AFRICAN THREADS
Embroidered textiles from Women in South Africa
In July 06, I heard Stephen Lewis talk about his work with HIV/AIDS in Africa and I felt compelled to do a small part to help alleviate the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic. Having grown up in South Africa, the issue touches me. I purchase these embroideries direct from organized sewing groups of South African women who make them. They are well paid for their fine work. In addition, I donate 15% of the profits to the Grandmother-to-Grandmother Campaign run by the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In 2007 I donated $1,600.
Your purchase of a textile is directly helping these needle-workers to make a desperately needed income for basic survival. A vital economic flow is created so the women can continue to produce their art. In addition, many pieces are made using African grown cotton, thus supporting the struggling cotton industry. African Threads has the following vision and mission:
- To provide economic empowerment to women artisans by marketing their work.
- To operate in the spirit of “Fair Trade” principles.
- To commit a 15% portion of the profits to the SLF Grandmother Campaign, so funds go back to projects in Africa.
Please keep visiting this page to see what new textiles are on offer. Better yet, send me an email and I’ll notify you when a new consignment arrives and please help spread the word about this project.
The stitched threads in these beautiful hangings symbolize the strength of the grandmothers who, in dire conditions, hold their fragile families and communities together by caring for the millions of orphans left behind by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For many of the women stitching embroidery is their only means of support. Recently a facilitator of one of the groups told me:
”The artists are delighted with the extra money. You cannot imagine what it does to their self esteem to hear that their work is appreciated. As you know these people are abjectly poor and mostly live in shacks built from cardboard and corrugated iron sheeting. They are thrilled at your response and it has spurted them on, and motivated them… the praise and the quick sales from an outside source has inspired them to tackle their work with added gusto!!"
I find these hangings so charming, optimistic, and poignant. It takes months for the pieces to be stitched and shipped to Canada, so please be patient with this reality. I’m working hard to get new pieces on line and bring you work from additional groups. Everything is one of a kind and never repeated. Thank you for your wonderful support for this project.
 Please visit africanthreads.etsy.com for more items.
To purchase textiles please email me
. You can pay by cheque or Pay Pal (I'll send you a Pay Pal Invoice). $5 will be added to each order to cover shipping and handling in Canada and the U.S.
To find out more about HIV/AIDS in Africa, how to start a Grandmother-to Grandmother Group, and to donate directly to the Campaign, please visit the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
 Stephen Lewis Foundation
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