South Luangwa
THE COURAGEOUS MULBERRY MONGOOSE LADIES Writer: Kate Wilson Photography: Mulberry Mongoose
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t’s hard to know where to begin when describing our courageous team of ladies at Mulberry Mongoose. I could not be more proud to work amongst such warm, generous and hardworking people, and I could share so many stories of their kindness to one another as they face real hardship in their lives. We have cried together at family funerals, we have come together to support each other when the children are sick, and we have also laughed together at any given opportunity. To walk into Our Shop Less Ordinary in Mfuwe is to be greeted by eight warm and beautiful smiles. It’s to be amongst women who work tirelessly to transform brutal snare wire into beautiful jewellery, which in turn enables them to support their families. Each of our team supports over five people on her one salary, and they proudly put their children through school, determined to give them what they missed out on. They hold their heads up high in their villages; having a job earns them respect that was in short supply when they were single mothers with no income. They also know that their work has raised over US$90,000 for conservation efforts in their community. They are helping to protect their children’s heritage every day they go to work. They have given me so much. By working side by side with these extraordinary Zambian women I have seen my own flaws in the
harsh light of day. The way they greet me each morning, with real concern for every member of my family, has taught me to take the time to really check in each day rather than rushing to start my lengthy ‘to do’ list. Sharing the heartache of their sick children and learning the challenges they face to find the right medical care in rural Africa is humbling, but watching them navigate this with resourcefulness, lack of complaint and an ability to smile is enriching.
And then there is their pure joy. The laughter at lunch break over Edina’s love of cake, or the boy who fancies Mirriam or the baboon that has just stolen Naomi’s lunch…The laughter is full, real and in the moment, and it has taught me to live in the now and appreciate life not for what I can work towards in the future, but for what I have been given right now... the chance to create meaningful jewellery in the African bush with eight of the most courageous ladies I have had the privilege to know.
The Mulberry Mongoose team creates jewellery in a workshop and retail outlet situated next to a well-trodden elephant path 15 minutes from the South Luangwa National Park. The friendly nature of these ladies means they love visitors, and Sarah, our shop manager, is always over the moon to share our story and give tours to visiting tourists. kate@mulberrymongoose.com & www.mulberrymongoose.com TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA
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