HHTH has been working in Zimbabwe for over 5 years
now. Part of that work has been with
our "Big Five Co-Op of Carvers." They
are very hard working men trying to get by under circumstances that seem
impossible at times.
Let me tell you part of the story of Stephen's
life.
(Stephen trades his carvings for his
daughter's school fees.)
His daughter, Michele was born deaf. This would
normally mean a fairly hopeless life for a child in this circumstance in
Zimbabwe. But Stephen has creatively
found ways to get Michele help so she can lead a more normal life. He found a
school for the deaf In Bulawayo that she can attend for $500. per semester
tuition. This includes her boarding, but she must bring her own food. She is learning bookkeeping skills to
prepare her for employment.
Additionally, Michele is a fine artist and loves to discover the world
through books.
Last year, Stephen asked HHTH if we could help with
Michele's tuition. He wasn't asking for a handout; he was asking to trade his
carvings for $300. worth of the tuition.
It was at the end of our stay there and there was no more money budgeted.
So we had to wait until this year.
(Though
Michele is deaf, she strives to live a productive and contributing life.)
This year, we were able to grant his request. Michele
had come to him crying, telling him she did not want him to injure his pride by
holding his hands out begging for money for her. He explained, "I am not begging
Michele. I am trading my carvings for
the part of tuition I was unable to provide." Michele is 18 and will be
graduating in a year. This is because when tuition could not be paid, she could
not go to school. And Michele is an excellent student earning all A's.
HHTH will be able to sell Stephen's fine carvings to
some lucky people, and help another person in need. It is the beautiful "circle
of life."
Ambrose is one of the "finishers." He receives rough shapes of a figure (in
this case, giraffes and elaborate bowls), and begins to shape them into an
intricate design. It is very tedious work that demands close attention to
detail. This produces a lot of sawdust that these guys unfortunately
inhale.
Most of them try to wear a mask, but when they can't
afford the masks, they just wear a bandana like the carver in the red T-Shirt did. I am sure this cannot be good for their lungs.
(David Wakatirinda works on a piece I commissioned him to do)
David is working with ironwood here. It is a very
hard and heavy wood that yields great results. He is at the stage that intricate
detail is worked in to the wood to add depth and imagination to his piece. This
one is called "Life In the Bush," and there are 8 bushmen in this exotic Baobab
tree engaged in their daily life. Very unique way to "hear" and see their
story.
(David's creative mind
transforms a block of wood into the busy life of Bush men at work in their
natural habitat).
Denzel is a wonderful young man and has a quick and
ready smile. His warmth and gentleness shines through the twinkle in his eyes.
About three years ago, his young wife died leaving him with their baby girl. His
work finds meaning in providing for his precious child. The endless, fine saw
dust is a hazard so CJ went on a mission to help, and found these goggles. What
a difference they made. You will see Denzel's fine artistic expression in the
many unusual and beautiful bowls we will bring back.
(Denzel works on bowls we ordered for HHTH.)
Each one of the artists have their speciality. Kennais is the "go to guy" for giraffes and
he also produces excellent, artistic bowls. He is a quiet, soft spoken man,
keeps his "nose to the grind stone"
and is really serious. Which all adds up to lovely finished products.
(Kennais is the giraffe man).
Jabulani is another "cream of the crop" talented
artist. His name actually means "happiness," which is true, because Jabulani is
always smiling with a twinkle dancing in his eyes. He usually carves large, three
dimensional pieces. He carved me a
large 3D piece that depicts the history of Zimbabwean slavery. A very dramatic
and awesome work. The work in the
photo was purchased by CJ and is a Bushman holding up the table top. His muscles
strain at the weight he is holding up. Very dramatic.
(Jabulani works on the Bushman table.)
Mashonga, still carves though we started him in the
chicken business. He is making me 4
hippos for my Noah's Arks.
(Mashonga carves hippos to go with the Noah's ark I ordered.)
These men are in need. They find it
impossible to make enough money to feed their family adequately.
This carver is hard at work, not even noticing the
state of his clothing. They do not
complain, they do not expect the impossible, they find some joy and contentment
in the small corners of life.
Like...their favorite food.
We cherish experiencing their appreciation of any little advantage
fate sends their way. When they saw us coming with 3 more days worth of their
favorite African food, a grin sliced through their faceand 36 carvers knew they
were getting an extra meal a day for the next
3 days.
(Vince, lugging another 25 Kgs of mealie to the "Carver's Kitchen.")
We can feel their full little tummies from where we
are. And it feels good!
(Looks like Vince is the designated cooker for the next 3 days.)
Thank YOU, for all the ways you help change lives.
Until next time...
From the Bush, Sidney
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