Playful patchwork cat is hand-stitched from fabric remnants and stuffed with shredded polyurethane foam and fiber. This patchwork toy is created by artisans of APE, an artisan workshop in Cairo, Egypt. APE was founded to improve the lives of people working in the city’s informal garbage collection industry.

APE is located in the Mokhattam section of the city, which is the traditional home for the city’s informal garbage collection industry. Individuals and families work together collecting refuse from all parts of Cairo, bringing it to their homes, separating it into different product categories, and then selling it to brokers. APE was founded in 1984 with the goal of building upon and improving the garbage collectors’ technical expertise, while improving their professional and educational opportunities. The weaving program was established to provide income opportunities for women in this community. In the past 15 years, APE has trained more 500 women.

• Fabric remnants, polyurethane foam stuffing
• 12Wx13H inches
• Made in Egypt