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THE ZULU BEADWORK PROJECT
Approximately
1 in 3 South African adults is unemployed. The Zulu Beadwork Project
helps to empower women by providing them with jobs and paying them a
very fair wage. The women make the jewelry in their homes, allowing
them to care for children as they work. Employment is a vital tool in
the prevention of HIV/AIDS because it dissuades women from engaging in
risky behavior for money and empowers them as individuals.
All Zulu Beadwork jewelry is handmade by Zulu women in South Africa.
The pieces are modern versions of traditional Zulu and Xhosa
jewelry. Zulu Beadwork pays the women well above
"street prices" for their work in an effort to truly uplift them and
their families.
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According to UNAIDS, 21.5 percent of South African adults are HIV
positive. At the current rate of AIDS deaths, one in three South
African children could be orphaned by 2015. There is very
little government support for these orphans - most rely on the charity
of neighbors or small organizations. Three in four South African
children live in poverty, so although many families are willing to take
in orphans, few have the financial resources to do so.
Thembanathi purchases jewelry from Zulu Beadwork Project and sells them
in the US. All proceeds go back to South Africa to support
programs working with children made vulnerable or orphaned by AIDS.
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Zulu Beadwork Project Framework
“That's
why we do it, love, we love the people, their self expression through
the beauty of what they make. The Zulu are the most generous
and loving people. Their warmth is tangible."
Janet Shaw, director
Vision
The Zulu Beadwork Project's vision is for a fair, participatory, and
sustainable livelihood for all involved.
Mission
The Zulu Beadwork Project was inspired by the centuries-old beading
traditions of the Zulu and Xhosa nations in Southern Africa. It is made
up of 40 women who have been the art of creating fine beadwork by
elderly members of the communities. Together we work to create
contemporary designs.
We showcase this skill on a global level, create sustainable
employment, empowerment, and an integral sense of pride in ones
traditions.
Each piece of jewelry is made entirely by hand using only the finest
quality glass beads from Europe. We hope you enjoy the beauty of these
handcrafted jewels. |
The Six Zulu
Beadwork Project Principles
- FAIR SHARE: All participants involved in the
beadwork project should get their fair share of the income, in direct
proportion to their contribution.
- DEMOCRACY: All participants involved should
have the right and opportunity to participate in decisions that concern
hem.
- RESPECT: All involved in the project have a
right to the respect of human rights and cultural origination. This
includes:
- Safe and flexible working conditions and
practices: The women prefer to work from their homes in that true to
impoverished communities many of them are also responsible for the care
of the elderly and children orphaned by siblings through HIV aids.
Design meetings take place weekly.
- Promoting gender equality:
Culturally and historically South African women have not enjoyed
significant empowerment and freedoms. As women are traditionally the
bead-workers we generate income through an existing
skill.
- Understanding and tolerance of socio-cultural
norms
- RELIABILITY: The product delivered should be of
consistent quality standards.
- EDUCATION: We educate the beaders about
contemporary design trends and innovations, creating a sustainable
income base.
- SUSTAINABILITY: Increased knowledge through
capacity building; Improved sourcing; Economic viability through
responsible use of resources; fair yet competitive pricing.
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Further Notes from Janet
Regarding the Inspiration and Motivation for ZBP
Upon returning to South Africa in 2001 after 7 years of voluntary work
for a Shambhala Buddhist non-profit organization in the USA, I felt
moved by the continuing poverty and plight of those disadvantaged by
the apartheid legacy. Added to endemic poverty is the current pandemic
of HIV/AIDS, further destabilizing communities in an alarming way.
As I have always had a deep love and appreciation for the aesthetic of
South African cultures, I sought to create a work environment that
could be both a source of pride and income for all. Auspicious
coincidence led to the women involved in the project and in October
2005, we formalized our collaborations with the creation of the Zulu
Beadwork Project. We began with three products, currently we offer over
fifty products sold in South Africa, America, Europe, and Australia.
At present, our primary focus is to create sustainable income and a
raised standard of living as opposed to direct HIV/AIDS interventions.
We aspire that through creating greater economic freedom we are able to
positively impact the communities involved. Namely, the life span of
those infected with HIV/AIDS can be considerably extended if able to
afford proper nutritional and medical treatments.
A primary concern is women of African communities in South Africa
(often single parents) have the highest HIV positive and infection
rates. We hope to in any small way to reduce the number of AIDS orphans
and foster the continuation of healthy and sustainable family, clan,
and cultural inheritance. Equally important to the
Zulu Beadwork Project is to provide the economic circumstances for
those involved to afford their children the highest level of education.
In all of the above ways, we aspire and aim to enhance an African
cultural integrity and humanity that finds greater expression through
the manifestation of equal opportunity.
Thank you for any support you may consider offering to this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Janet Shaw
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