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We are so excited to launch a special line of hand-embroidered children's clothes inspired by our partnership with Briar Handmade! These adorable outfits were styled and photographed on the daughters of our artisan partners at Ibaba Cooperative in Rwanda- the amazing embroiderers behind both the Izi Collection and our collection of beautiful, handmade baby bonnets in collaboration with Briar Handmade.
Jacqueline Musabyimana is one of Indego’s first artisan partners at Twiyubake Cooperative. As president of Twiyubake, the manager of her own cleaning company, a mother of six, and a leader in her community, Jacqueline knows what it means to be a hardworking and empowered woman. Since she began partnering with Indego in 2009, Jacqueline has used the lessons she has learned to build a prosperous future for herself and her family.
We sat down with some of our earliest artisan partners to find out what education means to them and why they are so passionate about their work with Indego!
Emelienne Nyiramana
Founder of Cocoki Cooperative & current Indego Africa Education Associate
Emelienne Nyiramana is one of Indego Africa’s first artisan partners (yes, from way back in 2007!), the founder of Cocoki Cooperative, and an inspiring testament to the power of education. Ten years ago, Emelienne was struggling to lift herself and her family out of poverty, but today - thanks to education and determination - Emelienne is a full-time Indego Africa staff member, a Teaching Associate at our Leadership Academy, and an influential mentor and leader in communities across Rwanda.
This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the hardworking mamas behind the Indego Africa collection. Read below for a special interview with the children of some of our amazing artisan partners in Rwanda!Originally posted on Glitter Guide.
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91% of the women we work with in Rwanda & Ghana are mothers. We couldn't be prouder to support these amazing ladies as they strive to provide for their families and create brighter futures for their children! That's why we interviewed the children of some of our amazing artisan partners in Rwanda. We wanted to hear directly from kids themselves about what they love the most about their moms. Who better to speak to the inspiring work ethic of these mamas than their own children?What does your mom do for work?
“My mom is a weaver- and she’s really good at it! She doesn’t rest until she finishes the product, and that makes me feel proud.” – David, 14 (Mom: Weaver at Covanya cooperative)
“My mom likes weaving because she is able to buy clothes, food, and school materials for our family with the money she earns. She taught me how to weave and now we make baskets together.” – Emeline, 10 (Mom: Weaver at Twiyubake cooperative)
How does it make you feel to see your mom working?
“It makes me so happy to see my mom embroidering. She is a very hardworking woman. Our neighbors always say that I should be proud to be a boy of such a mother.” – Anastaze, 14 (Mom: Embroiderer at Ibaba cooperative)
“My mom loves me so much, and I am proud of her too. It makes me feel happy to see my mom working because I like to learn from her and weave too.” – Pheline, 10 (Mom: Weaver at Twiyubake cooperative)
What makes your mom happy?
“The one thing that I know makes my mom happy is to see her daughter happy. I like the way she cares for the whole family and lives in harmony with our entire neighborhood. I am proud to be the daughter of such a helpful and friendly woman.” – Madeleine, 15 (Mom: Embroiderer at Ibaba cooperative)
What do you love the most about your mom? What makes you proud of her?
“My mom is beautiful and caring, and both of those things make me proud. When I grow up I want to learn how to embroider just like my mom.” – Rosine, 12 (Mom: Embroiderer at Ibaba cooperative)
“The most important thing that my mom has taught me is reading. She works hard and is preparing me to be a good teacher.” – Francine, 13 (Mom: Embroiderer at Ibaba cooperative)
“The thing that makes me most proud of my mom is that she works hard and is able to pay the school fees for her children. I know other children who miss class because their parents can’t afford their school fees, but my mom takes care of me and gives me the opportunity to learn.” – Faustin, 13 (Mom: Weaver at Twiyubake cooperative)
“I am proud of my mom because she provides for our family and always teaches me new things. She is the one who has helped me attend school.” – Patrick, 15 (Mom: Weaver at Imirasire cooperative)
“My mom is humble, helpful, beautiful and wise. She has taught me a lot of things, but learning how to read has been the most important.” – Justin, 10 (Mom: Weaver at Imirasire cooperative)
“I am proud of my mom because she works hard to be able to feed us and care for us at home, and that is inspiring. When I grow up, I will be a pilot. I want to become the first female aircraft pilot in my province.” – Benitha, 13 (Mom: Weaver at Imirasire cooperative)
“When it comes to my mom, there is nothing I am not proud of.” – Izeriyaremye, 11 (Mom: Embroiderer at Ibaba cooperative)
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At Indego Africa, we are inspired by our partners’ strength, their passion, their determination, and most of all their unconditional love for their children. Happy Mother’s Day to all the awesome moms out there!
This Mother’s Day, make a gift to honor your mom by empowering another.
This April, Briar Handmade founder, entrepreneur, and designer, Rachel Goode, travelled to Rwanda to meet the hardworking women artisans behind Briar and Indego’s limited-edition line of hand-embroidered baby bonnets!Hand-embroidered with heart by our artisan partners at Ibaba Cooperative in Rwanda, these adorable bonnets were inspired by Indego and Briar's mutual appreciation for beautiful, handmade products.Read our exclusive interview with Rachel below to hear more about the vision behind our collaboration and what meeting the women artisans of Ibaba meant to her and her family.How did this partnership come about? What got you excited about the project?Earlier last year, I was contacted by Indego Africa about a possible collaboration opportunity. After learning about Indego's mission and work, I was really compelled to make this partnership happen. I got really excited when I received some work samples and saw the impeccable handiwork of the artisans. I was blown away by the craftsmanship of the embroidery and knew how much customers would not only appreciate the product, but the story and people behind it. You brought your children and husband with you to Rwanda to meet these artisan. What was that like?It was an adventure to say the least! As this collaboration began, we were on the heels of coming back from another trip with our kids and had decided that traveling with them was something we wanted to make priority. We loved that this trip would not only expose them to a completely different culture, but also show them how Briar was working globally with other women. Being a blonde, fair skinned family, we certainly turned a lot of heads while we were there! it was like we had been transported to another world; magical and beautiful in its own way. Our kids still talk about Africa every day.What was the best part of your time in Rwanda?Two things really stood out! First, it was pretty surreal to meet the women that were embroidering our fabric. It was so impactful to realize that what I had started three years ago out of my home had migrated across the world and was literally in the hands of women in a country that is rebuilding itself.Also, spending time in the Akagera National Park was such a highlight for our family. It was hands-down the most fun part for the kids. You can;t beat walking along a walkway with monkeys at your fingertips, or seeing hippos playing in water 20 feet from you!What surprised you about the artisans you met in Rwanda?We visited several cooperatives, and the overwhelming tone in any conversation was, "Can you please bring us more work?" These women work long hours to support their families, and they truly appreciate having work sent their way! I was so surprised at how smitten they were with our kids. From hugs, to gifts, to picture-taking, their natural mothering tendencies really shined through. It was very sweet.What's the best piece of advice you have for women entrepreneurs across the world?Regardless of where you are in the world, having a community of women is essential. For me, it;s being in touch with other like-minded female entrepreneurs. We are so lucky in this day and age that we have social media to connect with other women; inspiration is right at our fingertips. As I've shared with other women starting businesses, it's impossible to do it on your own. Find the right people who can do what you do, but better.What's next for Briar Handmade x Indego Africa?I'd love to see us come out with more specialty embroidered bonnets in the future, but in the meantime, we have a brand new product making its debut this summer! We are so excited that a "Briar Basket" will be joining our Artisan collection: a hand-woven bloga (elephant grass) bassinet, perfect for little babes (wearing bonnets!). We are so excited!Shop the collection now
In the fall of 2016, Indego Africa launched a pilot project in collaboration with the...
Join us May 5th-7th at Eskayel’s new Williamsburg showroom for a pop-up shop featuring products designed and created by female artisans using up-cycled fabric remnants!Indego has partnered with Eskayel on a limited-edition collaboration made from up-cycled Eskayel fabric remnants and featuring baskets and bowls handmade by our amazing artisan partners in Rwanda. Other collaborations include sustainable adornments/art by Tamika Rivera of CUYO, and pouches and purses made by Honduran artisans in collaboration with Mi Esperanza. A selection of new upholstered items, flat weave rugs, prints, and more will also be available.Proceeds from the weekend-long pop-up sale will benefit the talented artisan partners of Indego Africa and Mi Esperanza.
OPENING PARTY
Date: Friday, May 5, 2017
Time: 6pm - 10pm
Location: 75 South 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 in Williamsburg between Berry and Wythe
Featuring tamale’s, mezcal, a salsa bar, tequila, and cava, plus shopping and the opportunity to visit with Mi Esperanza’s Co-Founder, Janet Hines, and our very own Creative Director, Deirdre King!
POP UP SHOP
Date: Saturday & Sunday, May 6 - 7, 2017
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Location: 75 South 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 in Williamsburg between Berry and Wythe
We are so excited to announce our newest piece of decor, handmade with heart for your home! These beautiful, handmade stools are carved from a single block of wood with a crescent-shaped seat and flat base. Their simple yet versatile design make them the perfect chair or table for your home.
Each stool is hand-carved by our artisan partners at Ahwiaa Woodcarvers Association in Ghana. The Senufo Stool is rooted not only in Ghana’s time-honored craft of woodcarving, but also in the rich cultural history and traditional designs of the Senufo tribes in Mali and Ivory Coast. Tradition has it that the Senufo Stool, or Golden Stool, floated out of the sky and landed on the lap of the first Ashanti king, Osei Tutu, who unified the Ghanaian people in the 17th Century. It was then declared that the soul of the nation resided in this stool.
Our take on the symbolic history, design, and craftsmanship of these stools make every piece unique; each has a different meaning for the person whose soul it seats.
We are excited to continue working with the Ahwiaa Wood Carvers Association to carry on Ghana’s legacy of traditional wood-carving and introduce the Senufo Stool to its growing collection of handmade products.
To shop our hand-carved Senufo Stools, and bring a touch of West African design to your home, click here.
