Season of Hope

Kate Gray

2008
The Positive Beadwork Project is celebrating its 5th season of beading the Star of Hope - and how wonderful it is that there is still a growing demand for our 'flagship' product. Besides the Cornucopia of rich and varied designs created by the mothers, a company in the UK, and another in the USA, have ordered custom designed stars for their cards this year. We have to remind ourselves to hang onto this spirit of hope when challenges arise. One such occasion was in June this year when, quite unexpectedly, our Red Cross Society stalwarts, Eunice Majola and Lumka Khula (see previous article) were told that they were being sent for further training and, at very short notice, would no longer be available to help manage the project. I was devastated as I realised how much we had relied on their commitment to the project since its inception and felt dejected at the thought of managing without them. However it has really led to new opportunities and we are delighted that Joyce Maneli, one of the original mothers in the project, has taken on the position of floor manager. She was an invaluable helper a few years ago, and then left the team when she had an opportunity for further training and a part-time job in HIV support work. We have been able to offer her a new challenge and to benefit from her long experience in the project, her good relationship with the other mothers, and to develop her competent management skills . It is really exciting that this position is now held by 'one of our own'.

Another new challenge has been establishing a satellite project at the Crossroads Clinic. This is envisaged as an extension of Positive Beadwork, and not an independent project such as we are helping establish in an HIV clinic in Paarl. Such initiatives are possible provided the orders from our loyal customers, and the new contacts that we have made through the website, continue to come in. With over 100 women now dependent on the project for the security of a small income each week we are constantly requiring new orders. New products include a twisted beaded AIDS ribbon, and tie wristbands (see the updated www.kidzpositive.org/beads).

Conference name-holders with beaded strings are still among our top selling products. The Positive Beadwork Project has received an Impumelelo Award at a ceremony in Cape Town's town hall on the 17th February. The Impumelelo Awards Trust rewards innovations in government and public - private partnerships that reduce poverty and address key developmental issues of national concern.

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Ndebele cards

Our new product 'Ndebele cards' feature beautiful ethnic designs on beaded squares with a pin attached so you are buying more than just a card and your purchase is supporting a family affected by HIV/AIDS. The beadwork can be worn as a brooch or pinned to a bag. The cards are R20 each and can be ordered from beads@kidzpositive.org or inquiries to
+27 21 686 9710.