What we do
RecycloCraftz sells fair-trade products handmade by our artisans in Zambia. We pay all our artisans a fair wage. Once these products make it to the states, any profits we make go directly back into projects and programs in Zambia.
Projects and Programs
Artisan Program
We work with 30 different artisans, who handcraft our products. Artisans in the program are trained in different skills including sewing, crocheting, beading and more. Each artist is given 80% of the Zambian fair-trade value of the product they produce after passing a quality control check. An additional 20% goes into a personal savings account they can access at the end of each month. All artisans involved in the program have access to and benefit from the other projects and programs of RecycloCraftz.
Literacy Development
We are passionate about teaching people how to read. Reading takes you places. If you don’t know how to read, you can’t read God’s word. If you don’t know how to read, you can’t fill out a job application. If you don’t know how to read you can’t receive an education past the second grade.We are dedicated to sitting in the dirt and teaching people how to read. We are currently developing a reading curriculum that centers around God’s word.
Community Library
We currently have two 40’ shipping containers at the ministry center with over 1,500+ books each. One serves as the Biblical Studies library, the other a Faith-based community library. Each container has been modified, with a strong awning, insulation, doors and windows, security bars, a fan, and electricity. Children in the community come to learn and read. Our librarian on staff sees this as an evangelical outreach and talks to all who borrow and return books. This is the first public circulating library in the eastern part of the city.
Micro-loan Program
Our artisans are smart and when given the opportunity, some resources, and the trust to do something big, they do something big. That’s where our micro-loan project comes in. Micro-loans are small scale loans given to someone for a specified purpose, that is then paid off over 2 or more years in small portions.
With this loan, many of our artisans start small businesses such as a road side fruit/vegetable stand; some pay for their kids to go to school or for their own schooling; some pay for a new home; and others pay for electricity their homes. The possibilities are endless! Micro-loans give them the funds to get a step ahead, while keeping the dignity of essentially doing it themselves.
Medical Emergency/Funeral Fund
Medical tragedies always come unexpectedly, for our artisans this can be devastating to their family. We are here for each of them when they or a family member is in an accident, becomes drastically ill, or dies suddenly. Medical bills pile quickly, and access to funds often times is a matter of life or death. If a family member dies, we want to help the family show honor and respect to their loved one through funds for a proper funeral. We allocate a portion of our funds towards this cause.
Community Garden
Securing fresh vegetables for daily meal preparation is time consuming and costly for our artisans. Secure garden space and a steady source of water is at a premium in the ghetto compounds where most of the artisans live. The RecycloCraftz’ community gardens at the Ministry Center provide a variety of vegetables year round. It is tended by the artisans and the property caretaker and watered from our well. Chicken manure from our chicken project keeps the veggies growing strong. Fruit trees on site produce in season and a Moringa tree thrives year round with leaves that offer healing to many.
Chicken Rearing
At any one time there are 60 chickens in a poultry house at the Ministry Center. They are raised from chicks for 3 months until they are ready to be butchered. Our Zambian project manager used a microloan to start this business for himself. Our artisans butcher the chickens. In return, they are paid with chicken heads and intestines. Everyone benefits.
Discipleship
Our artisans participate in semi-regular meetings led by local pastors and teachers where they do devotionals and participate in worship. Each artisan is under the care of our project manager, Barnabas, who has a deep love for the Lord and was recently accepted into seminary. Everything we do is fueled by love for the Lord and this is evident in how we conduct business with all our members.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31: 8-9