"Maji" means water and this special collection was designed in support of Waterfirst - $5 from each item sold was donated to Waterfirst.
All items are handcrafted in Kenya's Kibera slums providing income opportunities to artisans striving to break the poverty cycle.
Sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities continues to be a pressing issue in Canada.
I was fed up by this desperate need in our own country and had to do something. I designed these pieces to represent a drop - first, it is a water drop as a reminder of the communities here in Canada that still need clean water. Second, it also represents a tear drop for the tears of anger and frustration and sadness in this terrible situation.
I chose Waterfirst as the organization we would donate to because:
-like us, they started their work in Uganda, and then realized there is also so much work to be done here in our own country and shifted their model. Likewise, we continue to partner with artisans in Kenya and Uganda - but we want to also recognize and work here in Canada and have done so on several projects, and by promoting the work of local artisans in our store.
-this part was very important to me and so I am going to paste from their website to make sure I get it right: "Water First is guided by the Indigenous youth and young adults who participate in our programs, our Indigenous staff and board members, local Indigenous community partners, and by members of our Indigenous Advisory Council. "
