“Stories From Africa” at Link Gallery

The Link Gallery in The Door Community Auditorium is featuring the Stories from Africa exhibit as part of Friends of Gibraltar’s International Theme, Around the World in 180 Days.

The exhibit, running through Jan. 28, focus on projects and organizations that are making a positive difference in Africa. Some of the following stories will be told in the exhibit.

Divine Chocolate

At the heart of Divine’s heavenly tasting chocolate there is a unique story. The cocoa for Divine chocolate is grown in the southern regions of Ghana by a farmers’ co-operative called “Kuapa Kokoo” which in the local language, Twi, means “Good Cocoa Farmers Company.” Their motto is “Pa Pa Paa” which means “the best of the best of the best.” Not only do the Kuapa Kokoo farmers’ receive a Fair Trade price for their cocoa, but they also own 45 percent of the company, and therefore have a direct influence over how the company is run and share in the profits from the chocolate. Owning Divine gives the farmers of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative not just additional income, but also knowledge and power – the opportunity to grow and flourish is in their hands. Find out more about Divine Chocolate at http://www.divinechocolate.com.

Original T-Bag Designs

Original T-Bag Designs was founded by a primary school art teacher from England on the philosophy that, as unique individuals, everyone is capable of producing work that is as thoughtfully and beautifully created as they are.

Original T-Bag Designs started in 1996 when Jill Heyes moved with her family to South Africa and found her new purpose in an area fatigued by poverty. One humble tea bag was to become the inspiration for intricate works of beauty, creating self worth, excitement and peace for a group of disadvantaged people in Cape Town, South Africa. The tea bags are enjoyed, dried, emptied, ironed and decorated with patterns reflecting the heritage and present day life of South Africa. The tea bags adorn a variety of products including cards, notebooks, decoupage boxes, candles, mirrors, coasters, placemats, wrapping paper and more.

Imuka Singers

Music in Africa has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in transforming people’s lives socially, spiritually and economically. Music is a cultural force that brings people together and encourages individuals towards positive change. It was out of the concern felt by choir members for the less fortunate in their communities that the social enterprise concept of Imuka was born. Beneficiaries include: goats for women – especially those that may have lost their husbands to disease; seed funding for local entrepreneurs; refurbishing schools and community centers which provide training for income generation projects; as well as supporting community health awareness initiatives.

Invisible Children

Invisible Children is an organization that resulted from three young men going to Africa and experiencing the tragedies of Africa’s longest running war in Uganda. It is estimated that over the course of the war 20,000 children have been abducted and forced to fight for the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). Invisible Children started out by making documentaries to let the world know more about the child soldiers. Now the organization has created a radio system in remote jungle villages that sends out warning messages when the LRA is coming so villagers can flee with their children. Invisible Children also has created rehabilitation centers for children who escape or are rescued from the LRA.

Cards From Africa

This organization in Rwanda that has helped over 300 orphans make money to support their siblings by making beautiful cards from recycled office paper. These and other hand crafted artisan work from Africa that is all sold through Fair Trade companies has been loaned to the exhibit and it available to purchase at the Small World Market in Sturgeon Bay.

These stories from Africa all have a common theme of hope and inspiration to make the best of some of the worst human situations and struggles in the world.