Church of Bangladesh Social developement Programme(CBSDP) Crafts
CBSDP Purses and Shawls
These items have been made by young women at the Nobakoli Girls Craft School run by the (CBSDP).
Nobakoli is a Bangladeshi church project; based in Rajshahi, it was founded in 1995. It offers training – both residential (1 year) and non-residential (6 months) – to extremely marginalised girls and adolescents, disabled women and children, divorced women and former sex workers.
The training provides an opportunity to work for a fair wage, improve personal skills and, most importantly, give women and children real hope by allowing them to have a ‘fresh start’ in life.
CBSDP Bags
This item has been made by Bipul a craftsman whom the Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP) is supporting.
Bipul is Christian from the ethnic minority Garo tribe who reside in the North of Bangladesh. Until Anglican and Baptist missionaries reached them 200 years ago they were head hunters, but now they are almost 100% Christian with a vibrant faith. Once the only people in this part of the country they have lost most of their land and are marginalised. CBSDP-Halluaghat works in this area to uplift the rural poor, prioritising the Garos. They have many rich traditions as can be seen in their beautiful cloths and crafts which are used in their colourful dances. This is reflected in these handmade bags. Bipul obtains much of his cloth for his crafts from traditional weavers from within his community.
Herbal Garden
Aloe Vera has been known and used for many centuries as a medicinal plant for treating Acne, eczema, Pimples, Burns and many other skin ailments. This effective Herbal Soap heals, freshens, revitalizes, and helps the skin maintain its natural healthy balance. It is formulated with minimum processing to allow the plants natural component to provide the highest level of natural skincare activity.
Herbal Garden employs poor farmers on the arid lands of Northern Kenya to grow and harvest the Aloe Vera plants. As a 'Business as Mission' company Herbal Garden provides employment and builds community through its business activities in Kenya. All profits from the sale of this soap in the UK are donated to Faith2Share.
Herbal Garden uses Aloe Vera extracts from organically grown Aloe Vera in East Africa. The Aloe Vera Project's objective is to combat mass poverty through sustainable solutions by addressing out stakeholders focus on meeting Spiritual, Social, Environmental and Economic goals.
Faith2Share is a charity which supports Christian leaders in mission and helps them to support each other. We have a primary focus on African, Asians and Latin American Christians whom God is calling into mission - working with them to envision and resource local churches for mission. As an international network of 16 established mission agencies (including all the CMS missions) Faith2Share is actively working with over 4,500 missionaries in over 60 countries, encouraging collaboration for effective use of all our resources in mission. You can find out more information at www.faith2share.net .
Kitgum Crafts
For over two decades the population of northern Uganda has been terrorised by the 'Lord's Resistance Army' (LRA). Over the years, more than 1.6 million people were displaced and some 30,000 children were abducted. In the last three years, tortuous peace negotiations have led to large numbers of people leaving displacement camps to return home and a downturn in the violent activities of the LRA, at least in Uganda.
However, a final peace agreement is far from settled and the people of northern Uganda and surrounding countries where the LRA is still at large, need our prayers more than ever. The war has left a far-reaching legacy of deep trauma among former abductees.
Kitgum Crafts produce and sell small crosses. These crosses are made from Cwa wood by former abductees in the diocese of Kitgum, Uganda. Cwa tree branches are used by the LRA to torture abductees.
By buying a cross, which can be worn around the neck or used in other ways, you are helping CMS to fund peace and reconciliation work in Northern Uganda.
Kiwoko Crafts
Kiwoko Crafts have a wide range of unique hand made products. Every item takes time and is individual in size, colour and outfit.
The crafts offered are made by a group of HIV+ women, who meet every Wednesday at Kiwoko Hospital Resource-Center.
In addition to generating an income for themselves, the ladies are also able to share the struggles of living with HIV, knowing that they are accepted. Hospital Staff provide support and counselling plus training and coordination of the crafts.
The ladies receive free materials to make the crafts and are paid weekly. They use this money to buy food, pay school fees and uniforms for their children. A small percentage of the sales are directed into Kiwoko Hospital running costs.
The products are made from recycled paper and natural fibres including maize husks, banana bark and leaf and palm leaves.
Neema Crafts
The Neema Crafts Centre in Iringa, Tanzania, founded in 2003 by CMS mission partner Susie Hart, specialises in making beautiful, original, contemporary African crafts, unlike anything you will find elsewhere; these include weaving, beading, recycled glass and candle-making and hand-made paper products from recycled paper and natural fibres - including maize husks, pineapple leaves and even elephant dung! All those making the products are young deaf and disabled people who would otherwise have been left marginalised by society.
At the heart of Neema Crafts is the vision to transform communities by providing handicrafts training and employment for deaf and physically disabled people within the Iringa region of Tanzania. The work started in 2003 from one room with three young deaf lads and a sack of elephant dung. The centre has now become a beacon of hope for more than 80 people with disabilities, who have been given the opportunity to see their lives transformed through practical work that demonstrates what it means to share Jesus and see lives changed. Neema has also challenged public attitudes towards people with disabilities, as local employers are invited to see how skilled the workers quickly become when given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Click here to watch a video about Neema Crafts and the work that they do.
The centre has no ongoing financial support from any outside sources, so its entire running costs - including the wages of all the disabled trainees and staff - have to be covered by sales of the products they make. This means that they work hard to make high quality items for which there is a genuine demand. As with any business they know that it is essential to keep improving their products, raising standards and varying the range available. Neema wants its customers to keep coming back and finding new and exciting lines! When you buy from Neema Crafts you can be sure you are buying fairly traded, ethically made and environmentally conscious products, which also give a livelihood to people who have been marginalised.
Siwok Crafts
SIWOK is the Wichi Indian name for the red-crested woodpecker, typical of the Chaco forest in Northern Argentina and prominent in the native mythology. It is the symbol of their fine craftsmanship.
For centuries the Wichi Indians have lived in the scrub forest of Northern Argentina as hunter/gatherers. Now this way of life is threatened by the relentless advance of civilisation. The forest is being chopped down and many Indians thrown off their land, or they have difficulty pursuing traditional methods of finding food. There are few jobs.
They have turned to craft production as a means of survival and keeping their culture alive. All items are hand-crafted in four scented local hard woods, beautifully finished and polished, thus enabling them to continue living in the forest and able to work in their own homes. Each item is unique as craft is handmade and there is a variation between each item. Also dimensions are approximate. By purchasing Siwok Crafts you help the Indians survive in their native land while they earn a living wage in their harsh environment, maintain self-respect and retain their culture and thus restore their dignity.
The woods and material used are: Green Palo Santo (holy wood; Red Quebracho (axe breaker); Black Guayacan; Yellow; Mora(All are scented hard woods); White Cow bone.
SIWOK Crafts Ltd is recognised by BAFTS (The British Association for Fair Trade Shops) as being a Fair Trade supplier and an approved importer.