An area group that raises money for South African schools and scholarships has raised more than $35,000 for the cause since the organization's conception.
Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-Cultural Education, or LATTICE, is a local nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting global understanding in elementary and secondary schools.
With unemployment as high as 40 percent in South Africa and education costs at about $150 per student, many children's educations are cut short, the group members said.
Tuition, books and uniforms add to the cost, which leads many South African women to fall back on their skills in the ancient art of basket weaving to raise money to provide their children with a basic education.
This is why LATTICE joined with Skills Dynamic in South Africa to export the weaver's baskets into the United States.
Some Lansing-area teachers and LATTICE members have created pen-pal relationships between their students and students in South Africa who received scholarships. The results have been rewarding, said Sally McClintock, founder and LATTICE board chairwoman.
"Students write back saying how much they love school and how much they love Shakespeare," said McClintock. "It is just worth every penny."
The group held their fifth annual Zulu basket sale at All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbott Road, Friday and Saturday.
Two hundred baskets were sold, with prices ranging from $25 to $300.
The money raised goes toward scholarships for South African students with financial need. Students who earn scholarships are supported throughout their entire education.
Some students even study at the university level.
LATTICE began 11 years ago as an international education partnership to link international graduate students with six different school districts in Mid-Michigan.
A year later, members became involved with Zulu educators after meeting at an international conference.
Basket weavers from South Africa soon after traveled to MSU on a grant and a relationship sprouted, McClintock said.
Five years ago, members of LATTICE began traveling to South Africa and bringing back baskets to sell.
The earth-toned baskets range in size and pattern and are made from palm leaves.
The leaves are dyed different shades of brown and tan by boiling roots, berries and bark.
Baskets can take from one to six weeks to complete.
McClintock said the relationship is also an important opportunity for LATTICE to gain an understanding of a different area of the world.
"We all need to have a perspective different than our own," she said. "We can't just have a Midwest, Michigan perspective.
"We need to expand, learn and grow from other cultures."
Julia McAdoo visited the basket sale Friday afternoon.
Visiting from Los Angeles, McAdoo said the sale was a great way to support a good cause.
"It's exciting for me to have the opportunity to buy original art that is not commercialized," she said. "I don't mind paying a little extra because the money benefits people who really need it."
