Nairobi Product Design to benefit Heshima Children's Center
GEMS Cambridge International School, Nairobi, Kenya 2012
Heshima is a Swahili word meaning Dignity. Disabled children in Kenya are not typically treated with dignity or respect. In fact, some Kenyans even consider it a curse that their children are born with special needs. Heshima Children’s Center seeks to reverse this idea by providing love and hope for severely challenged children. This unique organization employs the mothers of students with special needs and aims to educate the surrounding community about the importance of including these children in schools. Mothers work in the center making jewelry via a brand called ‘Dignity Designs’ while their children receive professional care and support to grow into integral members of their community. Jewelry is then sold across the United States at churches and other venues.
(www.heshimachildrenscenter.org)
Here, I led a project to support the fundraising efforts of Heshima by helping students to create a new product. The students of KS3 GEMS Cambridge International School Nairobi spent 3 weeks in Design Technology class creating scarves that the moms of Heshima will bead then sell. We used different dyes to add color to once pale white scarves. After we dyed 80 cotton scarves, we did striping and silkscreen printing on them. Our first sales venue was the Nairobi Chirstmas Market at the Ngong Race Course. Students had the full expereince of designing, making and selling a product in collaboration with Ammani Ya Juu who supported us with access to materials and Hesihma mothers who finished our products with bead work.
(www.heshimachildrenscenter.org)
Here, I led a project to support the fundraising efforts of Heshima by helping students to create a new product. The students of KS3 GEMS Cambridge International School Nairobi spent 3 weeks in Design Technology class creating scarves that the moms of Heshima will bead then sell. We used different dyes to add color to once pale white scarves. After we dyed 80 cotton scarves, we did striping and silkscreen printing on them. Our first sales venue was the Nairobi Chirstmas Market at the Ngong Race Course. Students had the full expereince of designing, making and selling a product in collaboration with Ammani Ya Juu who supported us with access to materials and Hesihma mothers who finished our products with bead work.
Our students developed a new product that we were able to show the mothers and sell in a Nairobi Christmas Craft Fair. GEMS students make hand dyed scarves using Shibori and silk screen techniques. The Heshima mothers beaded the fringe on the scarves. GEMS students held a workshop to show the mothers how to do the Shibori dying which they can now use to make their own products.
GEMS students also had the experience of selling these products and interacting with customers. They learned many valuable lessons which you can see in the pages of a hand bound artist book that we created and gave to the school as a momento of this first community project.
We were able to find and use all of the materials with the generous support of the Amani Ya Juu (www.amaniafrica.org). This organization is a further link I pioneered for the school. They work with disadvantaged women to employ them as textile designers making products which are sold internationally.
Product EvaluationHere is a nearly finished product showcasing silk screening techniques layered over shibori style dying.
|
Design PhaseJulia is busy designing a repeat pattern she will silk screen onto her scarf.
|
Research StageAll students are listening to a presentation by the founder of Heshima Children's Center, learning about the needs of the school.
|