Listen up for Lalela’s newest hand-printed scarves!

Lalela, from the Zulu word meaning “to listen”, is a non-profit organisation established by Andrea Kerzner during the World Cup in 2010 with a handful of students from the townships of Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay. Six years later, the project has reached 3 500 students nationally in South Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal) and internationally in places such Northern Uganda and the South Bronx in the United States. Lalela also recently formed a partnership with Keep A Child Alive at The Blue Roof Life Space managed by Zoe-Life in Wentworth Durban.

Lalela provides educational arts to at-risk youths to spark creative thinking and awaken the entrepreneurial spirit. Through Lalela’s arts curriculum and critical messaging component, the programme ignites imagination and teaches children how to map and manifest their dreams and goals, launching the possibility of a different future for themselves and their communities.

While Lalela produces many incredible artworks, the inspiration behind the scarves was to develop one product that would showcase the art as well as bring funds to the programmes. The idea of the scarves is to give people the choice of either framing them as gorgeous pieces of artwork or of course wearing them.

The designs are printed on soft modal and cashmere or cotton/silk blend fabric. The artwork is created by Lalela learners through the innovative curriculums. The themes are based on original art by Lalela students who express their dreams through art.

Each scarf tells a story and by wearing the scarves, one too becomes part of the story woven into these scarves. It is also so meaningful for Lalela learners to know that their artwork is worn all over the world. It comes with a swing tag which tells the story of the student whose artwork was used and their dreams for their future.

All of the profits made on the scarves go back to keeping Lalela sustainable and the funds are used to bring awareness to Lalela programmes. The specilaised programmes run every day after school and focus on female empowerment, leadership and music.

The scarves can be purchased through philosophyonline.co.za or through Singita Game Reserve and Opulent Living in Kloof Street, Cape Town.

For more information and to view a selection of scarves and artworks, visit: www.lalela.org or follow @lalelaproject on Facebook and Twitter.