A project created to empower women and give them the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, Afrikan Wear Design has had a positive impact on so many lives. Founded in 2015, the project offers widows, single mothers and young women sewing machines and a place to grow their skills and create and design their own clothes, jewellery and more.
Last week, a few volunteers from Viva Tanzania, Jen, Ryan and Nicole, were lucky enough to visit Afrikan Wear Design. The project itself is easy to get to, only a short dala dala ride away and a five minute walk from the main road.
They were immediately welcomed by Mama Stevens with a warm smile and made to feel right at home before given a tour of the work space.
Then, it was time for Ryan to attempt to make a scarf using a very intricate machine. To put it kindly, he was not good.. But it was a brilliant experience and one that helped put in to perspective the kind of skill people at Afrikan Wear Design possess.
Retiring from scarf making, it was now time for Jen, Ryan and Nicole to get into the jewellery business. Sat together in the shade, the two volunteers and Mama Stevens got to work. Once again, it was clear that there was a lot to learn as Mama put together two double anklets in the space it took Nicole to create half of one!
The work created by the people at Afrikan Wear Design is not only beautiful and well made, but helps a good cause. Be sure to visit our shop at Nyumbani Hostel to have a look at the incredible work, or if you want a custom piece, let us know and we can work with the Mamas to get this created for you.
They were immediately welcomed by Mama Stevens with a warm smile and made to feel right at home before given a tour of the work space.