139: RecycloCraftz

RecycloCraftz is fair trade, vocational training, literacy development ministry located in Zambia. Since 2008 we’ve been empowering women, men, and youth who are widowed, unemployed and orphaned.

Our 30+ artisans make purses, jewelry, aprons, paper bowls and more primarily from upcycled materials – fabric scraps, video tape, cardboard boxes, magazine pages, sale flyers and more. Most of the handmade products are exported to the US and sold at our Mellwood Art Center boutique, online, and at vending events around Louisville and beyond.

Founder, missionary, mom of eight, and occupational therapist, Tracy Murray, loves to see people learn. She recognized a need in the life of her national pastor and his wife who, together, were making less than $500/month as a full-time pastor and nurse midwife. They were trying to educate their three young adult children; because of their need, RecycloCraftz began.

Yet, there is a whole group of far more needy Zambians living in the ghetto compounds in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Living on less than $5/day they struggle in all areas of life.

To that end RecycloCraftz operates on a 7 Pillar Platform to help with vocational training- the fruits are the beautiful products sold here, educational enrichment/literacy development- with libraries and learning labs at our ministry center, financial stability – offering microloans and a savings program, secure housing, medical/disability outreach, nutritional care – with two gardens at our ministry center, and most importantly spiritual development and discipleship.

Your support and purchases open new possibilities of hope for a better tomorrow in Zambia.