Kikoi for a Cause – Kids of Kurland 2019 Workshop

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin

As part of Mungo’s Social Responsibility Initiative, MOVE, we recently hosted our second instalment of the Kids of Kurland Kikoi Project.

On July 17th, 16 students from Crags Primary School visited the Mungo Mill to learn about the ins-and-outs of making textiles – from the design stage to the finished product. The workshop gives learners the opportunity to create their very own kikoi in a colourway of their design. From the colourful creations, a winner will be picked, and the design will be sold in our stores and online.

I learned that technology can be used in a lot of different ways – for example making clothes. I chose the colours for my kikoi by thinking about the rainbow, and what it represents. I love what different colours can make you feel. I called my kikoi ‘Rainbow Nation.’ – Cruywadon Daniels

Profits from the sale of the kikoi will go towards Kids of Kurland, a charitable organisation that has been assisting with philanthropic and fundraising initiatives for the Kurland community since 2001. More specifically, sales from the Mungo KOK Kikoi will go towards funding one teacher’s salary each year.

My favourite part was looking at the old machines. I learned about how the different machines work and how to make colourful cloths. I chose my favourite colours for my design. – Llu-Esha Gysman

The workshop began with a tour of the Mungo Mill, with our weaving supervisor, Nicolette, explaining the weaving process – including how the shuttle and weft works, what types of fabric Mungo produces, how the inspection room operates and how the CMT (Cut, Make and Trim) works.

Learning about the weaving process with our weaving manager, Nicolette

I learned a lot of things about machines. And that you can do anything with colours. My design was inspired by a garden. I first thought about the garden and then chose my colours – Carlin Minnaar

Thereafter, the group moved onto the design stage, working with our designer, Lenore to choose their colour combinations, and learn about colour theory. Lenore gave some insight into the process of dyeing yarn, the colour wheel and how colours are made. The kids then dived in, designing their own stripe and giving it a name. Magazines were used as inspiration for selecting a colour palette, and the yarn was chosen accordingly.

I learned that designing is fun and that Mungo uses machines from long ago. I learnt that colours can change your life and make a brighter world. My favourite part of the day was making my design. – Dealon Korkee

Lenore will work on creating simulations of the kikoi using the children’s design. Mungo will put it to a vote to decide the winning colourway, which will then go into production.

In the meantime, you can still purchase the winning kikoi from last year, the ‘Hope Kikoi’ designed by Hope Davids.

The kids loved learning about how the looms work, and that colours don’t need to match. That ‘colours are like people – bringing a brighter world to others.’  The feedback from the kids was so positive. It was a worthwhile experience to expose them to something creative and different. – Monique, Marketing and Operations at Old Nick Village