Thurles craft fair in aid of Zimbabwe school project

A unique opportunity to find a special Christmas gift will be presented at this Sunday’s craft fair at the Anner Hotel in Thurles.

Featuring a wide selection of stalls entered by craftspeople from across north Tipperary, the fair serves to raise funds for a widow and orphans project in Zimbabwe. Skilled wood carver Paradzai Havatitye of Roscrea will next month travel with a small group to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, to help out with a school project.

The project, which was founded by a widow called Eunister Ndlovu, aims to help women who did not get an opportunity to gain second level education, and widows who have been left to raise their children on their own.

Many of them are young women who have lost their husbands to HIV and other illnesses. They are taught basic skills, such as how to sew clothes for their children.

Over the last year, the kindness of local donors has helped the school to provide food packages and clothing to children. Women from all walks of life have attended the school and gained skills that have helped them to make clothing for their families, some even going on to gain employment.

At present the school meets in an outdoor shed built onto the back of Eunister's house. Last year an opportunity arose to begin teaching women in another community outside the city. The funds raised at the craft fair will help acquire a strong marquee to use as a classroom for teaching the women in the new location.

Paradzai, who came to Ireland from Zimbabwe around 25 years ago, is organising the fair along with Pamela Troy of Roscrea. It will feature an array of crafts, gifts, chocolates, Christmas puddings, and much more, all handmade by local artists and artisans. There will also be a raffle with some great prizes contributed by the craftspeople, with all proceeds going towards the project in Zimbabwe.

The fair will run at the Anner Hotel in Thurles from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free and Covid-19 guidelines will be observed.

Visit Havatitye Sculptures on Facebook or contact 086 8731882 for more information.