Revival Crafts shipped several hundred items to the U.S. for sale by The Rock African Arts before Christmas and the ministry is bearing fruit. Ladies and some of the young men learned about U.S. Customs labeling and classification codes since all the items had to be prepared for the shipment. Learning about the export requirements was intersting and exposed the group to many aspects of setting up a business involving international trade.
Children from the House of Hope, Kabale made bracelets and necklaces to help with household expenses and school fees along with ladies in the church and students wanting to participate and have a part time business while in school.
Some of the jewelry is made of unique "trade beads". "Trade Beads" originated in Venice, Bohemia and European countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands from the late 1400s to the early 1900s. Traded in Africa they were used by visitors as money to pay tribal chiefs. Today these popular, collectable beads can be seen in the Museum of Mankind in London, the Pitt River Museum in Oxford, the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Belgium, and the Murano Museum of Glass in Italy just to name a few around the world. Many styles which were readily available just 5 years ago are no longer seen today. How the beads survived a hundred or more years of wear and travel through at least three continents is amazing. It makes you wonder...who wore them before us and who will have them next. The trade beads, used in our jewelry are handmade from clay and ground glass and purchased as we find them in Kenya. The designs vary due to the unique nature of the beads.
The first shipment to the U.S. back in June surprised many members of the congregation when one Sunday Pastor Johnson announced that "those who had made baskets and jewelry could pick up their pay on Monday." There had been some naysayers who told people they would never sell anything but our Lord is faithful and now the ministry is expanding and many members are excited. Basic business skills are being taught so each person learns how to manage resources, set pricing, pay themselves and keep capital in reserve for more materials so they don't put themselves out of business. It is part of what Pastor Johnson calls "going to a new level." For more information on purchasing the crafts please e-mail africanarts@rockcapital.org. Soon items will be available on E-bay through the Internet.