The Evolution of the 10 Candidates of the 10,000 Women Program

The ten women accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Entrepreneurship certificate program attended a six-hour mentorship session with Yves, Indego Africa’s Accountant and Operations Associate, on Wednesday. 

The session aimed to help these women finalize skills concerning writing and structuring their business plans. In the meeting, the candidates: named their business, learned about expanding their business, how to work and talk with their employees and customers, how to deal with competitors, and how to grow a healthy and stable business.

Speaking with these women, they shared that the training has been very useful. They have learned how to be confident and independent. They now feel able to start their own business and handle it themselves.

“When I am studying, I feel like I am wearing a hat-a symbol of strength, independence and confidence kind of hat” said Anne-Marie. This experience has been an interesting journey where they are proud to have learned to handle their business and grow their cooperatives.

“Based on the diversity of their business plans and cooperatives they work in, the challenges they face are different. Reuniting all of them at once facilitates me to interact with them all at once and give them the ability to share ideas and learn from each others experience.” said Yves. He continued saying that these women are fast and enthusiastic learners. You can see their progress from where they were to now.

We encourage them on their learning journey!

Read each of the 10 candidates' profiles here!

-Aline Rurangirwa

Imirasire Learns the Ins and Outs of Indego Africa in Indego 101!

Last year, Indego Africa launched Indego 101, an initiative which seeks to promote transparency and open discussion with our partner cooperatives. Through participation in this three-hour session, each cooperative gains an understanding of our unique supply chain and partnership model.

Each artisan has the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback which enables Indego Africa staff to improve our relationships with artisan partners. Through the explanation of our role in providing market access, each cooperative begins to understand how they will eventually operate independently.

This past Monday, Imirasire, a weaving cooperative located in Mayange, completed their Indego 101 session. 

Learn more about Imirasire here and shop their products!

Here is some of our favorite feedback regarding our Hands Up training program and income generation:

“We are thankful for the trainings that we received, and it was through Indego Africa that I was able to participate in Goldman Sachs trainings for which I got a certificate.”- Donatha

“I have been able to pay fees for my children, buy health insurance, 

get a bank account, and get water for my house.”- Chantal

Through Indego 101, Indego Africa strengthens our relationships with our partner artisans while providing them encouragement and support. Indego Africa’s In-Country Director, Rosine Urujeni, concluded the session with motivational words: with effort and determination, these women can achieve anything.

    

A Mother's Love: The Story of Jacqueline Mukandahiro

Jacqueline Mukandahiro is the Vice President of Cocoki, a sewing cooperative of 30 women located in Kicukiro District. She is a mother of four children. 

Jacqueline with her 17-month-old daughter outside her home 

As a young girl and now a wife and mother herself, Jacqueline Mukandahiro’s own mother has always served as her inspiration. “When I was young, my mother cared for me and my siblings; she ensured we had whatever we needed. She taught us love and now encourages me to have patience in my marriage.”

This patience now comes in handy for Jacqueline who now juggles four children, her leadership role at Cocoki, training program participation, and her daily sewing and production responsibilities. She often makes sacrifices to strike the appropriate balance. “I have had to turn down extra work so that I can have more time with my children, and I am also not able to see my family as much because of my responsibilities at home.”

Despite these challenges, Jacqueline maintains balance, “They are all part of my responsibilities; therefore, I have to be organized and plan so that I have a time when I can handle each one of them.”

Before working with Indego Africa, Jacqueline struggled to provide for her family. “I used to work from home, and most of the time, the work was not enough. At times, we would have to go without a few things because the income was not enough.”

With the income she earns from Cocoki’s product sales, Jacqueline can better meet the needs of her family. She has even set aside and invested a portion of her income in repairing and improving her home. Applying what she has learned in Indego Africa’s Business Management & Entrepreneurship training, she has become more organized with her family’s finances.

In addition to providing financially for her children, Jacqueline hopes to instill values, such as mutual respect and education, in them much as her own mother did with her. “I want my children to respect people and have love for all, but most importantly, I want them to love to learn.” She encourages discipline and hard work, so they may set goals in their lives that will bring them fulfillment.

On Mother’s Day, we recognize the achievements and efforts made by mothers everywhere to guarantee their children’s happiness, health, and safety. Jacqueline acts as inspiration to all mothers who balance families and careers. She offers her own advice to them, “have patience, love, and care for your children.”

We applaud you, Jacqueline, and all mothers around the world not only on Mother’s Day, but every day.

Indego Hits the Kitchen with The Apron Project!

Indego Africa's newest collaboration (launched this week!) works toward the elimination of worldwide hunger and obesity! 

Ellen Gustafson, a sustainable food activist, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of FEED founded The Apron Project to combat the global food crisis. And guess what- their first apron collection is handmade by Cocoki!

This apron places the power in the chef’s hands to reclaim lives through food security and healthy eating. The purchase of an apron not only provides the women of Cocoki the ability to put food on the table for their families but also encourages homemade, nutritious eating. An eight-dollar portion of each apron sold benefits the ChangeDinner Fund of Food Tank, a think-tank initiative focused on researching ways to eliminate poverty, obesity, and the food crisis while creating networks of individuals and organizations to promote food system change.

Click here for a video of the women of Cocoki in action!

You support two initiatives in one colorful, hand-dyed apron! Now- let’s hop in the kitchen and change the way we think about eating!

A member of Cocoki models the finished product!

Don’t forget the kids! Stay tuned this summer for a collection of children’s aprons and bibs, so they can join in on the fun!

Interested in learning more? Check out this informative article, written by Gustafson, featuring The Apron Project, Indego Africa, and how we should rethink the way we eat. 

A Beautiful Spring Night of Fair-Trade Fashion!

Last Tuesday's New York Regional Board's Spring Fashion Trunk Show was a huge success! Our newest products were a hit with guests as they enjoyed wine, appetizers, and conversation with Indego Africa supporters and board members. The money raised through product sales help support educational training programs for our artisan partners. 

Shop our newest products here- just in time for Mother's Day!

Recognize those patterned bangles?! They pair perfectly with the agatako ring!

These lovely ladies are checking out the Kigali bracelets -
our newest collaboration with jewelry designer, Jill Golden!

Thanks to everyone who attended! 

Indego Africa also extends a special thank-you to the fabulous New York Regional Board for coordinating the event, our gracious hosts Bob Herrmann and Blair Bennett, and photographer Boukari Maiga! 

Interested in becoming more involved with Indego Africa? Consider becoming a regional board member!