Genadendal Hand Weavers

Why Genadendal needs a modern weaving program -

The outlying Genadendal community is poverty stricken, under-educated and in dire need of a financial, social and educational injection that is not only insistent in uplifting the current standard of living, but also in remaining to do so into the future.
In basic terms: Genadendal needs an angel!
This rural town, once had a budding population of forerunning liberalists that gave slaves basic human rights where once our constitution did not recognize this….Genadendal is steeped in heritage beyond most similar communities ( see History: http://www.museums.org.za/genadendal/)

With the demographics indicating a predominantly colored community that sustains itself mostly on single female breadwinners reliant on migrant and seasonal working conditions, it is no wonder that the community has not risen from the downwards spiral that sub-standard conditions placed on the incumbent peoples of this rural town.

Seasonal work is a scarce commodity that fluctuates according to the agricultural industry. If a season is bad, there is no work – (or little to speak of). During winter, these positions are even less as harvesting ceases. With a stretch on available jobs, and the seasonality thereof, many breadwinners have to travel as far as the apple lands of Grabouw (+-70KM one way) in order to ensure a meal is on the table. This puts additional strain on the net earning of each laborer, as travel costs are often not included in the rural basic wage. With an average of 3-4 children per household, and an approximate population of 4500, the community is restrained in its ability to create an entrepreneurial drive. The women of Genadendal struggle to find the time to provide a better means of living and their children are growing up to follow a similar pattern.

This is no new finding within the broader context of employment issues in South Africa; however this community is bound by particularly strong societal ties and moral/work ethics.

Most families are members of one or other religious denomination and there exists a commonality of hope within the heart of Genadendal. The people are forever developing new and ingenious ways to assist their fellow person.
- A new health clinic was founded. This gives basic health aid to those who cannot afford other means of aid.
- A soup kitchen was started to provide wholesome and nutritious meals to the children of less fortunate families.
- A crèche was started to assist traveling/migrant parents with child care.

All these initiatives have sprouted from a desperate, yet enduring community that is looking for a hand up (not hand out). Genadendal is asking for help, and its people have shown that they are willing to grow the seed of opportunity by working for their futures (and their children’s children’s futures) with a relentless and dogmatic persistence.

With these traits, Genadendal is bound to make a success of any honest and pure project that works with their best interest in mind. 270 Years ago the peoples of Genadendal originally learnt how to make crafts from the missionaries who settled the area. This was their backbone to much of the Christian teaching that the early missionaries brought from Germany.
A Kraal Weaving project for Genadendal is ironically born from the same place. Looking at vastly improving the lives of 200+ women, this project has been adapted from a German weaving instructor’s course and tailored to include the practical elements of weaving. It is a craft and art similar to which the early missionaries did 270 years ago, except now it incorporates all the design and color of the modern day. It has already been actively introduced at Genadendal in Nov 2008, and now seeks to continue the good work that was started. Genadendal has started weaving. Its people are growing. We, as the Kraal Team are proud to be here to help along the way.
 

Directions

Take the N2 from Cape Town towards Caledon (up the East Coast). 5km's before Caledon turn left towards Genadendal/Greyton (clearly posted). Genadendal is 25km along this road. Opposite the entrance to the town, travel 500m and turn right into the weaving studio. You will see the building on your left. The Welcome is warm.