Meet the creators of the Rag Dolls

The Rag Dolls have been throughly tested in a UK testing house and are CE marked.

One of the questions when buying toys is "where did this toy come from?"

We all want to know that the toy we give to our child has been made in an ethical way and by people who are treated and paid fairly.

You can be assured that your Rag Doll has been made to the very highest standards by a workers co-operative. Each doll has a tag with the name of the worker that hand made the doll. 

Below is a brief resume of some of the Hooligans' workers. Some of the ladies did not want to appear on this website, and we have obviously respected their privacy but if you would like some more information on a particular lady please do email us on merrygorounduk@btconnect.com and we will ask Adri & Wayne ,the inspiration behind Hooliganskids,  to get some information for you

Name: Shakilla

Age: 39

Nationality: Indian

Personal Background:

Married with twin boys and a daughter. When Shakilla joined us, we found out that she came from a very abusive marriage and was also battling to rehabilitate her sons, who were addicted to drugs. After countless in-house counseling sessions, we are now proud to put forward, that Shakilla left her husband and now has a thriving family life. Both boys are done with drugs and the family now focuses on community rehabilitation in their own area. She has been with us now for over 14 years, working herself up in the company, to her present position – managing the doll department.

 

Name: Angie

Age: 40

Nationality Indian

Health Stroke paralysis

Personal Background Married with a son and daughter. From a strong Christian background, Angie never lost faith. She had a severe stroke when she was a teenager, leaving the one side of her face paralyzed. This disfigurement has not slowed Angie down. She came to us about three years ago and although unskilled, showed so much passion to learn and prove her worth, she became one of the initial founders of the beautiful handmade dolls. The beauty she puts into every piece promotes the beauty she hides within, that so many fail to see. Through in house counseling, Angie has seen her potential and worth to society and this has in turn, boosted a confidence in her that we see every day. She is no longer shy to show her face to those around her – instead, she glows as she gives each passer by a smile.

Hobbies: Creating the dolls gave Angie and inspiration to makes handmade inspirational gift boxes which she also now sells in her community.

 

 

Name: Bajabulile

Age: 33

Nationality: African

Personal Background: When ‘Jabu’ joined us – she was a single mother of a 15 year old boy battling with day to day support for her family and son. She is the sole provider for her family. Her mother and father, too old to work, and her son – now at school, doing extremely well. Her passion for life itself has been uplifting to all those around. She has her own personal struggle dealing with the health problems and her aid in showing others around her how precious life really is, is unmeasureable in this factory.

Hobbies: Athletics

 

 

Name: Michelle

Age: 19

Nationality: Indian

Personal Background: Michelle came to work with us just under a year ago. She was fresh out of school, and eager to follow her passion to create. She loves cooking, music, reading and learning, and when she joined us – she found a new passion to follow – and that was dolls. Michelle loves creating dolls and actually finds it very difficult to part with her creations. She wants to keep all of them.

 

 

Name: Promise

Age: 23

Nationality: African

Personal Background Promise joined us as a HIV mother of two. As a single mother, her main focus was to show those around her, that one person can make a difference. This young woman has so much love to give – her smile radiates through the building. Her name describes her best because when she gives of herself – whether it be personally or creatively, she follows through with everything she has.

 

 

Name: Vanessa

Age: 35

Nationality: Indian

Health: Excellent

Personal Background: When Vanessa joined us, it was apparent that she had come from a painful past. Very badly burnt as a child, Vanessa boasts the widest smile you could ever imagine. Her burns are all over her body – even her face, and on looking at her, you see what she must have had to endure growing up like that. This is no ordinary lady – her role in councelling others is truly inspirational. She is now the head seamstress in the Doll department and with her vibrant zest for life and motivational aura – who could want it any other way. This lady has skill, passion and flair. Another reason we should never judge a book by its cover…

Please call us for a stockist near you or if you would like to become a stockist.