This evening I learned about a wonderful non-profit project in
Namibia (Africa),
Work of Our Hands, while reading through my most current issue of
Interweave Crochet.
Valerie Garber thought her life was perfect in the spring of 2002: she had a loving husband, a great art studio and plenty of time to explore her passion for crafts. But, by the end of 2002 she found herself in Namibia...
After a few months of grieving her losses, homesickness, and wondering what she would do with herself in a country where it's hard to even find art supplies, she new she had to get a grip and make the best of things!
Suddenly, in Africa she had a thought "Maybe there's a reason for my eccentricity and for all the seemingly unrelated skills I have required over a lifetime. I can teach most any kind of art or craft skill". When she learned that most crafts being sold to tourists in Namibia were imported from South Africa, she wondered if there could be a market niche for craft products made by Namibians.
Work of Our Hands was born! The students chose to learn beadwork and today most of their beadwork is combined with crochet. Visit
Work of Our Hands for more info and find out how you can help!
