About Gone Rural and Gone Rural BoMake
Founded in 1992 to create employment for women in rural communities across Swaziland, Gone Rural sells beautifully crafted baskets made from locally grown sustainable natural fibers called lutindzi. The company employs approx. 700 women in rural communities across Swaziland, creating sustainable income for these women. Gone Rural has a sustainable development component which acts as a vehicle to enhance wellness and improve access to education. With 60% of population of Swaziland living under the poverty line, and the highest HIV rate in the world (approx. 40%), this influx of income is critical to the lives of the artisan women.
After being briefed on the details of the project, on July 31st, we visited the women in the village of Lamgabhi to meet with the artisans and better understand the order filling and lutindzi exchange. Language was certainly a barrier as many of the women spoke only siSwati. There are certain universal cues, however, that eliminate the need for verbal communication. Like the way that someone’s eyes light up when they greet you. The way that children shy away and then slowly creep towards you with intrigue.
We visited a Gogo (meaning elder person) at her homestead. She is probably in her late 60s and looks after her 8 grandchildren, two of which are double orphans. Only the double orphans qualify for a certain social program that provides modest monetary support to children. The woman we are staying with in Swaziland, supports these two children by providing groceries. We showed up with the groceries and Victoria broke down. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming experience.