Meet our artisans at Khutsala™ Artisans
Expanding employment to lift people out of poverty, provide income and support to others through jobs is a central part of our plan to bring hope and help to the people of Eswatini.
Eswatini is a very poor country. It has the 7th highest income inequality in the world, at 54.6%. The proportion of people living in poverty is very high. Nearly 60% of the rural population lives below the national poverty line, living on less than US $1.9 a day. 20% are considered extremely poor. It is estimated that 70% of all Swazis are subsistence farmers, which means they mostly live off what they grow. However, persistent drought conditions in sub-Saharan Africa has prevented the regular planting of crops. No crops, no food.
Poverty and food insecurity lead to desperate people resorting to desperate measures. Young girls have been forced to have sex in return for food or to provide for their siblings. This inevitably results to unwanted pregnancies leading to higher rates of abandoned babies, higher chances of spreading STDs and HIV, and sex trafficking.
Poverty leads to crime. Poverty leads to hopelessness. Poverty kills.
Employment leads to safety. Employment leads to hope. Employment empowers.
Over 400 people are currently employed at Project Canaan through our farm, Kufundza Carpentry Center, and Lusito Mechanics projects as well as Khutsala Artisans, which trains and employs local Swazis in the art of bead craft and jewelry making. Since each Swazi provides for 7 other family members on average, over 2,800 people are impacted in surrounding communities. The vocational aspect of Project Canaan includes the opportunity for training and the promise of hope. Hope for a living wage, employment and the ability to care for family in a country mired in unemployment. Work gives us purpose. It nurtures dignity and self-worth. It can mean the difference between babies left on the side of the road and a family that remains intact.
In this week’s Share HOPE blog we wanted to introduce you to some of our artisans at Khutsala™ Artisans. Khutsala™ Artisans (Khutsala meaning “hard working” in the siSwati language) was created to provide profits that go towards caring for orphans and vulnerable children. This Heart for Africa™ initiative provides employment for women and men from all over the Kingdom of Eswatini. Each employee receives training in multiple areas including, but not limited to, bead craft, jewelry making, and ceramics. Each artisan is proud of their high-quality work, knowing that they are providing for their families as well as funds that help care for orphans and vulnerable children.
When you shop at Khutsala, you are not only receiving beautiful and authentic African jewelry and décor, but you are also helping us to continue to provide employment to the artisans, empowering them to provide for their families.
Gugu McFadden
Gugu was born and raised in Siteki by her father who passed away in 2016. Her parents were never married.
She came to Project Canaan in 2015 as a Beader at Khutsala. She got to work in roles of quality control, Senior Wrapper, Pottery barn and sales personnel at the gift shop. The love of arts has enabled her to be able to do most of the designs that Khutsala Artisans have.
She is able to take care of her daughter and loves her because she believes she never got to experience motherly love. She also takes care of her mother in prison.
Gugu believes in new beginnings in life because there is no future in the past.
Zweli Ginindza
Zweli was born and raised in the northern part of the country. He is 35 years of age.
In 2015 he started working at Khutsala as a junior wrapper and got promoted to be a senior framer.
Zweli is married with 2 children. Working has enabled him to build a house and put in electricity. He is also able to take care of his 5 siblings.
Being creative and having a positive mindset in life drives him to believe that tomorrow will be better than today.
Sifiso Hlophe
From Gebeni, a neighboring community, Sifiso dropped out of school in grade 9. He is 37 years old and lives with his mother and siblings since his father passed away.
In 2008 he started looking for jobs and became a headman to raise money for going back to school.
In January 2016, Sifiso started working at Khutsala Artisans as a junior wrapper. He currently works as a teacher to new artisans. Through his pay he was able to build his mother a house.
He is passionate about working with people and serving others with a good heart.
Sibongile Shabangu
Sibongilie is 58 years old. She is married and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
She began working at the Project Canaan Farm in 2014 before the drought in 2015.
In 2017, she got hired at Khutsala Artisans as a Beader and was able to send her kids to school. Her great achievement was wiring her home which brought safety in her home.
She is a bread winner since her husband lost his job in 2020. She loves farming and through it she is able to feed her family.
Sicelo Mañana
Meet Sicelo Manana. Sicelo was born deaf and he is also mute. His mother died when he was only 6-months-old.
The paternal father’s family sent Sicelo away to live with his maternal Grandmother (Gogo) who raised him. While he was never able to go to school, he was well cared for by a loving Gogo. From age 20-29 he was hired as a shepherd, however, he was poorly paid and poorly cared for by the people whose cattle he was caring for.
In February 2016, he was hired, and while communication is difficult, he is a fast learner and we are told he will be promoted from Junior Wrapper to Senior Wrapper. This young man loves his job, is a fabulous worker, and we give thanks to the Lord that He sent him to us.
Come and see all of the beautiful jewelry and home décor items that are designed and handcrafted by our artisans. Shop with purpose today and help us to continue to decrease poverty by providing these valuable employment opportunities in Eswatini.