Timbali Crafts

My in-laws are missionaries and they are very involved in a country called Swaziland. This country is actually landlocked in South Africa. "Over 40% of the population is HIV positive, there are more than 120,000 orphans, and the life expectancy of the women there is the lowest in the world at only 33 years. Around the country, feeding centers have been created to help provide regular meals for the many orphans who lack proper care. The majority of these care points are run by women, who themselves are also facing hardships as a result of the HIV/AIDS crisis."

A missionary friend of ours, Julie, has started a ministry there with the women called Timbali Crafts. The Swazi women make purses, bags, coinpurses, and table runners. I have a few of these things and they are so unique! I love knowing that it was handmade by one of these women! 

Here's a little information from her website:

Timbali Crafts was started in 2006 to help generate an 

income for the 45+ women who work as volunteer cooks at 

the eight feeding centers in the rural area of Engculwini. In 

2008 another group of nearly 40 women from feeding 

centers in the Nsoko area of Swaziland also joined 

Timbali Crafts. Sales allow the 80+ women to earn an 

income for their families, and also continue on with their 

volunteer work, which is vital to their community.

Timbali Crafts also seeks to reach out to the spiritual 

needs of the women, through regular Bible studies, 

retreats and special events.

As Timbali Crafts continues to grow,  even more women in 

Swaziland will be able to become involved in this income 

generating opportunity, and further outreach to 

underprivileged women will be funded.  

They are having a Mothers Day sale going on right now. You can get a bag, a seed-bead necklace, and a photo greeting card for $25. Or, you can get the table runner deal for $30. You can also buy the bags by themselves.

Go check out her website at www.TimbaliCrafts.org. You would be helping these women of Swaziland and their families!