Covid Crisis Support for Tsandza Weavers & Jorova
Donation protected
Tsandza Weaving in Eswatini (Swaziland) and Jorova Craft in Kenya need our help to endure the Covid-19 crisis. Many people are struggling during these unprecedented times. For artisans across Africa who make their living from the craft sector, going without work during a stay at home order means living without an income which is so vital to covering their families basic necessities. Please help support these amazing women so that the vulnerabilities of poverty they already confront are not made worse by the Covid-19 crisis. Will you please consider helping to urgently raise 3 months of crisis support to help 39 artisans meet their basic needs so they can care for themselves and their families?
Tsandaz Weaving - Tsandza employs 27 people including 20 artisans, 4 retail assistants, and 3 operations staff. Tsandza suspended production and temporarily closed their two shops on March 24th. They are doing everything possible to ensure the health of their staff and to get ahead of the virus spread across Eswatini. When the weaving workshop closed artisans were paid March salaries and sent home with care packages of soaps, disinfectants, and some basic medications. But many live in homesteads with up to 15 people where social distancing is nearly impossible and basic necessities of food and medicine are a priority.
Jorova Craft - Jorova operates a small shop and craft export business in Nairobi Kenya. They are in need of crisis funding for 11 artisans. They shared this about their current situation:
"We have been faced by a situation that is making us so worried and anxious about the next day. Even though we have for years been shaken by terrorists attacks and post election violence, we could work but cautiously. This time is terrible because we cannot even take our products to market as we used to do because the market is now closed. All our creativity and efforts is now stuck in our houses. The ladies were devastated to learn the closure of the shop because it really helps all of us. It was so difficult for me and the staff especially when they were wondering what will happen next when there are no orders coming forth."
After 17 years working with artisans in the craft sector around the world we know how vital this work is to supporting vulnerable families in developing countries. The artisans at Tsandza and Jorova depend on their incomes and don't have another safety net to support them through these hard times. Won't you help us to lift them up and be that safety net?
We have set a goal of raising $10,000 for these organizations to provide 3 months of crisis support for their artisans' basic needs. If we are able to raise more we will include other artisan communities who need our help and will update the groups' information here.
Please consider giving a donation of any amount, as well as writing words of encouragement which we will share with the artisan you are supporting. Also, please consider sharing this appeal with your friends who might be able to help.
We are all in this together.
Tsandaz Weaving - Tsandza employs 27 people including 20 artisans, 4 retail assistants, and 3 operations staff. Tsandza suspended production and temporarily closed their two shops on March 24th. They are doing everything possible to ensure the health of their staff and to get ahead of the virus spread across Eswatini. When the weaving workshop closed artisans were paid March salaries and sent home with care packages of soaps, disinfectants, and some basic medications. But many live in homesteads with up to 15 people where social distancing is nearly impossible and basic necessities of food and medicine are a priority.
Jorova Craft - Jorova operates a small shop and craft export business in Nairobi Kenya. They are in need of crisis funding for 11 artisans. They shared this about their current situation:
"We have been faced by a situation that is making us so worried and anxious about the next day. Even though we have for years been shaken by terrorists attacks and post election violence, we could work but cautiously. This time is terrible because we cannot even take our products to market as we used to do because the market is now closed. All our creativity and efforts is now stuck in our houses. The ladies were devastated to learn the closure of the shop because it really helps all of us. It was so difficult for me and the staff especially when they were wondering what will happen next when there are no orders coming forth."
After 17 years working with artisans in the craft sector around the world we know how vital this work is to supporting vulnerable families in developing countries. The artisans at Tsandza and Jorova depend on their incomes and don't have another safety net to support them through these hard times. Won't you help us to lift them up and be that safety net?
We have set a goal of raising $10,000 for these organizations to provide 3 months of crisis support for their artisans' basic needs. If we are able to raise more we will include other artisan communities who need our help and will update the groups' information here.
Please consider giving a donation of any amount, as well as writing words of encouragement which we will share with the artisan you are supporting. Also, please consider sharing this appeal with your friends who might be able to help.
We are all in this together.
Organizer
Stacey Edgar
Organizer
Lakewood, CO