RECYCLED BAGS BY REMARKABLE WOMEN
Some people believe that making a difference in the world takes a whole army. Others believe that one person alone can make all the difference. In this reality, it’s not one or an army, but 9 strong willed and inspiring women that make the difference in their own world and those around them. These ladies have been brought together by the happenstance of their lives to all work for the same company, SEW; Supporting and Empowering Women. They not only see SEW as a sustainable job they can be proud to work at, but a place of stability and hope.
SEW is a development organization that employs women who are HIV-positive and is located in Arusha, Tanzania. The organization is sustained by the 9 women producing individual, hand-made bags that are made out of recycled materials; sisal, recycled plastic food product bags, recycled African cloth. Some of the materials used by the women are donated from companies within the community. All of the handcrafted bags are unisex, durable, colourful and suitable. They share a multi-purpose to be given as gifts, used for grocery bags, a book bag and much more. There are various styles of the bags created by the women such as the laptop bag, conference bag and long strap satchel.
Making their stories heard is the main priority for these women. They have lived and overcame many hardships in their life as a result of this terrible disease. Sew has given them back their dignity to have the ability to provide food on the table for their families and a place of belonging when they felt alone or isolated from society.
Without SEW, most or all of these women could not have had the life they have now and future for their families. Most job opportunities would not hire them because of the disease they possess. These 9 amazing women are only a small number of the many others suffering from HIV in Tanzania. Their voices not only create a huge impact on their own lives, but the lives of many. They touch hearts with their life stories and make the horrific disease known to many across the world. They are an inspiration for the fight of survival. They don’t view themselves as heroic, but pride themselves on doing what they needed to do for their families. They themselves are making a difference in their own lives.
SEW is a development organization that employs women who are HIV-positive and is located in Arusha, Tanzania. The organization is sustained by the 9 women producing individual, hand-made bags that are made out of recycled materials; sisal, recycled plastic food product bags, recycled African cloth. Some of the materials used by the women are donated from companies within the community. All of the handcrafted bags are unisex, durable, colourful and suitable. They share a multi-purpose to be given as gifts, used for grocery bags, a book bag and much more. There are various styles of the bags created by the women such as the laptop bag, conference bag and long strap satchel.
Making their stories heard is the main priority for these women. They have lived and overcame many hardships in their life as a result of this terrible disease. Sew has given them back their dignity to have the ability to provide food on the table for their families and a place of belonging when they felt alone or isolated from society.
Without SEW, most or all of these women could not have had the life they have now and future for their families. Most job opportunities would not hire them because of the disease they possess. These 9 amazing women are only a small number of the many others suffering from HIV in Tanzania. Their voices not only create a huge impact on their own lives, but the lives of many. They touch hearts with their life stories and make the horrific disease known to many across the world. They are an inspiration for the fight of survival. They don’t view themselves as heroic, but pride themselves on doing what they needed to do for their families. They themselves are making a difference in their own lives.
