Rafiki Dolls were designed by Kathleen Miner, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire from 1989 to 1991
Rafiki Dolls were designed by Kathleen Miner, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire from 1989 to 1991. Kathleen began working with women who wanted to learn to sew. Eleven students learned to sew and make cloth dolls using local materials. The dolls were sold and eleven sewing machines were purchased for the students.
Working in Zaire is a special challenge. Materials are often hard to find and expensive (one gallon of enamel house paint is $80 US). Work is subject to disruption from fuel shortages, military unrest, political disturbances, and illness. Despite the difficulties, when Kathleen received an invitation to return to Zaire in 1995 and start another doll making project, she decided to go. The project was established in the city of Lubumbashi. Eleven students completed a nine week course in doll making. Rafiki dolls wear authentic dress styles, jewelry, and hair styles of Zaire. Each doll is individually made, painted, and dressed. These unique and lovely dolls are a true reflection of Zairian culture."
Guy Mutuku
The Rafiki Doll Project is sponsored by ADRA-Zaire (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) and by REACH-Italy (Render Effective Aid to Children). Both organizations support education for mothers and children. The objective of the Rafiki Doll Project is to provide women with a means to supplement their incomes.
For further information, contact:
ADRA
Cory and Date Vanderwerff
ADRA-Zaire, Rafiki Doll Project
c/o ADRA-International
12501 Old Columbia Pike Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904
REACH ITALIA
REACH-Italy
Via Aquileia
6
Cinesello Balsomo (MI)
ITALY
When Kathleen started teaching her first class in the village, some of the participants had never even used scissors & only one man in the village owned a sewing machine. I believe all of the sewing machines that were purchased from the sales of the dolls were hand crank (but they may have been treadle, I will have to check the facts on this).
In her original tour in 1991, one night- in the middle of the night- someone from the Peace Corps came to get Kathleen. The Peace Corps volunteers were being evacuated because of the civil war, which the US government decided placed the volunteers in an unsafe position. Kathleen was able to take some of the dolls with her to sell in the US for the villagers, that was about all she took.
