While we were in Port Macquarie last week, we stopped in to one of my favourite shops there – Community Projects Worldwide. I generally have to leave my purse with Husband, as I could (or should I say would?!) happily spend a vast sum of money in there.
The mission of Community Projects Worldwide is “to establish a market for products made by community groups, self help groups or individuals, from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds. In the process creating employment, and a better quality of life for the artisans, employees and their families and communities.
I love their motto of
The kids and I decided to buy one of the Telephone Wire Baskets – it’s purpose: to hold Husbands wooden puzzles for all to play with. These telephone wire bowls are created in a subsistence farming area in Africa, where unemployment is close to 80%. The project has helped to build a creche for the community, implement a food scheme and has also helped some of the older boys of the community to put themselves through school.
Since the bowl has graced our table we’ve admired it from all angles, marveled at the work that has gone in to creating it and declared that we wouldn’t be able to make one ourselves. Definitely artwork worthy of a spot in Magnifique Monday.
You can find out more about the work of owners Murray and Pru McMillan and Community Projects Worldwide here (as well as shop the beautiful products – although I think leaving your purse with your Husband will be futile) or like them on Facebook here.
