Cheraldene Gqogqo, a 43-year-old mother of three, model, arts and crafts facilitator, motivational speaker, and community builder, is making waves in her community with her innovative arts and crafts initiative.
Her project, Deanscreations in collaboration with Craftyhands.com, is not just about creating beautiful art pieces but also about empowering women and children to overcome social ills and abuse through creativity and resilience.
Gqogqo’s arts and crafts sessions are held in children’s homes and safety shelters for abused women and children.
These sessions teach participants to use their hands and fingertips to design art pieces from recycled materials.
The initiative aims to instil resilience and provide a therapeutic outlet for those who have faced adversity.
Gqogqo hosted a special event titled ‘Ladies, Let’s Fix Your Crown’ late last month – a breakfast designed to remind women of their worth and preciousness, regardless of their circumstances.
The event encouraged women to stand together, pray together, and support each other in building a stronger community. Activities included motivational speeches, spiritual dancing, singing, lucky draws, and arts and crafts sessions.
The primary audience for Gqogqo’s events includes women, mothers, caretakers, and caregivers. By focusing on these groups, she aims to create a supportive network that fosters resilience and empowerment.
Growing up in disadvantaged environment, Gqogqo learned the value of resourcefulness and resilience. Her father, Freddie Jonas, built a donkey cart, and her family collected recyclable goods to sell for their next meal.
“These experiences shaped my belief that, regardless of circumstances, one can find ways to overcome social ills,” she said.
Gqogqo’s projects often involve recycling and up-cycling materials such as porridge boxes, tins, glass bottles, and plastic bottles.
Her own house was built using resources found on dumping sites, demonstrating the potential of up-cycling.
Cheraldene’s programmes include activities like ‘Who Am I,’ where participants use a ball to facilitate self-discovery and resilience.
“By creating and designing tools with their hands, participants learn to overcome the traumatic effects of abuse and move forward with a fresh mindset.”
Community members can support Cheraldene’s initiatives by contacting her, visiting the project sites, or making donations.
Contributions of beads, ribbons, offcut materials, and other crafting supplies are always welcome.
Local businesses are also encouraged to get involved, as their support can help sustain the program and provide hope to those in need.
Cheraldene’s dedication to her community has not gone unnoticed. She is a finalist in the Hope International Modelling Platform, where she will represent Kariega in Cape Town at the end of November 2024.
This platform will allow her to showcase how arts and crafts can bring about positive change and resilience in the community.
“No matter your upbringing, bloom where your seed has been planted. Bloom in grace,” Gqogqo concluded.
For more information, contact her on 065 606 7683, or email her at cheraldenegqgogqo@gmail.com.
