Taunina’s main reason for being is to meet the growing needs of disadvantaged communities around the world through employment creation and authentic empowerment. Our artists are people with real problems and big dreams – read their stories and you’ll see how Taunina has a powerful ability to change lives.
Our journey starts in South Africa, where only 45% of the population enjoys full-time employment. This lack of opportunity and widespread poverty has led to many well-documented challenges.
Through our Bear Essentials fund, 20% of our pre-tax profits will contribute to the housing, healthcare and education of Taunina artists and their families. Many of our artists have escaped to South Africa from harrowing conditions in countries such as Zimbabwe and Congo. Many never had the opportunity to finish high school or to secure a proper education for their children. They live in rudimentary makeshift houses with basic sanitation and often no electricity. Many of them are the sole breadwinners, providing for their children and extended families.
All artists will be provided with invaluable on-going life-skills training, including:
- Livelihood skills: hands-on vocational skills of stitching, embroidery, and appliqué to enable the creation of high-quality toys from designs; and
- Literacy skills: financial literacy skills and business management skills to empower artists to effectively gain access to and use financial services.
Furthermore, funds will be put towards improving housing conditions for the artists and their families, on a need-by-need basis. Children will receive funding towards their education: from tuition fees to books.
Stay tuned to learn more about how Taunina is changing lives.