Co-operative for Artists Physically Handicapped in Abidjan
Craft Centre
CAHPA was started in 1981 to give men and women begging on the street an opportunity to live with dignity. Volunteers trained over 60 men and women in sewing skills using local materials, in shoe-mending, weaving and jewellery. Eight remain in the Centre. They are self-sufficient but since the coup d'etat in 1999 have relied totally on sales in Ireland.
The group have introduced new crafts and projects:
The morale is high and the group have their own ideas about further developing CAHPA.
They want to bring in and train new men and women, provide a weekly meal, set up courses in literacy, health and hygiene. This is a real development, when those helped want to reach out to others.
They continue to find new markets that are necessary to help CAHPA continue: these men and women are now fully trained and equipped to teach others. They run their Centre and source new crafts. New markets are necessary to keep CAHPA in operation.
Micheline, just weeks before she died of TB told Eirene 'CAHPA gives me something to live for... going to work gives me my independence and a real sense of who I am'. Janette says, 'Work makes me a valid person'.
Henri, who co-ordinates the work, has been there since the beginning. His children have achieved high educational standards... this family and all the artists, live in dignity, with hope. For them poverty is a reality... no sales, means, no life.
The morale is high and the group have their own ideas about further developing CAHPA.
They want to bring in and train new men and women, provide a weekly meal, set up courses in literacy, health and hygiene. This is a real development, when those helped want to reach out to others.
They continue to find new markets that are necessary to help CAHPA continue: these men and women are now fully trained and equipped to teach others. They run their Centre and source new crafts. New markets are necessary to keep CAHPA in operation.
Micheline, just weeks before she died of TB told Eirene 'CAHPA gives me something to live for... going to work gives me my independence and a real sense of who I am'. Janette says, 'Work makes me a valid person'.
Henri, who co-ordinates the work, has been there since the beginning. His children have achieved high educational standards... this family and all the artists, live in dignity, with hope. For them poverty is a reality... no sales, means, no life.
