Stitching Hope Together

Being faced with difficulties such as unemployment and having children to feed can seem hopeless, but not for the women of Oasa Taradi Trust, who produce beautifully embroidered table adornment and through doing so, take care of their families.

A sewing project that started in 1989 by the Red Cross has evolved into a successful arts and crafts enterprise for the women of Oasa Taradi. It began as a project to engage underprivileged Namibian women to sew and repair clothes using sewing machines donated by the Red Cross. Today fourteen women, all who are single mothers, make up Oasa Taradi Trust and embroider beautiful iconic Namibian wildlife and plants onto tablecloths, serviettes, placemats and more for both the local and international market.

According to Josephine Nakapipi, a sales consultant for Oasa Taradi Trust at the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek, “Women are making a living out of making these beautiful crafts, they are paying their children’s school fees out of this.”

Oasa Taradi means busy women in Nama Damara and the busy women of the trust are paid for each item they embroider. Josephine explains that the project, which is based in Katutura provides an income to women who are the bread winners for their families.

Josephine says she is inspired by the people in her community, like the women at the Oasa Taradi Trust who have found ways to rise above their circumstances through crafts and determination. “I am inspired by people who are determined and want to do something out of their lives” adds Josephine.

Find Oasa Taradi Trust at the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek at 40 Tal Street or through their website by clicking here : Namibia Craft Centre

Email Oasa Taradi Trust at rohwer@iway.na

MYD Art is proudly brought to you by Bank Windhoek.