Folk Art from Zimbabwe

One thing I learned when reading Half the Sky

by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

is that when a woman in a third world country

earns income, her status in the community grows

by leaps and bounds

and her family's economic position improves dramatically --

even more so than if her husband (if she has one)

earned the same amount of income.

That's because women are more likely to use resources

for their family unit, while men 

are more likely to address their own needs 

and desires first, putting the needs of

wives and children second.

That's why grass roots charities benefitting

women and girls' education and economic opportunities

are near and dear to my heart.

And if women are empowered through art,

well

that's even better.

So I was delighted to find

the Zimbabwe Artists Project

(a Portland, Oregon nonprofit)

represented at the Northwest Folklife Festival.

The folk art they produce is charming and naive

and quite reasonably priced.

The pieces -- wall hangings, paintings on board, little trays -- 

tell a story of village life, customs, and wildlife.

And each artist's story is told as well.

So if you're a lover of folk art

and you want to make a difference

in an artist's life,

please visit HERE and fill your shopping cart. 

You can see the artists and

read their stories.

And if you've decided

you've already got too much stuff

in your life,

there's a way to make a donation

instead of a purchase.

Please take time to explore their site

and see how the project

is making a difference.