Sculpture Carvers

---> Look here for sculpture sales!

Jaiaen will be in Zimbabwe from October 1st through November 3rd and unavailable to fill sculpture orders until she returns - bringing new stock fresh for the holidays!

Serpentine Sculptors
    One way to raise money for Nhimbe for Progress is through the sales of the exquisite stone sculptures carved from the Tendai Village. The Tendai's were born in the rural village of Chandiwana. They live in the Mhondoro area near Mbudzurume mountains. The extended Tendai family consists of more than 25 members. The immediate family of eight brothers and one sister are as follows by age:

• Taf (Tafireyi), with wife Ruth Mawire, and children Patience, Perseverance and Edwin.
• Jameson with wife Chipo Chiveshe, and children Linate, Alice, and son Shelton.
• Charles, with wife Anna, twin daughters Faith and Fortune and son Frank.
• Osten passed on in 2003, leaving his wife Yunnah with one child Brenda.
• Denford is married to Trish Mamvura, having one girl, Natasha.
• Edward is the sixth son. He is not married.
• Anna is the only girl. She is not married.
• Victor is near to completing school.
• Allen is the youngest and still in school.
    All of the elder members of the family received a very limited education due to the family's poverty and due to the war (Zimbabwe's struggle for independence). After very hard times working the land for food, and after a number of poorly paid jobs, Charles was the first to seek alternatives. The story of his childhood reflects the difficulties often faced by children in Zimbabwe.

Charles Tendai Family Story (© Earth to Spirit)
    When Charles was seven years old, he started primary school, but was unable to continue that year because of his family's lack of money. Two years later, he started again. (It isn't unusual to find children of very different ages studying together in the same grade.). This time, the outbreak of war ended his studies after just three months. In 1980, at the age of 13, once again he started primary school and studied for 5 years, which qualified him to attend a community secondary school. However, after completing 2 years, he was unable to continue, as his father had no money for school fees.

    In 1990, Charles joined a group of sculptors in Harare for 8 months. There he learned stone sculpting from an older artist. Seeing his early success, the brothers sought Charles' help in learning these skills. It was soon obvious that most of the family too had a talent for it. Their wives also carve, as well as help with finishing, polishing and marketing!

    Fate has given the family a small outcrop of the best type of serpentine on their land, so that early on, they were able to make some money digging stone for other artists. Nowadays, they keep it all for themselves! For the right exchange they trade stone with other miners having serpentine to provied their work with more variety.

    Now they work together in their rural village, earning a worthwhile living enabling them to support their children and give them the education that they had missed.

Fund Raising
    Please contact us for more information about these beautiful carvings, which like marimba music, are becoming traditions. This style of stone carving is a recent development (3^rd generation) in Zimbabwean history, and reflects the deep and rich culture of their roots. All proceeds from the sale of this sculpture goes to help fund the projects with serve the 7 villages in Nhimbe for Progress, including the Tendai Village. Most recently we built a toilet for the village. The people in Mhondoro thank you...Tatenda! We also thank you!

    See pictures as well as explanation of sculptures symbolisms of some stock on hand by viewing sculpture pictures.

    Write or call for more information on specific sculpture availability! WE SHIP!