Voci Yetu — Art Atlas

One way missionaries have made a tangible difference in Huambo is through economic empowerment. Two such examples are Voci Yetu (a Catholic women’s co-op) and the Tabita doll factory. Each business began in the 1970s shortly after Angola gained independence from Portugal.

Women (most with disabilities) were provided manual sewing machines and trained with simple patterns to make various textile items such as bags, clothes and dolls.

Each doll is made to represent a certain city in Angola. This one has a baby on her back.

Their work has been perfected and improved upon over the years and they are able to support themselves and their families with the income raised providing an alternative to the back breaking labor of farming.

The women work in buildings without electricity but with great efficiency and a joy that is palatable.