Macy’s sells a collection of handmade baskets that are part of their Rwanda Path to Peace program. These baskets are one-of-a kind craft pieces that provide sustainable income to the Rwandan women who create them.
In America we have a lot of things we take for granted. I remember talking to someone once who had only been in the US for a short time and he said that in his country you work just to survive but in America you work for things. It is so true and we take a lot of the basics for granted – basics like food, clothing, and shelter. We don’t have to worry so much about how we are going to survive.
Many people in some countries don’t have the same luxuries we have. For them, it is a matter of survival. The purchase of one of these baskets helps the women and their communities in Rwanda (sovereign state in East Africa) to survive and help support their families.
When I watch shows on TV and see people who suffer from things I could never imagine I feel helpless because it’s such a huge problem and I am only one person. This is just one small way I can help and in turn I get something I love for my home.
The purchase of one of these baskets are helping to change the lives of so many by helping Rwandans to afford clean water, SuperNet mosquito netting, medical insurance (which is readily available and affordable to protect the weavers and their families), and now they are able to pay school fees, purchase essential supplies like pencils, paper and text books, and provide shoes and clean uniforms.
You are helping real women like Mukantabana Sperancia.
Read her story:
My Name is Mukantabana Sperancia, and I am a survivor. Among the many who lost their lives in the genocide, were my husband, two of my children and my parents. Deeply grief-stricken, the pain of losing my loved ones was unbearable, and I was sure I’d never recover from the devastating loss. Read more
These baskets are beautifully made and make a great addition to your home. You could hang your basket on the wall or use it like a bowl to put fruit or vegetables. I have mine no the wall right now but sometimes I use it as a basket to put fruit in.
Each basket comes with a certificate of authenticity and a unique number that shows you have received a unique handmade basket.
Each basket has a small hook that has been woven in the design so you can hang it on the wall if I want.
To help support the Rwanda women, just visit the Macy’s site and find a store in your area that is selling one of these baskets. They make great gifts too and you can also purchase them online.
The Rwanda Path to Peace Project has been around since 2005 and today it is larger than ever, employing thousands of weavers and impacting tens of thousands of lives. The impact of the income-generating work the project creates Focused on trade, not aid, the Rwanda Path to Peace project puts the power of opportunity into the hands of the women of Rwanda, providing not only income but the chance to take an active role in the shaping of their future.
Disclosure: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with a complimentary Rwanda Path to Peace basket. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.