Former child soldiers, residents of African slum sell art through Caledonia store

A local photographer is bringing world changing fashion" to Canada with the work of artisans in Africa.

The Caledonia-based store, JustOne, partners with artisans in Kenya and Uganda, who are part of the enterprise's online marketplace.

The website sells fashion accessories, home decor and children's gifts made mostly from recycled materials.

Launched in 2012, the store has helped Kenyans in Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa, and former child soldiers in Uganda to exhibit and sell their art in Canada.

Since we partnered, we have seen artisans build homes, buy land, cattle, send their children to school and change their family's story," said JustOne's founder, Krista Jefferson.

Thinking about the Christmas season, Jefferson believes shopping with purpose can change people's lives. Every year, JustOne comes up with a different project to help the artisans, and this time was no different.

We increase prices by $2 every Black Friday, and those extra funds are donated instead to the artisan's children's' education, surgeries, funerals and any other extra costs," Jefferson said.

Jefferson had been a photographer for a decade when she began to feel restless and wanted to do something meaningful with her skills. At the time, Jefferson was a volunteer photographer at Sick Kids when she won a photo contest that took her to Africa.

After two weeks, the photographer returned with a life-changing souvenir, a necklace made by a Ugandan artisan - and a question: What do I do with all that I have seen and learned?"

Jefferson then sold the necklace on her photography website and eventually brought 200 more, which were quickly sold out. All the proceeds went to the women who crafted the necklaces.

The 46-year-old photographer said the goal is to provide dignified employment and a marketplace for the artists to sell their work. Jefferson goes to Uganda every year to touch base with partners. I have been to all their homes, met their children and had meals with them. They have also met my family."

During her trips, Jefferson had learned about the artisans' past as child soldiers and the impacts it had on the business.

I always refer to them as partners rather than artisans. That came out from a conversation after working with former child soldiers. They had lost their identity. We treat them as equal partners," Jefferson said.

Victor Otieno from Nairobi, Kenya said since he became a partner at JustOne he's been able to afford a better life. Since we started working with them I buy my cows, pay my school fees, clothes, rent and help my mom."

Jack Nyawanga, from Nairobi, Kenya, has been a partner for more than 10 years.

It's been a great partnership with friendly work. We have been able to achieve a lot in terms of our personal development as artisans," Nyawanga said. I have built my house and been able to get a better shelter for myself and my family."

Nyawanga said the profits are shared with his community, helping feed individuals in Africa's largest slum.

When it comes to our welfare, we have also been able to feed many individuals living in Kibera slums every Christmas," Nyawanga said. When it comes to education, it helps us not to worry about children's shoes, material and we still hope to achieve more."

Currently, the pieces range from $20 for a handcrafted brass hair pin made in Kenya to $50 for a handcrafted basket made of natural fibres and grass in Uganda.

We try to keep prices reasonable. The goal is creating employment instead of handing out money, there is more dignity to it," Jefferson said.

You can shop online and support the business at ShopJustOne.com.

Beatriz Baleeiro is a reporter at The Spectator.bbaleeiro@torstar.ca