Dispatches
One Year Update
February 15, 2010
Questions & Answer: Suni Magyar
Does Banana Boat have new craft items for sale? You had mentioned bringing on more suppliers. Is this happening?
Yes we do have new craft items for sale and we are always buying from new suppliers. We have started to sell beautiful hand blown recycled glasses and vases which have recently started to be produced by a family on the outskirts of Kampala. They use recycled wine bottles and window panes. So far there is only one man who knows how to blow the glass but he is going to start training others. We have new coasters and bowls that are made from recycled papers and are great holding dry goods such as candies, fruits, keys, and any other bits and pieces. These are produced by an income generating project for vulnerable youth called Bantu Culture to help pay for higher education. We also have lovely new soft fabric bags that are produced by the mothers of children with special needs at the Mukisa Foundation which is a support centre providing…
Have you implemented the “stories” behind each product for sale at Banana Boat? If so, what has the response been like?
We are continuing to label many of our products and customers do really like this but we still have many labels still to do.
How is the overall production at Paper Craft going? What are the employment opportunities you offer?
The production at Paper Craft is going very well. They were very busy at Christmas producing corporate Christmas cards and calendars for many different companies in Kampala. The soap that paper craft produces is sold to many smaller guest houses and lodges in Uganda. Paper Craft are still continuing to produce lovely recycled glass beads which they make into necklaces and earrings. At the moment Paper Craft has 22 employees.
What has been the impact of Paper Craft and Banana Boat’s involvement in the local community and/or Ugandan population as a whole?
Together Banana Boat and Paper Craft support hundreds of families in Uganda which rely on our orders in able to have a regular supply of income.
Does Banana Boat still offer workshop opportunities for local crafters?
Yes we continue to help many suppliers with interest free loans to help them to purchase equipment or materials that they need.
