cedi, the krobo beadmaker
Linda met Cedi in 2001 while working on a Phase II UNESCO Project to improve bead production in West Africa. A team was put together in Ghana and planned to visit Mali to observe and recording bead making, raw material acquisition, production safety, environmental impact, marketing and sales.
At the Ghana airport, the team leader had to return home with another team member to collect his missing passport, leaving Cedi and Linda at the airport with time ticking away. The two boarded the plane and begged the stewardess to delay the departure since they were in mobile phone contact with the other team members rushing towards the gate. The plane departed, however, leaving Cedi and Linda without cefa, contact information, hotel arrangements, and without any knowledge of the French language. They managed to cobble together plans until the others arrived several hours later. During this time, Linda and Cedi cemented their friendship.
Cedi lives with his wife and children in a large family compound and work site. He is joined by his brother, sister and wife in their growing business.
