GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Behind the door of a cosy little Karoo-style house in Donkin Street, Graaff-Reinet, there is a lot going on!
For example, there is a bakery known for its artisan bread and traditional sweets. Here 39-year-old baker Desery Cane from Geluksdal delights her customers with freshly-baked artisan breads like baguettes, ciabatta, rye boules and buttermilk rusks,
While she does that another partner in the social enterprise, Umasizakhe resident, John Jantjies (34) is crafting items from wood and iron in the backyard.
Desery and John are joined in their craftwork training by Felecity Ambraal, who creates a variety of herbal remedies with the help of local expert, Susan Davis.
Another talented local, Rose Wright, teaches a team of five ladies basic sewing skills. Each of these ladies is aiming to make a career out of bespoke sewing.
At the moment the ladies of KarooCreations Bespoke Traditional African Clothing are working on an order of aprons made from Schwe Schwe fabric. Rose said,”We prefer to use Schwe Schwe fabric for our creations as its 100% cotton and it’s produced in the Eastern Cape.” She added, “A short while ago these ladies knew very little about sewing, now they are learning a practical skill which will enable them to earn a steady income for their families.”
Profit With Purpose (PWP) is the brainchild of Dr Elizabeth Morris, and with her, the craft partners and their teachers have created a centre that is creating financial independence for local families in Graaff-Reinet.
The way PWP works it to train local domestic staff in a variety of craft skills and then coach each partner in turning their new skill into a business. PWP has been in the making for three years and has now launched their first brands. Each brand manned by a partner who makes and sells their own craft.
With the support of Dr Elizabeth Morris, Jenny Morris, Rose Wright, Susan Davis, Ann Rundle and Anziske Kayster and other skilled Graaff-Reinet residents, the PWP Incubator Hub is currently offering a diverse set of services and skills to the Graaff-Reinet public.
PWP encompasses the following social enterprise brands; KarooKraft Wood & Metal Services which sells recycled wooden homeware and a ‘No Job-Too-Small’ Welding Service manned by John Jantjies, Desery Cane’s Karoo Artisan Microbakery, then there is Karoo Herbal Remedies manned by Felecity Ambraal and the sewing team’s KarooCreations making bespoke traditional clothing in bright African prints and their special KarooPoppy dolls.
The fresh artisan bread and sweets created by Desery at the Karoo Microbakery are getting more popular by the day, with businesses and individuals placing orders on a weekly basis and enjoying the delivery service when Desery brings their order to their doorsteps on Fridays.
John is a skilled welder and through his KarooKraft brand is providing local homes with some much needed small welding services and his famous Firebaskets, which are so good for chilly winter braais. He can assist the public with any wood or metal creations needed for their homes.
Susan Davis is no stranger to the Graaff-Reinet public, having for years been known for her knowledge of herbal cures and remedies. With her help, Felecity has been selling her Karoo Herbal Remedies for two years and is now learning how to make them herself. These Herbal Remedies are also available for purchase through Profit With Purpose.
Profit With Purposes’ mission is to empower local residents who have such a range of hidden talent, often not used for lack of opportunity, to bring their talent, visions and dreams to life, to create a connection and community for both funders and makers and to enable their partners to create a sustainable income for their respective households. It works mainly with domestic workers.
Dr Elizabeth Morris, who guides the social enterprise, and Jenny Morris, who provides coaching and administration support, are both passionate educators. They are dedicated to making a difference in the world by supporting adults to be all they can be.
Anyone who would like to find out more about the Profit With Purpose social enterprise, or who would like to place an order from any of the brands (the seamstresses, baker, welder or indigenous herbalist), can contact Elizabeth at 071 217 8229.
