WORDFUL WEDNESDAY

This is Sentinel peak in South Africa. It is the entrance to Hout Bay, where we stayed when we were in South Africa two years ago. This picture was taken from Chapman's Peak drive which leads to the Southwestern most point of Africa. This is one of my favorite pictures that I took on our trip there. One of the reasons I fell in love with South Africa was because of the beautiful scenery.

This just makes me happy looking at it - Enjoy!

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Meet a Clothing Maker from South Africa!!

Meet Stella - a worker at Bug Zoo

Above is a picture of one of the areas (Townships) where the women live.

As many of you know, the clothing that I sell on my website, Hippos Toes, is all made in South Africa. Not only are the clothes made there, but the cotton is also grown there. So the clothing is all 100% from South Africa. In addition to being unique and adorable, the best thing about the clothing is the ladies that make it. As I've mentioned many times before :), the ladies that make the clothes all come from very disadvantaged areas in South Africa, called Townships. We would call them slums here in the US. There are very limited income opportunities for these sweet ladies, they are often relegated to being domestics (housekeepers) or nannies. They are oftentimes the sole means of support in their families as well. So it is important that they have reliable and steady income. Not to mention good paying work and good working conditions. That is where the clothing manufacturer comes in. Bug Zoo works with an organization in South Africa that locates these women in these areas and offers them employment at Bug Zoo. Many of them have many years of experience as sewers and seamstresses and they can put this talent to work at Bug Zoo making the children's clothing. A majority of the women cannot read or write, but they can sew. And they can sew beautifully. Bug Zoo either brings them in to their facility to work or helps them purchase sewing machines and they work from a communal area in their Township. It is a beautiful story and the reason that I fell in love with Bug Zoo and why I am honored and priveleged to bring you these adorable fair trade children's clothes. The US market allows them much more opportunities to sell their work, which allows more of them to be employed and that makes my heart happy. I hope you feel the same.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to our second featured worker at Bug Zoo: Stella.

Stella is widowed with one daughter and her daughter is matriculating this year and is a talented artist. Stella lives with her sister in Cape Town during the week, but travels to her daughter and home in Wittewater on the weekends- small rural community 2 hours from Cape Town. Stella is our cutter and she is responsible for cutting all the garments from the patterns and then passed on to the machinists to be made. Stella started her career as a cutter 25 years ago- she used to be a machinist, but prefers the cutting.(she made her daughters matric farewell dress). Stella has been at Bug Zoo for 3 years. Stella loves the view from the building as it looks over the Cape Town harbour. Stella enjoys spending time with her daughter at home and loves working on her home inside and out.

A note from Bug Zoo: Stella is very energetic and never stops, she zips around Bug Zoo from the time she arrives to the time she leaves. She is also a very hard worker.

All Bug Zoo staff are dedicated staff who put in more that we ask for and we are very lucky to have them. We are a small team, but they are an incredible team that we are proud to have and proud to be able to give them employment as this is a very tough industry to be in as we compete with other countries like China, Bangladesh etc. We believe in the value of human rights and the right to earn an income that will enable them to support their families. It is important to remember that SA does not have a social security system and live is very hard for those who do not have a job. I hope to feature different workers on my blog so you can get to know a little about them and why I feel so strongly in Bug Zoo and these unique children's clothes.

Hostility in South Africa

Photo by Karin Brulliard-The Washington Post

As many of you know, South Africa is very special to me. My visit there two years ago really opened my eyes to that country and the issues that are plaguing them. When I open the paper I always look to see what is happening there politically and socially.

The following is based on a recent Washington Post article:

Recently there has been an influx of violence that has been directed towards immigrants. These immigrants come from other African countries such as Somalia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Congo, to name a few, to make better lives for themselves in South Africa. They have more opportunities than they did in the countries they left. Many of these immigrants were brutally attacked in South Africa’s slums this past spring.

Five months ago more than 60 people were killed in anti-foreigner beatings and burnings in South Africa. Immigrants have since sought refuge in government-run encampments to protect them after these brutal attacks spread through the slum areas where they lived. Many of the poorer people live in what are called townships, that we know as slums. Their homes are typically made from corrugated metal with tin roofs. They are lucky if they have electricity.

The refugee-style encampments where the immigrants sought refuge run contrary to Africa’s most developed country. Recently the government has torn down these encampments saying that neighborhoods are safe again. But many immigrants do not agree with that statement. They say that the South African government has done little tackle this long standing hostility towards immigrants.

Apparently the government has left the camps to civic groups to distribute aid and grants to help the displaced get back on their feet. But there are so many internal struggles going on with the government ruling party in South Africa that the plight of the foreigners has been virtually ignored. There has not been any type of investigation into the violence against these people. Of course there is great fear that this type of hostility and violence will happen again since it hasn’t been dealt with in the first place.

A majority of foreigners who are targeted are Somalis, legal refugees that run shops in townships. Many refuse to leave these encampments, even though they have been dismantled. They choose to stay even though the camps look like junkyards with mattresses and piles of clothing strewn about. They are afraid to go back to their homes saying they would rather be killed there than go back home and be killed.
Despite its wrenching poverty, South Africa is among Africa’s richest countries. Many immigrants, 3 million to 5 million, migrate there seeking jobs as mineworkers, or escaping conflict in their own countries. Many South Africans view these immigrants as competition for jobs.

It seems this issue is not high on the agenda of issues that the leadership has to deal with, so they are basically turning a blind eye.

I know that we have problems here in our own country, but I cannot comprehend living with this type of fear. Fear that my family will be killed, beaten or bludgeoned to death and nobody will do anything about it. How is that right and just? Who is going to help these poor people that just want to live and provide for their families?

Meet a Clothing Maker from South Africa....

Meet Miriam - a worker at Bug Zoo

Above is a picture of one of the areas (Townships) where the women live.
As many of you know the clothing that I sell on my website, Hippos Toes, is all made in South Africa. Not only are the clothes made there, but the cotton is also grown there. So the clothing is all 100% from South Africa. In addition to being unique and adorable, the best thing about the clothing is the ladies that make it.

As I've mentioned many times before :), the ladies that make the clothes all come from very disadvantaged areas in South Africa, called Townships. We would call them slums here in the US. There are very limited income opportunities for these sweet ladies, they are often relegated to being domestics (housekeepers) or nannies. They are oftentimes the sole means of support in their families as well. So it is important that they have reliable and steady income. Not to mention good paying work and good working conditions. That is where the clothing manufacturer comes in. Bug Zoo works with an organization in South Africa that locates these women in these areas and offers them employment at Bug Zoo. Many of them have many years of experience as sewers and seamstresses and they can put this talent to work at Bug Zoo making the children's clothing.

A majority of the women cannot read or write, but they can sew. And they can sew beautifully. Bug Zoo either brings them in to their facility to work or helps them purchase sewing machines and they work from a communal area in their Township. It is a beautiful story and the reason that I fell in love with Bug Zoo and why I am honored and priveleged to bring you these adorable fair trade children's clothes.

The US market allows them much more opportunities to sell their work, which allows more of them to be employed and that makes my heart happy. I hope you feel the same.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to our first featured worker at Bug Zoo: Miriam.

Miriam is divorced with 4 kids and lives in Mitchells Plein(a small community in Cape Town)- 3 son and 2 daughters. All her sons are out of the house and her daughter has started her first year of communication studies- she is very proud of her children. Miriam is the sole breadwinner.

Miriam started her career as a machinist in 1975 at a factory in Cape Town. She has been with Bug Zoo for 3 years.

She loves the working environment at Bug Zoo- although it can be pressurized, it is far better than being in a factory

Miriam enjoys sewing and even sews in her spare time- she also enjoys shopping and spending time with her family(she has 9 brothers and sisters)

A note from Bug Zoo: Miriam is one of the most dedicated employees we have and is an incredibly strong woman who has been through tough times- always positive and she has values that we all aspire to. All Bug Zoo staff are dedicated staff who put in more that we ask for and we are very lucky to have them. We are a small team, but they are an incredible team that we are proud to have and proud to be able to give them employment as this is a very tough industry to be in as we compete with other countries like China, Bangladesh etc. We believe in the value of human rights and the right to earn an income that will enable them to support their families. It is important to remember that SA does not have a social security system and live is very hard for those who do not have a job.

I hope to feature different workers on my blog so you can get to know a little about them and why I feel so strongly in Bug Zoo and these unique children's clothes.

Launch Day is Fast Approaching!!!

My official launch date is almost here. I will be launching my new website, Hippos Toes, on Thursday, October 9th. If you don't know about the clothing let me tell you a little something.

Hippos Toes features fair trade children’s clothing made in South Africa by Bug Zoo. I am passionate about the clothing the difference Hippos Toes/Bug Zoo is making in women’s lives. The women that make these unique and adorable children’s clothing are mom’s that have very limited income opportunities in South Africa. Typically the type of employment they find is as Domestics (housekeepers), or nannies. Making clothing for Bug Zoo allows them a new opportunity to use skills that they have and that they should be proud to offer. They very much enjoy the opportunity to use their skills to make these adorable, whimsical and fun children's clothes. They are paid fair wages and work under good working conditions, which are not easy to find in their country. I am hoping to feature some of these darling women on my blog so that you can get to know a little about them. They are very shy, many of them cannot read or write, so the fact that they are willing to allow me to ask them a few questions means a lot to me, and I'm honored if they will let me do this for them, and for you!

The clothing designs are typically nature inspired to bring awareness and love of our natural environment to your child. The designs change every season (spring and fall). I have already had the opportunity to preview the spring '09 line and it is just as adorable as the fall '08 line. I'm sure you won't be let down.

The quality of the garments is also top notch. Because they are made by hand, and with love, this is apparent in the clothing. Another reason why I am proud to bring this clothing line to you.

Also be sure to read my About Us page on my site so that you can learn a bit more about Hippos Toes, and why I feel so passionate about offering these adorable clothes to you!

Please have a look around Hippos Toes. I am sure you will be just as excited as I am. In honor of my kickoff, I will be offering a 15% discount on my blog. So please come back here on Thursday to get your code - and start shopping :)

Peek at Hippos Toes Clothes

Here are a couple pics of some of the clothing that I will be selling on my website. Not only is the quality exception, but they have such cute and unique designs! Every season there will be a new clothing line with a new theme. This fall it is a Quest theme for the little boys and a Bug Tea Party for the little girls. The themes always try to incorporate nature, bugs, flowers, animals, etc, to foster that awareness of nature in your child. The clothing has a whimsical feel as well, which further enhances the uniqueness of the clothing.In anticipation of the launch planned for OCTOBER 9TH, I will be posting periodic pictures of the clothes so you can get an idea of the clothing line.I also want to mention one of the most important features of the clothing, and why I decided to sell this line. The clothing is Fair Trade and made in South Africa.

When I was in South Africa a little over 2 years ago, I couldn't help but notice the disparity in the way some of the people lived. They had very rudimentary conditions, at best. Apartheid just ended only 12 years ago, so there are still a great deal of people that cannot find good paying jobs or living conditions. That is where Hippos Toes comes in. The women that make these clothes are mothers just like you and me. They are trying to provide for their families under conditions that you and I will never have to face. The fact that the manufacturer of these clothes provides a fair wage and good working conditions just sold me on these clothes. I would much rather purchase clothes for my son from a place that makes a difference in people's lives (especially mothers!), than clothes that only makes a difference in the pockets of some big wig corporation. And I'm hoping that you feel the same!!! Please stay tuned for more examples of the clothes and please be sure to visit my site October 9th for the launch. You know I will remind you!! Also, please be sure to sign up for my enewsletter so you can be aware of what is going on in Hippos Toes land!!

South African lover.....like me......

Met a darling lady yesterday at a restaurant where I was ducking in from the rain that popped up out of nowhere. Had my little guy in his stroller so we made a fast break for this little coffee shop/bistro type of restaurant. Anyhoo, I noticed this older couple, and the husband had a South Africa t-shirt on. I couldn’t resist, I had to ask if they were from SA. Turns out they have visited there several times, Durban and Capetown. They absolutely love it, as do my husband and myself. We got to talking about the country and how beautiful It is and how gentle and innocent the people are. Of course we also discussed the crime issue. South Africa does have issues with crime, which is unfortunate, because it is such an incredible country. Well it turns out that out that she has a niece living there. Basically we just chatting for about 15-20 minutes about the country and how much we love it. Of course I told her about Hippos Toes and the clothing line that I sell that is made by local women living in the townships. http://tinyurl.com/5j4sva

She was so excited about it. She has been to the townships so she understands the need for income opportunities that these people face. Especially the women that do not have many opportunities to earn an income and they have children and families to support. Oftentimes, they are the sole breadwinner in their families so they must find work that pays a fair and honest wage under good working conditions. That is what the manufacturer of these clothes provides. They can employ from 50+ women, depending upon the orders. My goal is to employ as many of these women as I can, that is why I am selling their clothing. Not only are the designs unique and adorable but the quality and workmanship is excellent. And most importantly it employs these women so that they can earn money to feed and clothe their own families. I am going to try to do some “interviews” with some of these women an feature them on my blog periodically so that you can get to know the women that make these incredible clothes, and that you will come to care about them as much as I do.

I’ve rambled on enough for today. I was just so re-energized after speaking with that kind women yesterday that I felt the need to tell you all about it too.

Please be sure to visit my website on October 9th and see the adorable clothes for yourself. It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas (smile). Sign up for my newsletter! I am planning to have a giveaway as well at launch time so you must come back for that!