Creating Opportunity for Darfur Women

Summary

The Baskets of Darfur project aims to support the livelihoods and dignity of Sudanese women who are living in Internally Displaced Persons camps in Darfur, Sudan.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The Baskets of Darfur project provides talented female artisans with sustainable income and access to markets. The project will address the needs of unemployed women living in camps by developing a stronger system of training and market support for women. “Creating baskets gives us a chance to be with other women and talk about our problems. We can laugh and forget the hardships we have suffered.” Zeinab, Kalma Camp

How will this project solve this problem?

Designed through a collaboration with the internationally renowned Crafts Center and in partnership with our ongoing effort in Darfur this project will provide training, materials and means to create an economic engine for social change.

Potential Long Term Impact

Roughly 50,000 beautifully woven handicrafts have been made and sold in local markets, CHF gift shops in Nyala and Khartoum, and abroad. Through this program, over 500 women living in IDP camps in Darfur have increased their incomes by 30%.

Project Message

By making handmade baskets an economically sustainable art form, our project is helping to keep this tradition alive during a time of insecurity.
- Jennifer Marcy, Manager, The Crafts Center at CHF International

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources