Our production

MEET PRISCILLA — ONE OF OUR ARTISANS

My name is Priscilla Wanjiku Njoroge, I am 82 years old and a single mother of three children and four grandchildren. I joined OTHERS group through a friend who came to visit me. She used to come from Makadara Salvation Army where they were making baskets, beach bags, tote bags, flags, and Easter chickens. I joined the group through her, and I also learned how to make these products.

This group has helped me financially to educate my children through university where I paid almost over 30,000/= from OTHERS income. Currently, my daughter is a teacher through Kenyatta University and my son is an engineer. They are now supporting my life.

I have learned a lot of things through this group. Working with recycled and wire products has been skilldeveloping for me, as a woman. OTHERS Makadara also has a “merry-go-round” program, where we contribute financial assistance for each other. Through it, I was able to start doing beadwork, making tissue boxes, key holders, and table mats. This is supplemental income for me as an older person.

I want to encourage women to support each other and especially those vulnerable or with special needs in the church, so that they can earn a living and support their families.

OUR PRODUCTION

OTHERS IN BANGLADESH

Others began as a local initiative for poverty alleviation in Bangladesh in 1997, and Bangladesh remains our largest producer country, currently involving around 760 artisans (both women and men). Others Bangladesh produces a wide range of handloomed products, embroidered products, jute products, wooden products, natural fiber and leaf products, and knitted items. Production groups include women’s groups in and around the capital city Dhaka and in a number of villages in Central and Western parts of the country, as well as a handloom unit, carpentry unit and sewing unit in the city of Jashore. Some artisans are recruited through specific community development projects run by The Salvation Army, such as The Salvation Army’s rehabilitation center in Old Dhaka which provides holistic care and training for women who have been victims of trafficking or exploitation. The Others operation is followed up by The Salvation Army’s local team in Bangladesh, as well as partners from the Others Global network coordinated by The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters.

OTHERS IN KENYA

Others’ first contacts with Kenya were in 1999, with formal connections to some producer groups starting from 2004. Others currently works with nine different production groups in Kenya, located in both urban and rural areas. Products build on locally available raw materials and artisan’s skills, and include bead/ wire products, items made from sisal and leaf, as well as items made from recycled materials such as plastic and paper. Most artisans are also linked with savings- and loans groups overseen by The Salvation Army locally. In 2020 the partnership with Kenya was expanded to also include small-scale coffee farmers in the area of Matungulu. The first coffee was launched in Norway Christmas 2020, and the goal is to build a long-term partnership to help raise the standard of living for the Matungulu farmers.

KITCHEN

NEW! Round board

All of Others’ wooden products are handcrafted by skilled carpenters at our own workshop in the city of Jashore, Bangladesh. We use sustainably sourced local wood called Gamari and Albizia Saman. These are typically grown in yards and by road-sides, and sold when a family needs an extra source of income. The products are sold un-treated, but can be treated with a light coating of oil if desired.