Uniting values ​​and creativity - An interview about the collaboration between Watoto Arts and The Hunger Project

Watoto Arts and The Hunger Project have joined in a unique collaboration to create a puppet set with an important message. With shared values ​​around social sustainability, inclusion and children's rights, a doll with an important message has been produced.

The doll was named Siyanda s om means "we are growing" in Zulu, a fitting name for the doll carrying a baby. The doll's clothes say Love. Nutrition. Rights and for each doll sold goes SEK 40 to The Hunger Project's work for children, and parents' right to nutritious food and a dignified life.

In this interview, we share insights about how the project took shape, what the collaboration means and what we are looking forward to with this collection.

Jessica Sunnebo is partner manager at The Hunger Project and it is with her that we developed the Siyanda doll .

How did you first find Watoto Arts?

- I have older children and was not met by Watoto Art's fine dolls as a "consumer", but first in the industry newsletter Impact Loop. I was impressed by Fatma and Hamid's fine company and products and delighted by how important sustainability is to them. I was also inspired by their journey, to develop their dream company in different ways during their early childhood years - with exciting milestones such as Reach for Change, that they won prizes and had interesting partnerships. It's also nice that they open up their fine doll factory in Solna for workshops and events, directly with the target groups.

Why did you want to initiate a collaboration?

- It is important that values ​​align in collaborations. We both work with social sustainability, protect inclusion, diversity and broadening perspectives. Our activities have a strong focus on women and children, which are target groups that Watoto Arts reaches. In the collaboration, a nice bridge is created for us to reach out with strengthening stories and knowledge from our programs in both Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are glad that Watoto Arts also felt this was a good match!

How was the process when you created the doll?

- It was important that the baby doll was included, meaning that they are sold as a set, to stimulate play and to illustrate the relationship between mother and child. Our focus in the collection is how nutrition and rights are so important for the baby's development and continued potential, and to get the embroidery "Love. Nutrition. Rights." in a nice way took a few turns. That the name Siyanda has a nice meaning is an added bonus.

What are you looking forward to with the collaboration?

- I hope that parents, grandparents and friends will want to make a statement by buying or giving away The Hunger Project doll. To spread curiosity and create conversations around the important message - no matter where we live in the world, we are united in the basic needs right from the start to be able to develop and feel good.

Thank you so much Jessica for a nice interview!