Come travel with me to the Hillcrest Aids Center, 30km North-West of Durban South Africa, amongst the rolling green Hills of Kwa Zulu Natal.
The Arts and Crafts at the Centre are hand made by the people who are affected by HIV Aids, enabling them to earn a living.
The center was founded in 1990, and is run by a non-profit organization who are dedicated to provide unconditional hope and love to all those who are impacted by Aids, and assist their needs by providing the necessary services in practical ways.
It's such a wonderful experience when one walks into the center and see the awesome talent on walls and benches, lovingly decorated with their colorful art, like this mosaiced bench.
The Centers arts and crafts, also the sewing, is well sort after and has a waiting list for their amazing creations, nothing is too difficult for them.
Some of the art work in the Gallery.
There Art Work is influenced by their way of life and traditions.
Kwa Zulu Natal is home to the Zulu Tribe, they're a very proud and respectful people with strong beliefs in their Ancestral Spirits.
Mixed medium art works can be seen every where in the center.
One can see the influence of every day life around them, in these beautifully mosaic benches.
The tranquility of the place is very humbling, as one sits and watches the interaction between the workers there.
Let's take a look inside the Gallery and Shop.
Oh!...by the way, let me first tell you what the word Woza means in English...WOZA, derived from isiZulu directly translates to "come on" or to "hurry up"..."Moya" means "Spirit"...can mean "Come Spirit of Change"... "Woza Moya".
A beautiful wooden angel, waiting to greet one as one enters the shop.
Hand made figurines and beads, displayed for sale.
I was fascinated by the bags made from recycled Maize and rice bags.
They're so well made, it's amazing what they can do with recycled material.
The bead work is so amazing and colorful.
The bowls are made with such amazing skill, the beads are strung one by one onto a wire then formed into an elegant bowl.
An amazing bird painting waiting to adorn someone's home.
One can buy a gift for every need in this amazing shop, full of awesome souvenirs for the traveler passing through,
It's so amazing to see all the different styles of creativity expressed through these people's art, one can almost feel their emotions and desires, experiencing their world with them.
There is so much to see, I wasn't able to photograph it all at once.
Even the stairway is painted with brightly colored animals.
Wooden carved angels guarding the area.
Dolls and bags made from their special printed African fabric.
Beautifully made scatter cushions for the couch to keep one comfortable.
The beaded bowls are really beautiful, and made with absolute love and care.
The dedication and skill that goes into the craft work, is just absolutely amazing.
Even the fur kids haven't been forgotten, hand sewn beds and blankets to keep them warm.
Hand died and printed fabrics beautifully displayed for sale.
More popular souvenirs to take home with you.
I was fascinated by the intricate work that went into creating this amazing Zulu lady doll, I don't think I'd have the patience to even attempt to do what these amazing people create with their hands.
I went and had a peep into the haberdashery room, everything neatly in its place.
Everything they need to create their beautiful products, is at hand in this little room.
This beautiful runner, and colorful African art designed foot pouf, to rest ones weary feet on while watching TV.
I have one, they're amazing.
Once a month, the center has A bidding Day, where they bid on the Artist's work.
Hand painted bags originally signed by the artist.
Beautiful hand painted ceramic plates and mugs displayed every where in the shop, ready to be bought up to decorate someone's dinner table.
Hanging recycled bottles made into decorative art, I thought that was very unique.
Soft toys rabbit family for the kids, made with lots of love.
Mobile beaded birds swing in the air, observing the coming and going of people below.
These genuine leather hand-bags are made by skilled people from the center.
So much to see and purchase, it's just impossible to post everything.
The walls and stairways are colorfully painted with animals and birds.
I almost tripped going up, admiring the art work Lol!.
The center truly depicts the spirit of the African culture and their way of life, conveying it to the world.
The Arts and Crafts are of a high standard and is made by people who are suffering and living with HIV Aids, every sent that is spent on these items, is truly worth it.
I love this stained glass piece of art. I wanted to take it home, but hubby talked me out of it in the end, he was right, where would I put it?....It's to beautiful to leave closed up in a closet.
We made our way back down the stairs after walking around for around two hours admiring each piece of craft and art work.
We took one last look around the garden, then the little Coffee Shop caught my eye in the distance.
This quaint little shop offers a weekly special of delicious cakes, sandwiches and burgers with a lovely cup of home brewed coffee to wash it down.
The Coffee Shop is also decorated with beautiful Bird Art.
So...if ever you're in Hillcrest Kwa Zulu Natal, Please pop into the Woza Moya Craft Center (Hillcrest Aids Center), you wont regret it.
Like the Zulu people say, Woza,( hurry up and come).
Thank you for coming along with me on my trip to the Aids Center.
Oh, by the way, I went their to buy some picture frames for my own Arts and Crafts
I found some very nice cheap wooden frames in the second hand thrift shop.
I'll be going back soon for more.
I hope you have enjoyed the trip as much as I've enjoyed sharing part of my community with you.
Safe traveling to you all.
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Original content by @artywink
