Mobile Photography Initiative is Making a Difference in South Africa

Recently, Busie shared her postcard image and this heartwarming statement on Facebook  – “Since I worked with THOAWSA my life has changed Today I can make my own Post Cards and make a living I have friends all over the World thank u every body who Donated with every thing to make Andrea Rees come to South Africa to make woman of eKhaya eKasi make a living thank u again #Thoawsa #Busi”

The power is not only in the 9 talented & very capable women who can create quality images using a mobile device, but that they are empowered and have a voice as they are engaging on social media too. They are connecting with people around the world. They are sharing a bit of their daily lives in Khayelitsha and bringing awareness to their talents & the programs at eKhaya eKasi… a place you can visit if you’re in Cape Town as I first visited on December 10, 2012. It’s how it all began.

To read about the workshop days:

Project South Africa: Day 1 | Project South Africa: Days 2 to 6 | Project South Africa: Days 7 to 12

The heART of a Woman Project South Africa – MEDIA

Announcing….

I am so thrilled to announce that the award winning The Backpack now carry the postcards in their Community Shop and are our first retailer!

I stayed at The Backpack for almost 3 weeks on my last visit there in November 2013 and my first visit to Cape Town in December 2012. They were recently named top hotel on Lonely Planet’s Best Value List and voted Best Hostel in Africa 2014 by Hostelworld.

What really drew me to them, other than the fantastic reviews on many websites was the fact that they care and Responsible Tourism and Fair Trade are important to them. They participate in a number of community projects and on my first stay, I participated in Pack For a Purpose and brought along some much needed goods to donate. The ways they support the community are endless and I admire the founders/owners Lee Harris and Toni Shina. They have such a welcoming team at The Backpack.

An extra big thank you to Lee for your support and daily morning chats as you followed along on the progress of the workshop. The encouragement in just your interest and our conversations meant a lot and I still carry it with me.

I am also very happy to announce our newest bronze sponsor, Vado Via. Vado Via is an iPad travel app made by and for travelers. Could the match be any better? Travel, photography & technology!

I met Elissa (co-founder with her husband Enrico) in Toronto, Canada at TBEX,  a travel blogger’s conference and shortly thereafter I began to contribute some content to the app and a relationship began. Fast forward today and I’m happy to partner with an app I believe in and supporters of #thoawSA. From the beginning Elissa & VadoVia has supported us.

VadoVia – an iPad Travel App with real content from other travelers. “Inside scoop from those who have “been there, done that.”

I truly believe that small steps lead to bigger steps and always think of Lao Tzu’s quote “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  while on this journey as I keep on keeping on. I am grateful to all those that have supported us in whatever way you have.

The sponsorships and sales will help empower the women and keep the program running, continue to pay for internet at eKhaya eKasi, marketing, transportation, sample products, printing etc and offer a stipend for one of the participants.

I’m happy to share that I am training Nwabisa Ndongeni to lead the project. THOAW is providing a small stipend, mostly to show her what is possible. It is my hope that she and the women that continue to work hard, can become self-sustainable as entrepreneurs. The possibilities are truly endless.