Jobs for 250 Impoverished Families in Swaziland

Kudvumisa Foundation has always strived to find unique opportunities in resources and skills that would provide viable opportunities for those locked in poverty in Swaziland to take advantage of.  In 2008 glass etching was introduced as a vehicle to spark imagination and creativity in rural Swazi youth. The program has continued since then training numerous young men and women in computer usage and glass etching skills.

To build on the existing base of glass etching expertise, a class of fourteen young men and women were invited to participate in a training for warm glass basic technique.  Glass fusing and slumping were combined to teach the possibilities of glass for art and jewelry.  The goal being to find young men and women who could develop the technical skills and have the passion to create custom art for sale here in Swaziland. 

Thabile was one young woman who participated.  From deep rural Swaziland, she was extremely shy and quiet around her mostly urban peers.  But given the chance and platform to be creative, Thabile was able to create some beautiful pieces of glass art and jewelry. Thabile has a family to take care of at her homestead. With little means to earn money, many nights, the entire family goes to bed hungry. With the new skills and the opportunity to design and create glass art, Thabile now has the opportunity to earn extra money for her family.

Kudvumisa Foundation has always been committed to making the connection between skills and resources and markets. The glass art opportunity Thabile participated in will have a direct impact on her family financially and her personally as she can make a contribution to their wellbeing: a concrete step in bringing “hope to the hopeless” in impoverished and isolated areas of Swaziland.

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