Getting Crafty

We’re always looking for ways to empower individuals. We do this largely in and through the schools we work with and in the communities that surround these schools. We had an idea a few months ago to start sewing some crafty things to help provide a bit of employment for local women but also with the hopes to sell these items to raise funds for Beyond Ourselves. 

There is a former pupil of Janna School, Norah, that I knew I wanted to give this sort of opportunity to. She has difficult home situation and is part of a family who regularly receives food parcels through Beyond Ourselves. I was interested in trying to teach her how to do some hand stitching as part of some of the ideas we had. We started with the basics and she has really taken off with it. She’s learnt a new skill and is earning a bit of money for her family as part of it. She seems to really be enjoying this work and we hope to get her paired with a local seamstress later this year so she can learn how to use a sewing machine as well.

We employed another woman part-time, Phyllis, to start working with us on a few different craft ideas, one of which is cushion covers. Norah does the hand stitching and Phyllis assembles the cushions.

We’ve been really excited about the results and a couple of months ago had a table at a local market day and have we have sold some items to some visitors passing through Zambia. We’ve also been making bunting, reusable gift bags, iPad cases and a few other bits and pieces.

We hope to start selling some of these items on our online store soon. We’ll be sure to let you know when they become available!