Sheltered workshop Karas Huisen Crafts in Namibia
In the south of Namibia People in Need operates from January 2004. At the beginning of 2009 the sheltered workshop made first steps towards independency. This process led to establishment of local nonprofit organization Karas Huisen Crafts (word Huisen means in Nama language help yourself) with its own logo and identity. In the sheltered workshop, the “Wake Center” on the edge of Keetmanshoop, twenty women and three men (in 2009) have found jobs. Embroidery, bead decorating, textile dolls and ostrich shell paintings are all traditions that belong to the tribe of the Nams and the Bushmen, who lived 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 inocme for themselves as well as their families. Clear profit from selling these products in the Czech Republic is sent back to the people of Keetmanshoop who originally made these toys, embroideries and decorations. Namibia is a vast country with its 2 million inhabitants spread between the South Pacific and the Kalahari Desert. Namibia did not obtain full independence from South Africa until 1990. Abolishing apartheid brought freedom to the Namibians, but the differences among the people persist. The picture of contemporary Namibia is comprised not only of diamonds, beautiful wildlife, interesting culture, but also commercial farms which have remained in the hands of white farmers for generations, HIV/AIDS and TBC. Today, more than 20% of adults in Namibia are infected by HIV. The virus has unfortunately created 50,000 orphans and the number climbs every day. The persistence of poverty, apathy and the lack of education all contribute to the rising death-toll due to AIDS. People in Need staff focuses on providing families affected by HIV/ AIDS and TBC with social work services and psychological and economical support. In addition, PIN helps foster parents, who take care of the orphaned children, to obtain social grants which are 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. People in Need, 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: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karas-Huisen-Crafts/82112730779?ref=mf
