Behind every hand made product is an individual, a person. Here you will be able to read about the organisations who support the producers with their work by promoting a fairer way of doing business.
VIVA AFRICA (meaning Celebrate Africa), KENYA
Viva Africa was formed by Viva Bedi to give employment opportunities to the needy in her local community. Her particular concern is for the hearing impaired and mute men and women in Nakuru.
Viva Africa started with 2 women in 2006 and the organisation now employs over 80 people (from qualified tailors, machinists, bead experts and students). Although Viva Africa is providing employment for a variety of people from Nakuru, a significant number still come to the organisation from the Deaf and Dumb School to receive training and more than likely on-going employment.
Viva Africa trainee beaders in August 2008 (top) and the Viva Africa beading group in February 2011 (above)!
Viva Africa specialises in using the traditional East African fabric. The fabric is 100% cotton grown in East Africa (Tanzania, Uganda or Kenya). The raw cotton is then turned into material which is dyed into vibrant colours and used for kikoi scarves, tablewear and clothing. Viva Africa is also working with other high profile clothing labels in the US & Europe.
We proudly announce the latest trans-seasonal capsule - Peripheral Vision! Take a look.
KENANA KNITTERS - KENYA
In February 2011 we had the pleasure of a first time visit to Kenana Knitters in Kenya. Kenana Knitters started in Njoro, Kenya 1998, to help rural women find a much needed form of income using their spinning and knitting skills.
Njoro is mainly a farming area – agricultural work for the men is easier to come by than for the women, yet agricultural wages are insufficient to support large and extended families. What Kenana Knitters produces helps support the farming communities in Kenya and to build a secure future for the children of these farming communities.
Kenana Knitters is a self-supporting knitting co-operative and the knitters and spinners are paid a fair wage. Additionally, sales fund a range of welfare projects in Njoro, Kenya.
Knitting is ideal. It requires minimal equipment, can be done in snatches, when time permits. When the rains come and the family crops and vegetables need tending, not much knitting gets done, but in times of drought and crop failure, when the family garden is bare of supplementary vegetables, money can be earned to purchase the necessities of life.
The group generates two forms of income; buying the wool locally then creating more work by turning the wool into marketable products such as toys, bed-covers, scarves, hats and other accessories.
The work undertaken by Kenana Knitters promotes the work of other local artisans such as the Ziwani Weavers, based in Nyahururu, helping to bring their beautiful hand-spun, woven shawls & blankets to a wider market.
From the Kenyan knitting base, products are directly exported to their Distributors around the globe. Worldwide sales fund a range of welfare projects for the benefit of the knitters, their families and the wider community:
•Education
•Eye tests
•Health
•HIV/AIDS Counselling
•Friends of Kenana
We are looking forward to bringing this fantastic range of Kenana Knitters' products to the Australian market. Have a look at a sample of their work here.
EDUN LIVE - suppliers of African made T-shirts
When you buy a t-shirt from One Colour you will almost certainly find "made in Uganda (or Lesotho)" screenprinted in to the neck. So why do we think it's so important to buy t-shirts made in Africa?
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In 1980 the continent of Africa accounted for 6% of world trade. This figure dropped to less than 2% by 2002. Africans could earn an additional $70 billion in exports each year if its trade share increased by just one percentage point. Read on to find out other great reasons to wear African made.
The facilities edun LIVE use are located in countries such as Mauritius, Lesotho and Uganda. These factories are held to very high environmental and social standards, and are audited by their third-party monitoring organization Verite.
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Whenever possible organic cotton is used and edun LIVE constantly encourages and supports their farmers and other partners in the local communities to learn organic production. They partner with the Wildlife Conversation Society to form the Conservation Cotton Initiative, which aims to improve the livelihoods of African communities by investing in sustainably harvested "conservation cotton."
edun LIVE are committed and working to ensure that every individual involved in the production chain benefits from the purchase of each edun LIVE tee and that everyone from the farmer to the factory worker is given fair pay for his or her contribution.
AMANI YA JUU, KENYA
"higher peace" in Kiswahili
Founded in 1996, Amani ya Juu began with 3 women in Nairobi, Kenya. It has grown to embrace over 80 women from 18 different ethnic groups all across central and eastern Africa. Most of these women are marginalised and most carry the burdens of poverty, corruption and war. The intent of Amani ya Juu is to empower women physically and spiritually in these unjust conditions.
Inside the shop at Amani ya Juu with Maggie.
Amani ya Juu offers training in sewing and marketing for African women. The main project center is located in Nairobi, Kenya and here the women learn not just skills for earning a living but they also learn to work together whilst focusing on their faith in God, who provides a higher peace that transcends all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It is a privilege to visit this project and to see their beautiful hand dyed fabrics and hand crafted products. It is also wonderful to see how Amani ya Juu is sewing the seeds of peace into the hearts and lives of the women, strengthening and equipping them for life.
DOLLY CRAFT, KENYA
It was a joy to visit Dolly Craft again. The outreach project is run by the Sisters of St Joseph the Worker and provides space and skills training for the production of religious vestments and craft items. We are currently restocking these items and so they are not available on line right now.
Situated just next to the Kangemi township (15 minutes from Nairobi), the Sisters of St Joseph have provided a much needed haven where men and women can carry out their work. They have also set up a clinic which services the community. It is a privilege to bring the Dolly Craft products to customers in Australia.
Work space for the ladies at Dolly Craft (top) and the community clinic (above)
TARANGO IN BANGLADESH
Tarango is a Bangladeshi women's development organisation. One of the main projects Tarango is engaged in is their handicrafts programme which aims to assist highly disadvantaged semi and non-literate women from rural areas. Using fair trade principles, Tarango helps to market products whilst ensuring the women receive a fair wage.
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One of their most popular items is the large tote, made from recycled cement bags (pictured left). The women involved in the project are given training and assistance in quality control so that each bag is made to a consistent standard.
Through the fair trade process the Tarango women are given the opportunity to earn a living and so improve their socio-economic situation.
For more on Tarango, go to their website: www.tarango-bd.org
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