overty, unemployment, instability and violence are central to the life experiences of township and squatter communities in South Africa today. As a result there are a Large amount of of both malnourished children and destitute mothers who form the most vulnerable groups within these communities.

Philani was formed initially in 1980 on the initiative of women health workers in the Crossroads and Brown's Farm squatter communities in Cape Town. It is an independent nonprofit making organization and is loosely associated with community based health-care and development organizations in the region.

Out of this commitment has grown the need to provide self employment opportunities for these mothers by offering training programmes through which they are assisted to work with self reliance and confidence, to financially support themselves and their children.

The Philani Printing Project was established in 1986 to address these needs. It revolves around training programmes which are offered to all mothers attending the nutrition centres with their children. The mothers are taught how print and make paper, whilst the designs are left entirely to them. The results are a range of T-shirts, place mats, greeting cards, aprons, oven gloves and fabrics all entirely unique and hand designed. Themes range from daily township life, commercial items, to the women's interpretations of the events around them and in South Africa. Thus almost all items available from Philani are 100% unique and individual, the obvious exceptions being some greeting cards and T-shirts.

The project provides skills training, marketing expertise and crucial income to needy women and their families and strives to facilitate their empowerment.

Please click on the catalogue icon below to go directly to the Philani Flagship Printing Project catalogue. Unfortunately the order system is not working. You may also click here to go to the Philani website or deftly here to go to jakruby's website.