INTERVIEW: Asaketure Ababire
I’m 40 years of age and I’ve never been to school. My parents didn’t make any effort to send me to school.
I’m married and I have 3 children, but I support 7 people altogether in my family.
To support my family I have been weaving traditional straw baskets. Before that I relied on my family to support me. I started weaving baskets about 21 years ago. The recycled baskets are made according to G-lish’s requests and they are difficult to weave.
The project has helped because it’s a ready market which allows us to weave regularly, unlike previously. I am able to pay my children’s school fees from the income from the baskets. I am able to make about 50 Cedis a month (US$35) or about 11 Cedis a week.
Our greatest challenge is poverty and no jobs. I most need financial assistance to expand my trade in baskets.
The trees I would like most are guava trees and mango trees for shade and for fruits.
To our customers, I want to tell them thank you very much. Also they should feel free to tell us what styles they want too.
Imagine doing something you never dreamed possible, in a place you didn't even know existed until now? G-lish Foundation operates an international volunteer program based in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region.
