Rwanda


1
ARTISAN BUSINESS
PARTNER
1
COMMUNITY
WORKSHOP
8
YEARS OF
PARTNERSHIP
In 2011, we learned about a tenacious group of women in Rwanda who wanted to earn an income for their families, but were struggling to find regular work. Many of the women were genocide survivors, and some had even taken in children who had been orphaned during the violence. Noonday customers sponsored these women and helped them graduate sewing school and start their own co-op. Today these strong women enjoy a reliable income, ongoing training and support, and the opportunity to own their own business.

OVER 1 MILLION
accessory bags made with love since 2010

$3,028 DONATED
in 2020 for COVID-19 relief, school fees, and support for Africa New Life




Artisan Story



Rwanda

Asha



Techniques


Dutch Wax Print Fabric

Our Rwandan Artisan Partners are responsible for stitching the vibrant Dutch wax print accessory bags that much of our jewelry is shipped in. By providing this touch of Africa with every order, the Rwandan women help to create the unforgettable customer experience that our community loves!


Woven Sisal

To make woven decor items, our Artisan Partners hand weave natural sisal fibers over a core of locally gathered forest grasses. This is a traditional craft that is completed by women in rural villages who can work from home.




Rwanda on Flourish

EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN RWANDA: ASHA’S STORY

STEP BY STEP: BUSINESS AS A MEANS TO SUSTAINABLE IMPACT IN RWANDA

WHY WE GO: AMBASSADOR KELLI MAGEE’S RWANDAN ADVENTURE

WHY WE GO: AMBASSADOR KATIE BEARD IN RWANDA






Inside Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda is a tiny, beautiful country known as the "Land of 1,000 Hills."

It has been praised for its pursuit of gender equality among Sub-Saharan African countries, boasting the world's first majority female parliament and equal literacy rates for boys and girls.

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda had devastating effects on Rwanda's population and economy, resulting in an orphan and widow crisis and low education rates.

As a result of this crisis, many women began caring for the orphaned children of neighbors and relatives in addition to their own families.

COUNTRIES & TECHNIQUES
Afghanistan Hand Embroidered Textiles
East Asia Gold Plating
Ecuador Natural Seeds
Ethiopia Leather, Upcycled Artillery
Guatemala Handwoven Textiles, Beadwork
Haiti Beading, Hand Cut Leather
India Handmade Metal & Glass, Hand Cut Leather
Kenya Brass
Mexico Leather
Nepal Traditional Metalworking, Inlay
Peru Hand Embroidered Textiles, Brass & Sterling Silver
Rwanda Dutch Wax Print Fabric
Thailand Porcelain, Gold, Rice Paper
Uganda Paper Beads, Ethically Sourced Horn
Vietnam Ethically Sourced Water Buffalo Horn, Marble