Hotaru donates 25% of all proceeds to a family of four living in Uganda. They currently do not have the means to support themselves. Employment in Uganda is scarce and there is no state benefit system. So a substantial part of the price paid for an item (excluding postage and packing) is donated directly to the family. The aim is to give all of them decent conditions of life and also to give the young ones a chance to have a good education so that in the near future, they can get a job or set up their own businesses and support the family by their own means.

The family

Agnes is in her late 80's and has worked hard all of her life as a newspapers vendor in Kampala's most popular market. She has lost several children to AIDS . She has a stomach ulcer and is too elderly and poorly to work.

Edith is Agnes' daughter. A few years ago, she fled from an abusive husband and now she lives with Agnes. She is a full time carer for her mother and she is living with HIV.

Morris (22 years old) is Edith's son. He lives with his mother and grandmother. He is currently studying IT Science at university in Uganda.

John (22 years old) is Agnes' grandson, Morris' cousin. He has lost both of his parents to AIDS while he was still a child and he now lives with Edith, Agnes and Morris in the same house. He too is currently studying IT Science at university in Uganda.