In Rural Sierra Leone it is very common for men to be the breadwinners of large extended families, which makes it very hard for them to support their whole family. It then becomes the responsibility of the women to care for their children and other extended family members. But the challenges that the women face are the result of their responsibilities to, not only raising their own children, but also care for the elderly, participate in the farm work and perform household duties; they have limited time to participate in income generating activities that will require them time away from home. Women in rural areas are financially handicap even though they have responsibilities of providing financial support for their children's education and family.
CDPEACE INVOLVEMENT
CDPEACE INVOLVEMENT
Centre for Development and Peace Education (CDPeace) is a non-governmental organization from Sierra Leone which is helping the women from three rural communities to work together and they have formed Kombra. CDPeace help by providing them with the technical support and the supervision that is required to run and sustain their business in their communities which can utilize their skills and earn them a living wage to better improve their lifestyles and support their children’s education. CDPeace also coordinates and facilitates relationships between Kombra and its partners. For more information about cdpeace visit http://www.cdpeace.org/.
KOMBRA TEXTILES PRODUCTION
The Kombra women are producing traditional tie-died (gara) textiles that are developed into colourful pressed cotton tablecloths and napkins to market locally and internationally. After paying for expenses and wages , profits made from selling these items will be put towards establishing scholarships particularly that of young girls.
Give a Gift of Kombra:
Give a Gift of Kombra:
The Kombra tablecloth & napkins sets are a perfect gift to give to your family and friends for any special occasion: Weddings, New Home, Christmas, Mother's/Father’s Days and Birthdays.
Be a Kombra:
Be a Kombra:
You can help to support the Kombra women's business grow by :
- Making a donation of any amount into the business
- Be an agent to help market the kombra products
- Buy and promote the Kombra products
Your contribution will grow to provide support to more women and their children. cdpeace will provide updates about the progress of the project. For those that would like to be more involved, they will have the opportunity to have an online communication with the women or even visit them at work in their communities. For more information about the project and how you can get involved contact us at kombra.cdpeace@gmail.com
- Making a donation of any amount into the business
- Be an agent to help market the kombra products
- Buy and promote the Kombra products
Your contribution will grow to provide support to more women and their children. cdpeace will provide updates about the progress of the project. For those that would like to be more involved, they will have the opportunity to have an online communication with the women or even visit them at work in their communities. For more information about the project and how you can get involved contact us at kombra.cdpeace@gmail.com
KOMBRA PARTNERS AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Sir Sandford Fleming College
The Applied Agency at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada has agreed to support the women of Kombra with import/export logistics, research, product development and recommendations for the western market. Website http://www.flemingc.on.ca/
Community Living Peterborough (CLP)
Community Living Peterborough is a non-profit, provincial association in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada that advocates for people who have an intellectual disability to be fully included in all aspects of community life. CLP women have agreed to assist the women of Kombra with the labeling and packaging that is required to sell the products in the western market. Website http://www.communitylivingpeterborough.ca/
uMaMe Maternity
A designing company for maternity clothes in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada is also supporting Kombra Project by promoting and marketing their products in the western economy. Website http://www.umame.ca/
The Applied Agency at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada has agreed to support the women of Kombra with import/export logistics, research, product development and recommendations for the western market. Website http://www.flemingc.on.ca/
Community Living Peterborough (CLP)
Community Living Peterborough is a non-profit, provincial association in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada that advocates for people who have an intellectual disability to be fully included in all aspects of community life. CLP women have agreed to assist the women of Kombra with the labeling and packaging that is required to sell the products in the western market. Website http://www.communitylivingpeterborough.ca/
uMaMe Maternity
A designing company for maternity clothes in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada is also supporting Kombra Project by promoting and marketing their products in the western economy. Website http://www.umame.ca/
International Trade Students at Fleming College raising funds for Kombra Project on 2011 International Women's Day
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Since January 2011, the 3rd. Year International Trade and Marketing students at Fleming College have been working to help further the Kombra – Gara Project. Part of this included hosting various fundraising and awareness events around the college and the community. The Kombra Project is also helping to enhance the learning capacity of the International Trade students and creates awareness on social issues for the students.