Our Doll Home Industry

Angola, 2004

When our Sisters in Lubango, Angola, answered the door, they were surprised by the request!

"We looked at the little girl who came to our door and asked for a doll. She was about eight years of age. She was so poorly dressed that all the clothes she was wearing would not be enough to make up even a rag doll.

But from this little girl's request came the idea of starting sewing classes to teach simple things, including how to make rag dolls.

At the time the war was still raging in Angola. The children were used to carrying water and looking for firewood. They heard more about landmines and bad news of the war than about toys.

We began with a group of fourteen girls aged between 8 and 15 years. Soon, our little doll industry became very popular.

We used remnants of cloth, thread and needles donated by friends overseas, and pieces of sponge which came with the medicine bottles. We taught the children how to knit and sew. At the same time we taught them how to read.

Then some donors sent us the money to send a local woman called Silvina away to attend a special course. She already had some knowledge of dressmaking. When she returned she was a great help in passing on her skills.

As the children grew older, they made dolls not only for themselves but for their sisters and relatives. Some of the dolls are good enough to be sold in the market."

Last modified: Wednesday, March 4th, 2009