Project Launch:

A $199 grant from World Connect’s Kids to Kids program supported a youth artisan group of the local Cultural Club that studied jewelry making and graphic design from the NGO “Aid to Artisans”. The local artisan group formed in March 2009 and has 20 youth between the ages of 14-18 participating. The economic situation in the area is difficult and learning new skills and developing businesses give youth a creative outlet and economic opportunity. Many youth think their only viable economic option is to leave the country to make money and they are generally negative about their prospects locally. Working with the artisan jewelry group has not only allowed many of these youth to be in leadership positions for the first time but to begin to think as creative community leaders. The group independently decided that 50% of its profits from sales will be reinvested into the group for tools and supplies and 50% will go directly to the artist. In the future, the group plans to visit markets and fairs in other cities to sell their products.