Sheltered workshop Karas Huisen Crafts in Namibia
People in Need (PIN) has operated in Southern Namibia since January 2004. At the beginning of 2009, the sheltered workshop took the first steps towards independence. This process led to the establishment of the local non-profit organization Karas Huisen Crafts (the word Huisen means “help yourself” in the Nama language) with its own logo and identity. In the sheltered workshop, the “Wake Center” on the edge of Keetmanshoop, 30 women and 3 men (in 2010) have found jobs. Embroidery, bead decorating, textile dolls and ostrich shell paintings are all traditions of the Nama and the Bushmen, who live in the semi-desert area in southern Namibia. The workshop offers an opportunity for individuals to develop traditional craft skills, which many of the townspeople have lost over the years. The workshop enables the poor people who live within the Tseiblaagte slum to earn basic income for themselves as well as for their families. All proceeds from selling these products in the Czech Republic are sent back to the people of Keetmanshoop who originally made them. Namibia is a vast country with 2 million inhabitants spread between the South Atlantic and the Kalahari Desert. Namibia did not obtain full independence from South Africa until 1990. Abolishing apartheid brought freedom to the Namibians, but differences among the people remain. The picture of contemporary Namibia is comprised not only of diamonds, beautiful wildlife and interesting culture, but also of commercial farms which have remained in the hands of white farmers for generations, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB). Today, more than 20% of adults in Namibia are infected with HIV. The virus has unfortunately created 50,000 orphans, and the number climbs every day. Poverty, apathy and lack of education all contribute to the rising death-toll due to AIDS. The staff of PIN focuses on providing families affected by HIV/ AIDS and TB with social work services and psychological and financial support. In addition, PIN helps foster parents who take care of the orphaned children obtain social grants provided by the Namibian state and trains volunteers to care for patients. PIN also provides education in the form of games and trainings about HIV/AIDS for children growing up in slums. PIN, through the support of the Czech Republic's government, aims to reduce the social and economic consequences of HIV/AIDS in the Karas Region in southern Namibia. Purchase of this product means pleasure not only for you. THANK YOU. [Karas Huisen Crafts on Facebook](www.facebook.com/karashuisencrafts)
