http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html Our web site is devoted to these African Market Baskets and the remarkable artisans who weave them. Proceeds from the sale of our baskets help to provide healthcare, school fees, and community buildings for the weavers and their children. http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#0 104d7fd5-214e-4506-9be7-8898bd1f4c8b http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/1_Ghana_map/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/1_Ghana_map/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">Bolgatanga is the largest town in the Upper East region of Ghana, about 20 miles South of the Burkina Faso border and very close to the edge of the Sahara Desert. The climate is extremely dry except for one rainy season which lasts about 2 or 3 months, making agriculture very difficult.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#1 2d6dd20d-b9f9-43f7-8853-c27ce53d1dbb http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/2_DSCN1533/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/2_DSCN1533/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">The weavers meet under these two trees in this village to work on their baskets. By meeting together like this, they can visit as they work and also the children are able to play together.  Basket weaving provides a much-needed income for many families in this region.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#2 b57ea0b7-5906-4598-97da-ff32e2bd1fe4 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/3_DSCN1542/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/3_DSCN1542/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">This close-up view shows the baskets at various stages of completion. The green bowl of water is used to soak the dry grass to make it pliable for weaving.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#3 4ce726df-afc7-41e0-b2db-7808b1679441 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/4_DSCN1567/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/4_DSCN1567/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">The dark blue here is probably from Indigo dye.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#4 8328d2d0-11ec-4a85-8f12-939aab53c0e2 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/5_DSCN1580/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/5_DSCN1580/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">All the extra strands of grass will be cut using a handheld razor blade once the weaving is complete</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#5 4556f9c3-7f84-4830-bea9-d4d1d789e946 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/6_DSCN1585/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/6_DSCN1585/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">She is beginning the top edge of the basket.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#6 ccd3c28c-2830-499f-942c-f65f24e9245f http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/7_DSCN1604/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/7_DSCN1604/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">This community center was built using proceeds from basket sales with help from some international aid groups. It provides a great work space for the weavers, especially in the rainy season.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#7 dc29ad61-6c28-40b2-9b1a-f5efb46ee524 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9e_DSCN1645/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9e_DSCN1645/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">Just outside the compound walls this man is dying some grass for basket weaving. Since firewood is so scarce, they normally use millet stalks or animal dung for fuel. The grass is wrapped into a tight bundle and submerged in the hot water.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#8 51a96ac7-2e6c-485b-89e8-4b58b3efb731 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9f_DSCN1659/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9f_DSCN1659/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">This picture shows the bundle of grass fibers dyed dark blue.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#9 a1126a8f-5914-4e5b-96f6-c2df2802e2b1 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9g_DSCN1722/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9g_DSCN1722/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">The family in another village adds the tanned goatskin to the basket handles after the weavers have completed the baskets. The leather handles make the baskets much stronger and also more comfortable in your hand.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#10 c6325cf0-dd0a-4283-9183-0af884946bef http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9h_DSCN1732/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9h_DSCN1732/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">Every third day there is a big basket market in Bolgatanga and all the weavers from the surrounding villages bring their baskets. It's quite a sight! Some people arrive with one basket and some with 5 - however many they made since the last market.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#11 0f38c5af-249d-4f56-9bf7-a547bf113d45 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9i_DSCN1761/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9i_DSCN1761/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">Here's another picture from the Bolgatanga market.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#12 ea803b85-c2e7-4a3b-b03f-6a0e7ff8acae http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9j_DSCN1810/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9j_DSCN1810/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">A brother and sister watching over their family's baskets for sale at the market.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#13 2f8aa8eb-a7a2-46d3-89e5-30e5bc84277c http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9k_DSCN1798/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9k_DSCN1798/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">Here are some of our baskets waiting to be shipped to the US.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#14 23c38c01-c07a-4770-91eb-0412b6d3b982 http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9l_DSCN1802/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9l_DSCN1802/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">Close up of our baskets in Bolgatanga.</span></p></div></div> http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More.html#15 084f88de-5e55-4de0-9294-0c7471185ecb http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9m_DSCN1795/thumb.jpg http://lendinghandllc.com/LendingHandllc.com/Learn_More_files/Media/9m_DSCN1795/micro.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_183_126"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style_1"><span style="line-height: 14px; " class="style_1">When the market ends, everyone loads up their baskets to haul them to wherever they're going. This hand truck is owned by a local man who charges for nearby deliveries.</span></p></div></div>