Braiding Club Center

During my teenage years , i remember every girl wanted to be a shade or two lighter than their natural skin tone. Many could not wait to get a perm during the sommar holidays. I remember asking my mom for a skin lighting cream at the age of 15, and my mamma gave me the look that required no words and i knew the answer was a big NO. But that was the begining to my journey on loving my ñatural skin shade. I remember her teaching me easy affordible  skincare rutins like making my own coconut oils, aleovera oils, carrotte oils and within these she will give lengthy talks on why my skin shade is pretty, beautifull. As i started my own natural oils blending, she will always say "you glow just as you are " . And this to me meant the world . My friends commented on how my skin looked and wanted to know what i was using on my skin. I was too ashame and afraid to say i make and blend my own oils. Fears of rejection and not believing am doing the right thing ,fear that i will be nick-named the girl who cann't affort to buy over the counter skincare. But looking back 25 years ago who will think i can speak up today . Today i appreciate and give credit to my locally crafted oils to care for my beautifull skin and hair . 

 Braiding Club Center goal is to  increase awareness on Curly afro-hair ,gender equality and girls’ participation in building a society where they are safe, healthy, and have the power to decide their own future.

Questions on colorism ( homebase or  socitybased colorism ), gender inequalitues  and sterotypes will be addressed  in a holistic manner while equiping  girls,boys parents with an African heritage (both in Sweden and Cameroon) with life skills needed to speak up for change on  society Sterotypes on culy afro-hair and skin colour shades.

We will use media, photography,  dance and handcraft such as braiding  to approach difficult questions ‒ by encouraging skills in braiding and natural oil blending for hair and skincare.

We will be adressing sensitive questions on Skin bleenching in our culture and communities. Teach on how to speak up againts skinbleeching while proposing sustainable solutions .

We will identify skilled craftswomen/craftmen to  help set up small-scale associations in order to support this project.  These associations will establish Braiding clubs in primary schools ( In Cameroon)  to motivate children, especially girls, to become aware of their curly afro hair ,caring/ nutrishing it with the right products  hence creating a space for developing self confidence, skills and social equality.

We are looking for  funders who can fund our Braiding club in Sweden or in Cameroon. 

Any donations of braiding equipments such as dark skin maniquine for braiding , combs, salonng chairs hair dryers m.m will be very much welcome.

Are you a skincare soecilist or dermatologist and will like to give talks on bleeching ,you are welcome to making this vision visible and attainable.

We are also looking forward to partner in project management . 

Every input will be appreciated what ever it is you can offer us to realise this vision.

Mvh

Catherine Djiemo