A Projekt with Impact

United by a design-based fair trade initiative, the women of PROJEKT are building an impressive design vocabulary. They are led by Peta Becker, who is passionate about uplifting the community through women empowerment

VERONICA CHIBAYA, STUDIO MANAGER, ZIMBABWE

I joined the project in 2011 through my aunt, Lizzy. I began by sewing the eyes of the crochet monkeys at home, and then I came to work at handsewing in the studio. In 2013, I went home to Zimbabwe for a year but came back to Cape Town the following year as the studio manager – by then, I had learnt a lot about the workings of the project and the studio. I learnt more about working in a team, business and management skills, being in charge of running the studio and the production side of orders, which is very important. By working in the studio, I have gained a lot of self-confidence. Part of my job is teaching needlework, which requires a lot of patience and focus. I have enjoyed being in the studio – and as a woman, I have learnt to stand on my own two feet and be independent. You need to focus, have creativity, and keep a positive mindset. Also, it is crucial to be open to new things. As women, we must not look down on ourselves because we are all able to achieve better things in life.

GRACE KALONGA, CROCHET ARTISAN, MALAWI