Making a World of Difference

This article is a brief reflection on World Crafts and Arts - and the connection to my field of work.

In 1996 I had the privilege to be invited to an official trip to Jordan, meeting Her Majesty Queen Noor. During this trip, I had an opportunity to learn about her community outreach program: http://www.nooralhusseinfoundation.org/ . I was introduced to a whole new world of craftswomenship and culture. Queen Noor and her team have developed a system to organize nomadic tribes and get their precious works sold through her Foundation. We learned about various forms of weaving, carpets, baskets, beet works and much more.

The Jordan Design and Trade Center (JDTC) was founded in 1990 with support from USAID to advance the goals of the National Handicraft Development Program. It soon established itself as a model for other local NGOs. Since its founding, NHF has introduced to Jordan and the region innovative, dynamic and sustainable development models that harness the potential in individuals to create a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. And it has grown ever since...

Later when living in South Africa I could work together with similar local organizations while being active in community outreach programs, such as IMAGINE. Just look at what the non profit http://www.lovingafrica.com has to offer.

Through craftwork women express their natural creativity and generate skills and income, nurturing their families and developing their communities. There are many community upliftment programs mostly small scale motivated by self upliftment of the local people. http://www.drakensberg-tourism.com/arts-crafts.html.

Or http://www.kwaze-kwasa.com, dedicated to the impoverished AIDS-impacted communities, and http://www.forlife-worldwide.com/africa-art-crafts.html, 100% of site revenue goes to supporting the children of Africa. Help Support African Children!!

I am still faszinated about the huge range of beautiful crafts I have found ever since then all over the world... like NOVICA, In association with National Geographic http://www.novica.com/. Just google "world arts and crafts" and you will get over 30 million hits...

Another intersting link: http://www.worldcraftsvillage.com/

WorldCrafts is nonprofit and imports handcrafts from countries around the world and markets them in the US. When you purchase WorldCrafts you:
Assist more than 60 artisan groups (women and men) around the world who live in poverty in providing for their families and support artisan groups while buying meaningful gifts for your family and friends. WorldCrafts abides by and requires all partnering artisan groups to abide by Fair Trade Federation guidelines.

More informationis available at the World Crafts Council International http://www.wccwis.cl/modulos/miembro/quees.php