The Souper Trooper’s African Worry Dolls have been stocked at AAFRICAA, a curated lifestyle emporium featuring the best of contemporary African design.
Cape Town, South Africa (11 January 2023) – The organisation Souper Troopers has landed an amazing deal that will help them offer support to the 25 “Troopers” currently in their programme. The organisation has been selling hand-crafted African Worry Dolls to create employment for the team, and now the dolls are being stocked at an exclusive V&A Waterfront store called “AAFRICAA”.
“Loosely based on the handmade miniature dolls which Guatemalan children whisper their worries to before placing under their pillows at night; to be gifted in the morning with the wisdom and courage they need; the team of once homeless Souper Troopers have applied their creativity and camaraderie to creating charming and colourful African dolls out of recycled materials: from fabric scraps to stockings to paper clips.”
The Souper Squad work in two teams, one team makes the bodies and the other, the clothing and hair. They are able to make up to 50 dolls in one day.
“Not only is there a peaceful sentiment behind the African Worry Dolls for those who purchase them, but the creation of these dolls is therapeutic for the makers themselves, many of whom have mental and physical challenges, in addition to their housing insecurity.
The workshop is a tranquil space in The Humanity Hub, a lovely old Woodstock building now occupied by Souper Troopers. The dolls sell for R90, and proceeds benefit Souper Troopers and its programmes and services.”
The dolls are designed to help children going through anxiety. The team shared that they have become a great aid for occupational therapists working with children too. But they are not only a good gift for a child, but these can also probably have great benefits for adults too!
“We are proud of the work our Souper Squad are doing in the creation of the African Worry Dolls, as well as the sustainability of the project, which relies on recycled materials. We would be grateful for any donations of materials, stockings, costume jewellery and we hope to see these uniquely handmade African Worry Dolls in more retail stores too.” – Kerry Hoffman
AAFRICAA is a uniquely curated lifestyle emporium featuring the best of contemporary African design.
The store places emphasis on crafted and artisanal luxury goods. The store has curated space to showcase exhibitions and collaborations in celebration of the African continent.
You can buy yourself or someone you love, a doll here if not based in Cape Town. If you would like to donate recycled material towards the making of new dolls, you can reach out to the team via email here.
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