The Incubator Fund covers start-up costs incurred by Indego Africa in building successful partnerships with new artisan groups. Indego Africa has identified several high-potential artisan groups to partner with, but we will not be able to support these early-stage women entrepreneurs without your help. These are their stories.
Introducing Ibyishimo!
Ibyishimo is a textile and sewing cooperative located in Kicukiru District, Rwanda. Formed in 2011, Ibyishimo consists of 12 artisans. The cooperative seeks to lift themselves and their families out of poverty using their own hands.
Ibyishimo is a textile and sewing cooperative located in Kicukiru District, Rwanda. Formed in 2011, Ibyishimo consists of 12 artisans. The cooperative seeks to lift themselves and their families out of poverty using their own hands.
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| The artisans of Ibyishimo and their families. |
Ibyishimo's Story
Indego Africa first met with members of Ibyishimo in the summer of 2012. Impressed by their work, Indego Africa began its diligence by commissioning samples that tested the cooperatives' sewing skills. After proving their sewing prowess, Indego Africa contracted Ibyishimo to participate in a customer order from Zink, an Austin-based handbag company.
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| Ibyishimo artisan with a completed Zink handbag. |
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| Clementine, President of Ibyishimo. |
How You Can Help
Ibyishimo cooperative shows great promise to flourish into a successful, productive business partner. Indego Africa has identified the following investments that will help Ibyishimo reach their full potential:
$50 - Ibyishimo has proven themselves adept at producing textile-only products, but many of Indego Africa's more complicated designs will require more design sampling with the cooperative. A $50 donation will cover one set of samples.
$100 - Ibyishimo has yet to register with the Rwandan government due to the high cost of registration. A $100 donation will cover the cost of registration for Ibyishimo.
$250 - One of Ibyishimo's expressed goals is to expand their activities by moving into a larger workspace. A $250 donation will provide an annual workplace subsidy so Ibyishimo can increase production and sales.
$500 - Ibyishimo requested financial management training to ensure financial stability and sustainability of the cooperative. A $500 donation will cover bookkeeping and accounting workshops for two potential partner cooperatives.
Donor Testimonial: Rachel Tennenbaum
"When I give to Indego, I know I’m giving to something big. There’s the fact I’m supporting a healthy livelihood for women in Rwanda, as well as supporting the creation of beautiful products. But also present is the understanding that I am contributing a larger change: a change in the development ecosystem, in women’s rights, and in cross-sector collaboration. Supporting Indego means supporting a new and innovative way of doing business – how can I resist that?"
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