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The war-torn province of Kosovo has been recovering from the
after effects of civil war. Unemployment remains high, particularly among
single-parent families. CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates) has started a handcrafts business in Kachanic,
serving 280 crafters, many of whom are widows and low-income mothers. They crochet fine quality lace products, which are marketed
in the States through a number of churches and individuals. While the
business' goal is to move toward self-sustainability ($20,000 of lace was
sold this past year), an increase of craft orders is required to meet
it's goal.
The village of
Kaçanik (pronounced “Kachaneeck”) and its surrounding area is home to about
40,000, and has seen its share of death, destruction and decimation from the
war. It is here that CAMA Services has been working to reach out to the Kosovar
women. CAMA’s motto is “Your Hands To A Hurting World”. CAMA’s representative,
Dianna Ullrich, has worked to establish a
micro interprise foundation in Kaçanik, where the CAMA Crafts project
has been based. CAMA realizes that one of the greatest needs of the women is
a means of making an income, and to do so, they are helping women start a small business
where their culturally-developed skills at crochet can be turned into
marketable products that can, in turn, be sold in the US.
The crocheting skill of the women is simply amazing, and products include
doilies, placemats, table scarves wall hangings and tablecloths.
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