聯繫世界
回應需要
作為一名烏干達難民，17歲的Madina面臨一大堆痛苦的選擇。她和家人為了躲避南蘇丹戰爭而逃亡，但她和四個年幼妹妹的生活，無以為繼。母親要求她快些結婚，希望以新娘禮金維持生計。Madina並不想僅僅為此而結婚，因此她尋找各種工作機會，賺錢分擔家庭的重擔。
然而身為難民，沒讀過多少書，又沒有接受過太多訓練，她不能奢望一份安穩像樣的工作。
國際十字路會運送了一批物資到Madina生活的市鎮，我們在當地的合作夥伴，覺得Madina可以從中得到幫助。他們給了Madina一個“創業起步錦囊”，她可以利用裏面的物品，開創屬於自己的小型服裝生意。現在，她擁有一盤流動小生意，逐家逐戶銷售衣服。
“你們和其他人不同”，她充滿感激地告訴他們。“你們讓我在異地感受到關懷。有了這盤小生意，我不用強迫自己結婚就可以供養母親，還可以為妹妹們交學費。你們改變了我們的人生。”
同一批物資裡，還包括為三家學校提供的家具，以及大量貧困至極的家庭的生活必需品。
“你們為很多面孔帶來了笑顏，”當地的非政府機構告訴我們。“你們幫助原本絕望的人重拾希望。”
The Sudanese Civil War killed more civilians than any other conflict since World War 2. Two million Sudanese people died – an incredible 20% of the population – from war or the disease and famine it caused.
For those Sudanese who managed to escape the war, home in a new nation turned out to be almost as difficult as what they left behind. Life in Sudan meant torture, forced starvation, landmines, death of loved ones and losing their homes. But life as a refugee in a new country can mean discrimination, violent racial attacks, unemployment and poverty. The tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees that settled in nearby Egypt have found it extremely difficult to get a job, and care for their families. Simply to make enough to eat, they accept work in illegal, unsafe conditions, or with dismally low pay.
Tukul Crafts, in Cairo, Egypt saw this need, and wanted to give refugees the opportunity to use their existing skills to make a fair and sustainable living for themselves. The clothes and household items that Tukul artisans produce are bright and hopeful: a reflection of the hearts of the people who make them. Their screenprinted designs are intentionally rustic and traditional, the colours bold, and the textiles sturdy and strong.
From tea towels to travel bags, from aprons to coin purses, Tukul offers a beautiful range of products that Global Handicrafts is proud and pleased to be able to offer in our online store, and in a fuller range, instore at our shop.
