Micro Finance in a Material World

Because of my involvement with the group up in Red Hill and bead work at Living Grace, I have been doing a lot of research on micro finance organizations working with artisans to start businesses. The organizations below are only a handful of a long list of non profits doing wonderful things in their respective communities.

The first is Quazi Design, a jewelry company specializing in paper and Eco-conscious accessories. The paper beads themselves aren't the best I've seen, but the marketing idea is amazing! (http://www.pureswazi.com/eshop/index.php?cPath=33)

Paper Bead Earrings (LOVE this!)

Another organization in South Africa, is Learn to Earn in Khayelitsha and Hermanus (Khayelitsha is the largest township in Cape Town.) Similar to Living Way, Learn to Earn works to teach skills training but also focuses on job creation (http://www.learntoearn.org.za/) I'm not in love with their designs but I really like what the organization is doing for local artisans. Also check out "The Feel Good Store. Based in Claremont, Cape Town, the store has been trading since 7 May 2009. Stocking re-conditioned customer returns, limited samples, rejects and over-runs from the various Foschini Group brands, the project aims to fight poverty by training unemployed people in skills relevant to the retail supply chain. In addition to the retail shop, there is also a warehousing and production component to the project. Steady sales, successful recruitment and retention of previously unemployed people in all aspects of the project, positive customer feedback as well as the fact that every cent made goes back into the project, makes this initiative a sustainable model for success." (http://www.tfg.co.za/csi/projects/tfgs.asp)

Of the many organizations I've looked at one US non profit stood out in regard to micro finance for arts in developing countries: Aid to Artisans in West Hartford, CT (http://www.aidtoartisans.org/)

Pressed Leaf Card from El Salvador

Short list of other organizations worth checking out:
Women Thrive Worldwide http://www.womenthrive.org/
Mercy Corps http://www.mercycorps.org/
Opportunity International http://www.opportunity.org/
HOPE International http://www.hopeinternational.org/site/PageServer
CARE http://www.care.org/
ONE http://www.one.org/us/

This afternoon, I am headed back up to Red Hill to lead a follow up skills/business training course. They are setting up a table at Living Hope to sell jewelry during a fundraiser event this weekend. They need some marketing help as well as basic business (expenses, sales..) I'm honestly a bit disappointed in their choice of buying beads instead of making them, it's not the most sustainable option for their community. I am interested in seeing how much thought they have put into the reality of starting a business. Most importantly they are excited, so be praying that they do well in order to maintain enthusiasm for creating work to sell.

Update Nov. 21, 2010: I just spoke with Al (long term volunteer) and asked how the sale went this weekend. Apparently the ladies didn't sell anything, not because the work wasn't good, but because they were more interested in walking around to see the other tables were selling. So I am encouraged that they saw what the market is like and were able to walk to mall to see how expensive beads really are. They said that this was a good experience and they want to learn how to make recycled beads as well as set up a road side stand near the bus stop (at the bottom of Red Hill.) I will be making one more trip up there before I leave Cape Town to teach a bead making workshop/business training and marketing follow up session.

Empty home in Red Hill

Church next to the Living Hope container (Middle Camp)

Tammy (6 mo. Volunteer) and me with some of the Red Hill kids!