german
frenchMama Tsunyo - help to self-help in the region of Kpando
Susanne Pollach, an artist (painting and sculptures) from Hamburg has initiated a successful self-help project for women in Kpando who make pottery. She would like to tell you about the origins of the project and how the cooperation with the women's group in Ghana developed.
"In 2005, when I was on a painting and study trip in Ghana/Volta region of Kpando Aloyi, I was awarded the honorary title "Queenmother - Mama Tsunyo" (Mama Good Earth) by the women. Ever since, I've been connected to these women and their families by a fond friendship. I had realized quite at the beginning that I wanted to support them with regard to health, education and in selling their pottery.
This is why in 2007 I joined aa/D in Bergheim with my initiative "Mama Tsunyo - help to self-help in the region of Kpando" as a corporative member. Here I have my own project account, in which the revenues from my paintings as well as donations are collected. Furthermore, I can use it to issue confirmations of payment for donations.
On my journey to Ghana in 2009, the first step was to provide all pottery women and their children with Health Insurance Cards.
Previously, the women hardly had any chance of transporting and selling their rather heavy artistic pottery. This is why I agreed with the women to rent a piece of land right next to a busy main street. Here a shop container has been placed that can be locked. On the roofed space behind the container, the women can now make their pottery at the pottery kilns and, without having to walk a long way, offer it for sale in the container shop.
The realization of all these measures has only been possible thanks to two contact persons from the region of Kpando that I got introduced to through the director of a regional orphanage for children with AIDS. They work for a government institution for training in adult education and for support in entrepreneurship as well as in the development of regional craftsmanship."
In November 2009, a highly successful charity exhibition took place in cooperation with 34 artists under the patronage of the honorary consul of the Republic of Ghana to Hamburg in the "Fabrik der Künste" (the "factory of arts") in Hamburg. Half of the revenue was donated to the project by the artists.
In the future, I would like to also support the orphanage for AIDS-infected children with regard to hygiene and health standards as well as childcare.