Join Jazz Domino Holly, Sarah Corbett and the Craftivist Collective in their summer campaign: to promote awareness about the fact that one billion people go hungry every day, by canning and embroidering jars of tasty tomato jam.
As you know, I've been looking forward to summer since, well, December. And now I have one more thing to get me excited about the season to come: a mega-movement spearheaded by Craftivist Collective head Sarah Corbett. Her mission: to get all of us crafty folk involved in a summer of cooking and embroidery to promote sustainable food production and end hunger.
Sounds like a tall order, but Sarah's got some ideas for a first step.
Left: who knew that an embroidered jam cloth could make such a big statement?
To be part of this tasty little bit of Craftivism, make some nom-inducing tomato jam (recipe here), and then embellish the resulting jars with messages about how we can change the world and eliminate hunger.
Sell 'em for charity, give one to your elected representative to remind them that poverty and AIDS are still destroying the social fiber in many countries worldwide. Do what you like with them - but make sure it's something that could change the world.
How did this all start? On a recent visit to Kenya, Sarah met Christine - an older woman whose husband and sister both died of AIDS. Hard-working Christine makes and sells tomato jam at her local market in Kenya, while taking care of all the kids in her family. "She did back-breaking work and at the age she should be retired she is probably still working hard," recalls Sarah. "I will never forget meeting her."
When Sarah heard about Oxfam's GROW campaign, designed to eradicate the inequalities and inequities in food production that condemn one billion people to chronic hunger, it was obvious that Craftivist Collective could be a part of this initiative. Even better, the Women's Institute (WI) will also be involved, creating a triumvirate of charitable awesomeness!
Beginning in June and going all summer, this crafty campaign will build community while celebrating everything we love: stuff that tastes nice, live music, and making the world a better place. Check out this link for all the details.
We'll be there - in fact, Crafty Crafty editor-in-chief Lauren will be at a London event in person to scope out the scene and report on this crafty revolution in progress.
What would you embroider, to change the world? Inspire us, and your fellow readers, in our comments section.
[Images via the Craftivist Collective.]
