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Wow Imports offers an exclusive selection of personalized jewelry in sterling silver and 14k gold including personalized rings and personalized name plate necklaces.
Recycled Plastic Bag Animals
Our
fair trade African recycled plastic bag animals are made
from a high percentage of used plastic bags and some of
the new plastic bags are recycled - post consumer.
The recycled plastic bags crafters make many items. We offer the plastic bags animals including recycled plastic bag chickens, roosters, dogs, pigs, zebras, flamingos, turkeys, owls and deer.
The
recycled plastic bag crafters work in small groups for
themselves. Most of these crafters are from townships
near Cape Town.
The
first person to make a recycled plastic bag animal is
known as Isaac. He was born in the Eastern Cape. In 1984
riots forced him to leave after only 8 years of
schooling. He went to stay with an Aunt in Cape Town. In
1992 he was involved in a serious accident. While
visiting his mother in Johannesburg in 1996 and worrying
about his future, as he was unable to keep a regular job
due to his injuries, he meant a Ghanaian man who taught
him to make paper flowers. He decided to replace the
paper for plastic and began making plastic bag flowers
and finally made his first plastic bag chicken. They
became immediately popular. Since then he became known
as the chicken man and has trained a dozen people in his
community. Seven of his trainees set up their own
business of plastic bag animals and more. Today Isaac
employs 8 crafters and is able to educate his son, live
in a modest home, own a car and provide livelihood for
others.
One of Isaac's trainees is named Peacemaker. He was educated through the 4th grade. Due to unrest and financial problems he was sent to live with his grandmother in the Free State and never continued his education. As a child he learned that he was a talented crafter and could make animals from most media. Using his talents he has also trained 4 women to make recycled plastic bag animals and more. He is also a talented musician and has his own band.
As our fair trade recycled plastic bag animals are handmade the sizes, colors and shapes may vary somewhat from those shown.