i received a lovely email from maxine telling me about the bootstrap project – an organization she founded after travelling through swaziland in the summer of 2009, where she was inspired by artisan thembekile tsabedre’s hand crafted wooden platters (which are now sold out on their website.)

the bootstrap project’s mission is to create a sustainable platform to promote and retain centuries-old crafts and customs. we create the outlet for the local artisans. the proceeds of the sales go back to the artists and their communities, through our development partners, to empower them by providing the education and opportunity to retain, preserve and advance their fast-dying crafts, customs and way of life. by purchasing through bootstrap you allow artisans—who act as the catalyst for their whole communities—to end their own poverty. it’s trade not aid.

ps: if you’ve sent me an email recently please be patient, i’m currently playing a game of catch with my inbox