Face of Fair Trade: Wola Nani Crafts

by Zarah Patriana · 2008-12-02 14:43:00 UTC
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Yesterday, December 1st marked the 20th Annual World Aids Day. Every year, this day is dedicated to raising awareness of the global AIDS epidemic. For Wola Nani in South Africa, spreading AIDS awareness is a daily activity.

In South Africa, there are 6 million infected with HIV, making it the country with the largest HIV+ population. In 1994, Wola Nani (Xhosa for "we embrace and develop one another") was established to help bring relief to the communities hardest hit by the HIV crisis.

Formed at a time when there was a large pull-back on welfare spending and a huge increase in the number of HIV and AIDS cases, Wola Nani initiated programmes to help HIV+ people in the local community cope with the emotional and financial strains brought about by HIV and AIDS.Wola Nani focuses on the needs of HIV+ women and their children, Wola Nani’s services aim to ease the burden of HIV by enabling people living with the virus to respond positively and attain the skills to develop their own coping strategies.

One of the major projects that Wola Nani has is Wola Nani Crafts. Wola Nani Crafts came about as a response to the need for unemloyed, HIV+ women to generate an income. Operating under Fair Trade standards, from the start Wola Nani has provided a developmental and self-help approach that have enabled the crafters to take more control of their lives and achieve a better life for them and their families.

Over the years, Wola Nani has brought hope and success to several women living with AIDS. Compelling stories can be found including Pumla's story of living with AIDS and Wola Nani Crafts providing her with the power and independence of living as a single HIV+ mother that can now provide for her children.

Visit their site for more information about their Red Ribbon Campaign. Interested in their crafts? Here's one place to start looking.

Everyday, Wola Nani is raising AIDS awareness through more than talking about statistics but by bringing the South African HIV+ community to life and giving them a voice and hope for a truly positive future.

Zarah Patriana
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