Uses:
Kente is used for many purposes, more so than any other kind of cloth. For instance, it is used to make scarves for women, smocks, handkerchiefs, jumpers, jackets, caps, and any other kind of clothing. In Ghana, dignitaries, including traditional leaders, members of parliament, and even the President, use it! The Vice President of Ghana has even advised Ghanaians to dress in Kente every Friday to show appreciation to their Ghanaian culture, even within formal working environments! This is showing respect to Kente as a form of employment for the people of Ghana, in particular, its youth. The cloth is also used as a medium of celebrating festivals by the people of Kpetoe in the Volta region of Ghana.
Problems:
For some time now it has become very difficult to acquire the raw materials (mainly the spider web thread) due to unavailability of finances in many rural areas. As well, proper working facilities are not available. This threatens the economic development of those sectors.
Projects:
VARAS, with its first aim of ameliorating rural areas (where the Kente is mostly woven), wants to structure the weaving of Kente, to ease access to the thread, and also provide a decent work place for the weavers. This will help provide employment for the youth which will help improve their living conditions. An appeal is being made to everybody to help support this project by coming to Ghana to help with this implementation. Also, donations towards the development of the project would be very appreciated.
Benefits
Volunteers will acquire skills and also take the finished cloth products with them. They are encouraged to sell the products in Ghana or anywhere else in the world, as long as the profits are used to support further rural development projects (ex: construction of classroom blocks, bore holes, and providing of health care materials) managed by VARAS.
"The Evangelism / Philanthropy Project"
Poverty in Africa is a result of uneducated people. These people are attached to traditional and primitive attitudes and practices. No complete developments will occur in Africa if nothing is done about this mentality. There is a critical need to help us Africans to abandon our regressive, traditional ways.
VARAS believes that "good news" and "word of mouth", as well as Christian type beliefs, will change the poverty of Africa. We believe strongly that evangelists and philanthropists would make a tremendous impact on the African community if their help is properly carried out by caring volunteers and through organized projects. We invite all Christian oriented volunteers to please visit Ghana, or donate to our cause. Remember, 60% of the population of Africa lives in rural areas. Thank you.
