunities for strategic growth. After retiring from a career in publishing, writing, editing and trade show management, Ruth became a very active volunteer with BOA.

Ruth Tabacnik
Sales Manager

Allan is a retired lawyer from London, UK. He enjoys helping Ruth with sales of BOA products at country markets and other special events.
Allan is a retired lawyer from London, UK. He enjoys helping Ruth with sales of BOA products at country markets and other special events.

Allan Lawson
Sales Support

Rudy is a software engineer and website designer. He enjoys playing guitar and singing in his spare time, and has developed our website
Rudy is a software engineer and website designer. He enjoys playing guitar and singing in his spare time, and has developed our website

Rudy Rosen
Website Design

Thomas lived in Gulu on and off from 2009-2017 until his family joined him in Edmonton. Previously he worked with CEED Concordia and the Grassroots Reconciliation Group.
Thomas lived in Gulu on and off from 2009-2017 until his family joined him in Edmonton. Previously he worked with CEED Concordia and the Grassroots Reconciliation Group.

Thomas Prince
Co-founder

Philip has headed and coordinated BOA activities in Uganda since 2011. Previously he worked with organizations such as SOS children villages and Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program. Philip has a Bachelor of Public Admin and Management from Gulu University.
Philip has headed and coordinated BOA activities in Uganda since 2011. Previously he worked with organizations such as SOS children villages and Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program. Philip has a Bachelor of Public Admin and Management from Gulu University.

Philip Omony
Co-project Leader, Uganda

Josephine is active in group follow up, loan collections, group meetings, purchasing and organizing training. She also serves as treasurer to the BOA Uganda board. Josephine holds a degree in Public Admin and previously worked in the private, public and non-profit sectors.
Josephine is active in group follow up, loan collections, group meetings, purchasing and organizing training. She also serves as treasurer to the BOA Uganda board. Josephine holds a degree in Public Admin and previously worked in the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Josephine Angeyo
Co-project Leader, Uganda

Our Journey

Beads of Awareness began in 2009 with two young entrepreneurs and a big dream. After spending the summer volunteering in Gulu. Thomas returned to Canada deeply moved by the Ugandan people and culture. He proposed an idea to Laura and, with much excitement and positive support from family and friends, the social enterprise started to bloom.

From the outset, our motivation has been to raise money for grassroots development projects in Uganda and to support and promote Ugandan artisans by creating jobs and selling their products. We also hope to raise awareness about the people of Uganda and their struggles recovering from the devastation of a civil war, hence where our name Beads of Awareness came from.

A project that began with two individuals grew to include a large and vibrant community.

Our Values

COOPERATION

We believe in working with the people of Uganda, especially when it comes to the development projects we support. Ugandans have amazing potential and ambitious dreams—all that lacks are the necessary resources to achieve them. Our goal is to encourage empowerment and independence.
We believe in working with the people of Uganda, especially when it comes to the development projects we support. Ugandans have amazing potential and ambitious dreams—all that lacks are the necessary resources to achieve them. Our goal is to encourage empowerment and independence.

EQUITY

We are extremely concerned with the wellbeing of the artisans. We pay a fair wage for our products so our artisans, most of whom are women, can feed their families, send their children to school and promote growth in their communities.
We are extremely concerned with the wellbeing of the artisans. We pay a fair wage for our products so our artisans, most of whom are women, can feed their families, send their children to school and promote growth in their communities.

SUSTAINABILITY

We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact through our products, promotional tools and packaging. The beads we use are made of re-used paper making them ecofriendly and all promotional materials are printed on 100% recycled paper.
We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact through our products, promotional tools and packaging. The beads we use are made of re-used paper making them ecofriendly and all promotional materials are printed on 100% recycled paper.

QUALITY

We are dedicated to providing our customers with unique, quality products. We have tested our products for durability, strength and resistance and we are confident that they will last.
We are dedicated to providing our customers with unique, quality products. We have tested our products for durability, strength and resistance and we are confident that they will last.
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