Simply Wool – Local wool empowering local women
Recently I recevied an update from our dealer Spun Out Fibres, in Hill End, NSW, Australia, about an order they had recently supplied. I was very interested to hear the story of the looms being taken from Australia to South Africa by Chantelle Hamilton who runs Simply Wool. I hope you also enjoy reading the story of Simply Wool.
Kate
In the Free State of South Africa an initiative to help poor women earn money for their families is spinning out of control!!
Chantelle Hamilton saw the need for local Busuto women to earn their own money, to help feed and clothe their families. However it needed to be something they could do at home, so they could care for their young ones without using childcare. She had some wool from the few sheep on her farm, and taught 4 young Mums to wash, card, then spin the wool – hoping to sell the skeins to keen knitters. This was the beginning of Simply Wool three years ago.
Today Simply Wool now not only prepares sheep and alpaca wool, but women spin and weave it into beautiful blankets using Ashford Rigid Heddle Looms. Chantelle has taught and turned nine ladies into weavers – and the number is growing. She has 14 team leaders – all local Busoto women, and each one of these has up to 5 women under them. Together they wash, card and spin wool that is then passed onto the weavers. Together as a group of approximately 50 women they contribute to the process of making completely handmade blankets. Currently two businessmen supply them with raw wool, then pay for and receive blankets back, that they sell both locally and overseas.
Chantelle has been amazed at how many women have taken to the craft and how successful it has been. It has changed the lives of so many women and their families, but most of all it has given them hope and purpose. No longer do they need to rely on others to survive and help their children. They have some independence and can make choices in life.
With the movement growing daily in number Chantelle’s dream now is for the women to buy or eventually produce the wool themselves and then sell their own blanket creations. Her current problem is a lack of wool supply rather than lack of enthusiasm from these hard-working women who want to change their lives for themselves and their children.
You can support this iniative via their Go Fund Me account.
Follow on Instagram @simplywool4u
