SAME SKY ARTISAN: ANNONCIATE

Annonciate is a 46 year old HIV+ woman that lives in Lusaka, Zambia, one of the world’s worst HIV/AIDS afflicted regions. She has been a SAME SKY artisan since 2009, where she crochets beaded handmade jewelry.

Annociate is one of 12 artisans that SAME SKY employs through the AVEGA collective. At AVEGA, SAME SKY has provided the women with a safe and accessible workspace. The workspace has acted as a cooperative where the women can discuss the pressing social issues of their time like how to open a bank account, how to take foreign medication, and how to deal with domestic abuse.

Ever since Annonciate started working with SAME SKY she has been able to support her family and provide them with a sturdy home. She has been able to pay off her bank loans for the first time in her life. Lastly, but most importantly, Annonciate said that since I started working for SAME SKY, I am no longer lonely.