When I close my eyes, I see beautiful patterns, and good bags. I see good food for my children. All my bags are beautiful and get bought. When my husband died, people laughed, asking: what are you going to do with nine children? Now, I am eating and helping to pay for school fees. I have two children in school, grades 10 and 7, and 4 grandchildren at Chikumbuso. I am even able to help others now. The crochet hook has become my husband.

Before I joined Chikumbuso, I made money by washing clothes and selling tomatoes and it was never enough to pay rent and pay school fees. We were struggling to find a place to sleep at night. Since I already knew how to crochet, Beauty asked me to join the Chikumbuso workshop where I helped to train the other widows. Thanks to the bags I make, I buy food for my family and have even been building my own

A bag has made something of my life. I love Chikumbuso, it is my home because it has made me the way I am now. When I look at a bag, God is there. Each one of my children, boys, and girls, can make a bag. From a bag, my heart has been taught to keep people in my house. I remember where I came from, and cannot watch someone suffering. With the money I receive from each bag, I help someone else.

When I close my eyes and think about bags, I think of how I was in danger, living in a house that was about to fall down. When Chikumbuso gave me money for repairs, I thought of the donor’s family, their mother, and their grandmother, all the way back, and how their name was honored. My one room is fixed, and it is new. It is my room and now I find peace in my sleep. I know that if I can work hard and make a bag I will eat. And my last born, Lazarus, is finishing grade 12 this year.

I found Chikumbuso one year after my husband’s death, when I was left with no income and five children. I have been making handbags ever since – and am sure I can feed my kids now. Chikumbuso has educated my five children from elementary school through college. I give back by helping to clean the community hall and workshop space.

When I see a bag, I think of what a good idea this was for widows. If we were to stay at home doing nothing, we would just be drinking beer and eating what? One bag will buy my vegetables and my mealie meal. In the beginning of Chikumbuso my heart was full of troubles. I didn’t know how to crochet but now all of my bags get sold straight away. My mind is constantly thinking of patterns for my next bag… we don’t think about what we are going to do with our day, no! We think about our bags.

Beauty brought me to Chikumbuso in 2006. Since I joined, everything has changed for me, now I am able to feed my children. I am so proud of what I have accomplished with Chikumbuso’s help. Most importantly, I am so happy to see how Chikumbuso takes care of orphaned children by educating them and feeding them.

I thank God that Trudy found me and offered me a place at the Chikumbuso workshop. I love designing handbags and adding the decorations on finished bags. These bags mean so much to me because whenever I sell one I know I can feed my five children. They are all being educated at Chikumbuso – which is a huge help since my husband has died. Chikumbuso also helped me to buy my land and build my home. I help prepare the lunch for Chikumbuso students – a small way to give back for all that Chikumbuso has done for me.

The bag has done big things for me in my life. I am healthy and all of my children are as well. The bag helped my niece go to school and she is now in 12th grade. If I am tired or getting off to a slow start, my son will ask me why I am not crocheting.  He knows that with that money, I have been able to build a bathroom and a better home.

One bag a week is enough to feed my family. When I see my bags, I am reminded of how far I have come. From a widowed charcoal seller barely making it, to a member of this community – sitting with the other women, eating lunch, singing, making bags. And on top of it, my grandchildren get to come to this school – they are in grades 2 and 5.

Florence joined Chikumbuso some twelve years ago. She designs decorations for the new bags which are made at Chikumbuso and she loves seeing the finished bags and putting the last touch to each bag. Florence also loves seeing her children being educated by Chikumbuso up to university level. She remains appreciative for the land which Mama Linda helped her acquire.

When I start crocheting and look at the bag, I remember Mama Linda. Before I started crocheting with Chikumbuso, I had no idea it would provide money to help my family and others. Deep in my heart, when I look at what I am crocheting, I am reminded that without this bag, what would I be able to do today?

When I joined Chikumbuso I didn’t know how to crochet but now I am proud because people love my bags and selling them means I can support my family. I have three children and seven grandchildren living with me in the house and land that Chikumbuso helped me buy. I love being a member of the Chikumbuso workshop.

When I close my eyes and picture myself making a bag, I think of the food I can bring to my home. I see that my bag will add a room to my house. I feel well and fine, all because I know how to make a bag. 

I enjoy designing, making and selling bags, I have been doing this for twelve years now! In fact, now I teach others how to make the bags as well. Making these bags helps me to pay my rent and buy food for my children. I am so grateful to Mama Linda for educating my eight children at no cost and for helping me to buy a piece of land that provides me with security and a home.

I became a member of Chikumbuso project thirteen years ago and I am happy to work at Chikumbuso as an artist—making and selling bags. Making these bags has helped me to make ends meet. I also clean the community hall and the workshop space. I love working hand in hand with my other Chikumbuso colleagues.

Thank God for Chikumbuso! Back when my husband died, I had no money. No money for food or school. I couldn’t buy a whole bag of mealie meal, but instead would buy tiny portions to get my family through one day. But now, thanks to the bags I make, I can afford to buy what my family needs to eat.

I became part of Chikumbuso in 2009, I love working on new bag designs and sharing ideas with fellow artists at Chikumbuso. I enjoy being able to chat with my friends at lunch at Chikumbuso. I am thankful to Chikumbuso for helping me to live in my own home.

Kamwengu has her own style of bag which has helped shape the other widows designs. Kamwengu is impressed with the work that Chikumbuso does in each and every student's life. Whenever Kamwengu has an issue or problem Chikumbuso is there helping her out. She has been with Chikumbuso since 2008 and now shares her time between the village and Ng'ombe.