Most women in rural African communities are vulnerable and today over 65% of these women face challenges that arise from polygamy, divorce, inheritance, HIV/AIDS, poverty, and widowhood. Many of their husbands have more than one wife, stay out in local bars drinking and don’t give enough family support which causes women to work so hard in gardens to earn household incomes and food to eat.

As Pumziko, we saw a need and started a Women Crafts Program to support these vulnerable women with hands-on skills in crafts and tailoring that they can earn house hold incomes for their self-sustenance. This program has increased a spirit of unity among women in local communities as they work together for their development and families. It has also been easy to mobilize them for more skills development through formal adult health education, praying with them and teaching them the word of God.

Crafts made include mats, bracelets, baskets, dresses, shirts and many more which they sale and earn income. A piece of these crafts costs between $10 and $15 which is enough for their household income. Local markets do not have the capacity to have these crafts consumed but once these crafts are sold out by our friends in the western world, they can earn some good income.