There were some colourful visitors to Ross last week when three highly skilled craftsmen from Timbuktu visited Parkfields Gallery. The gentlemen were in Ross as part of their plan to develop links between the people of Timbuktu and this country. Jump4Timbuktu is a fair trade organisation which is working to assist the peoples of Timbuktu in Mali to work their way out of poverty. Originally they worked with their twinned town Hay-on-Wye to market the high quality jewellery made by Timbuktu artisans. There is an attractive display of their leather and silver jewellery in Parkfields Gallery and it is hoped that more pieces will arrive shortly. Due to extreme weather conditions in Timbuktu, the Tuareg Artisans have no market for their jewellery for eight months of the year, making it impossible for them to sustain a living for themselves and their families. By marketing their crafts in the UK and beyond, the artists are directly paid a very fair price, providing a means to support their families and communities. With the help of supportive galleries like Parkfields Gallery, the profit returns to the people of Timbuktu through educational and medical projects developed by Jump4Timbuktu for the benefit of the entire community of Timbuktu. Visit Parkfields Gallery to view the work of the Tuareg artisans and jump to help the people of Timbuktu to trade their way out of poverty.
