About F.R.E.E

An amazing transformation takes place when discarded electrical wire and a corroded copper hot water heater is hacked apart with a chisel, cleaned up and recycled or upcycled and discarded electrical wire into jewelry. A group of young, inexperienced women, have undergone a similar metamorphosis; with no previous jewelry making experience have taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Their skills have continually expanded and some women were trained in silversmithing. For women to make metal jewelry in Zambia defies gender norms. Women generally do not use tools, particularly hammers, power tools, or torches. Typically a women’s initiative is expected to sew or knit. It’s truly amazing to watch the women deftly work with their tools and create their designs while empowering themselves.