This cooperative weave many of our beautiful, colourful, hand woven bowls, plates and baskets. This is the largest cooperative we work with and they are able to create employment for over 3,000 artisans across Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana.
The intricate designs and flawless work of an experienced weaver is never the result of luck. Rather, these women owe their skills to the women before them who passed on their knowledge from generation to generation—mother to daughter, grandmother to child. Natural, local materials are used to weave their baskets, such as sturdy sweet grass and soft sisal fibres. They use all natural dyes and so the production methods are ethical, kind on the earth, and sustainable.
They are provided with a fair wage for their work and are able to create a sustainable income for themselves. The income from these baskets enables these women to provide for their families, educate their children, and provide health insurance for their family.
These weavers have become respected local leaders and primary income earners of their households. Beyond these financial benefits, the baskets have also helped to provide a sense of pride and independence for the weavers. By working in partnership with this cooperative we are helping them to build a bridge between rural artisans and the rest of the world.
