Expanded English Literacy Training and Enhanced Curriculum

Artisan partners deeply engaged in their studies.

This June, five additional partner cooperatives enrolled in Indego Africa's literacy training programs. This brings the total number of cooperatives participating in literacy training to nine. In addition to expanding the number of cooperatives involved in literacy training, Indego Africa fully revised the English literacy curriculum to ensure cooperative partners have the most advantageous learning outcomes. While English literacy training continues apace at Cocoki, Twiyubake, and Abasangiye, English is now also taught at the Ingenzi Knit Union (IKU), and Imirasire.  Kinyarwanda (Rwanda's native language) literacy trainings at Twiyubake, Abasangiye, and Covanya elevate the literacy capacity of the least literate women.

Indego Africa’s English literacy programs have a strong record of success and consistently soar beyond all expectations of progress. For example, when English literacy was first implemented at Cocoki in 2008, none of the artisans could speak English. By 2011 that number had increased to 61%. Indego Africa's educational trainings are the first adult literacy program in Rwanda to focus on the functional applications of reading and writing instruction in both English and Kinyarwanda. Recognizing the significant need and demand for literacy training, Indego Africa aims to further expand and improve upon its programs to the fullest extent possible.

As Rwanda transitions from Francophone to Anglophone, the importance of English literacy training grows. Seeing the need for its artisan partners to become competitive in the local and international market, Indego Africa prioritized English literacy trainings in the “Hand Up Training” program. As partner artisans gain proficiency in “doing business” in English, they also gain the independence required to engage international export markets on their own terms.

 Invest in Indego Africa's Literacy Training Programs

Indego Africa Hires Generation Rwanda Scholar Grace Tsuni

Indego Africa is happy to welcome Grace Tsuni Uwase to the Indego Africa team in Rwanda. Grace starts her role of Assistant Production Manager this week, following an eight month internship in Indego Africa's Production and Design department. Grace is the second Generation Rwanda scholar Indego Africa has hired as a full-time employee following their graduation. Welcome, Grace!

Grace Tsuni Uwase: Grace started as an intern with Indego Africa in November 2011. She supported the Director of Production & Design in all production activities in Rwanda. More specifically, she served as the main point of contact for partner cooperatives and assisted in product design. Grace graduates in biology conservation at the National University of Rwanda this year. She was recognized as Miss Talent for her recycled bottle tops earrings at her college. Her artistic skills date from her childhood; she used to draw and make crafts with her dad. She also took a 2-month painting training with one of the best painters in Rwanda. Grace finished her academic internship at UNDP - GEF/SGP in the spring of 2012.  In May 2013, Grace will travel to Malaysia for the Women Deliver Global Conference.

Grace helps an Indego Africa cooperative partner map out their 2012 strategic plan.

Read more about Indego Africa's 

 partnership with Generation Rwanda 

 

Exciting Changes at Indego Africa

In 2008, exactly four years ago, I boarded a plane to Rwanda for the first time. For the previous year I had served as pro bono counsel to my long-time friend Matt Mitro's nascent nonprofit, Indego Africa, and it was time to see firsthand what the organization actually did. Almost immediately after my arrival I met Indego Africa's artisan partners, and my life changed forever. These women had been through so much and were determined to better their lives and their communities through hard work and creativity. With Indego Africa's ability to provide otherwise unattainable access to education and global commerce, the sky was the limit. So, I returned to the U.S. and, with Orrick's incredible support, joined Matt full time to see if we could make Indego Africa's ambitious mission a reality.

Learning how to weave.

By taking one deliberate step forward at a time, and with your invaluable support, Indego Africa has succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. We are now a globally renowned social enterprise not only unleashing the potential of more than 500 remarkable entrepreneurs in Rwanda, but also leading the conversation about fair trade, design, ethics, and international development. It is in this context, with Indego Africa's bright future assured, that I proudly announce that this is my last day as CEO.

On July 16th, I start as the Director of Small Business Development at American Express (in NYC). My primary objective in this brand new role will be to spur economic development in the United States by creating and executing ground-up initiatives to help small businesses (particularly women-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned businesses), while at the same time growing the American Express footprint in the start up and youth entrepreneurship communities. I couldn't be more excited.

 Hanging with Matt and the women of Covanya.

Indego Africa's long-term sustainability derives not from its original leaders, but from an unwavering commitment to a robust business infrastructure, clear mission, great culture, and amazing partners. And, because of Indego Africa's dedication to succession planning, this is a time to celebrate as Indego Africa moves to even greater heights.

Conor French, who has been skillfully directing all of Indego Africa's operations for more than two years, will take over as CEO. Karen Yelick, coming to us after 24 years at Merrill Lynch, will serve as COO/CFO. Indego Africa's Creative Director, Deirdre McGuigan, will continue to drive forward our product development, retail relationships, and brand awareness. And Indego Africa's Country Director in Rwanda, Casey Cobell, will continue to build, refine, and oversee our in-country programs and partnerships. I will, of course, remain extremely involved as a member of Indego Africa's board of directors.

Indego Africa has completely changed the course of my life and the lives of thousands of people in Rwanda. I hope that it continues to play an important role in your lives as well. Thank you so much.

All the best,

Ben

PS - you can continue to reach me at ben.stone@indegoafrica.org.

PPS - want to learn more about Indego Africa and/or multiply the impact? Of course you do!

• Website (brand new!)
• Shop (and Nicole Miller, J.Crew, and Dannijo)
• Donate
• Facebook
• Twitter (and my personal Twitter handle is twitter.com/stonebenjam).

Introducing Indego Africa's Summer 2012 Interns

Its no secret that interns play an important role at Indego Africa. This summer, we are extremely lucky to have a team of dedicated, hardworking interns in New York and Rwanda. Its already shaping up to be one of our most productive summers yet, thanks in large part to the dynamic mix of students and professionals devoting their time to Indego Africa's mission. Meet the team that is helping Indego Africa make a difference!

Elizabeth Andrews (Programming, Rwanda): Elizabeth joined the Indego team as the Rwanda Summer Program Intern. She will be spending ten weeks living and working in Kigali learning about Indego's business model, production cycle, and conducting research on women's empowerment in Rwanda. This fall, Elizabeth will be entering her second and final year of graduate school at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, where she is concentrating in International Economic Affairs. Previously, Elizabeth worked on Capitol Hill for a female member of Congress and later at a lobbying firm as a Legislative Assistant working on telecommunications and financial regulatory reform issues. This past spring she worked with the Political and Public Leadership team at Vital Voices, an NGO that works to empower women economically, politically, and socially throughout the world. Her passion for women's empowerment has culminated in research papers covering global women's issues ranging from sex trafficking in Cambodia to women's rights in Islamic societies, specifically Afghanistan. Growing up, Elizabeth spent the summers living with her family in Berlin, Germany. Her passion for traveling and learning about different cultures has taken her across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This is her first time in Africa.

Rosie Avolio-Toly (Production, Rwanda): Rosie is a recent graduate with a degree in International Affairs. She first came to Rwanda in the summer of 2011 to teach English, which is where she first heard of Indego. Rosie jumped at the opportunity to come back to Rwanda to work with Indego as a Production Intern. At Indego Rosie is involved with the entire production process, from placing orders to conducting quality control and managing shipments. Her favorite part of the job is being in the field, chatting and forming connections  with all of the cooperatives.

Michael Foresta (Finance and Operations, New York): Mike is an undergraduate student at Colby College, where he is an Economics major with a minor in Italian Studies.  He traveled to Rwanda in 2009 with Indego Africa, and has been involved with the New York Regional Board and Volunteer Board ever since.  Mike is particularly interested in Indego Africa’s innovative strategy and business plan.  His experiences in Rwanda and with Indego Africa have helped him develop a passion for the country and its people that he carries into sharing the mission of Indego with others.

Tanya Gardner (Marketing, New York): In search of an organization that could benefit from her unusual skill set, Tanya heard the Indego Africa team speak at the Womensphere Conference in January and knew she had to get involved. Tanya has an MBA from the University of Michigan in Marketing & Strategy and was a fashion designer for 8 years before business school. Indego is a special organization, where design can influence far beyond the current fashion season. Tanya is eager to assist in Indego Africa’s mission to educate and empower women to help end poverty in Africa.

Fiona Heckscher (Legal, New York): Fiona is a JD/MBA candidate at Yale where she helps run the country’s largest conference for progressive lawyers (RebLaw). She lived and worked in South Africa, where she coordinated trainings and translated for the inaugural year of a school for community leaders from across the continent, and Mali, where she developed recommendations for healthcare practitioners based on field research at 6 clinics. Most recently she taught middle school science in Phoenix, Arizona with Teach for America. She earned a BA in Public Policy from Brown University where she sat on the committee that allocated Brown’s $650 million annual budget and ran a student/community partnership to address homelessness. She is excited to use her knowledge of law to achieve social impact in her work with Indego Africa this summer.

Courtney Istre (Brand and Marketing, New York): Hailing from the Land of 10,000 Lakes (Minneapolis, MN), Courtney worked predominantly in community and international public health prior to joining the Indego Africa team.  Most recently, after spending 18 months in South Africa working on HIV/AIDS national nursing policy with the Clinton Health Access Initiative and working on market research with a private fair trade project, she developed an obsession with trade-not-aid and women's economic empowerment in Africa.  She is ecstatic to intern with Indego Africa and explore NYC this summer.  Courtney graduated from the University of Michigan majoring in Spanish and Anthropology.

Erin Olander (Fundraising and Development, New York): Erin graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in History, International Studies, and French in 2012.  During her time at BC, Erin discovered a passion for women’s rights and economic empowerment, particularly in developing countries.  Her previous non-profit experience includes fund-raising and program development at MADRE, an international women’s human rights organization that seeks to meet the urgent needs of women in South America, Africa, and the Middle East.  While at BC, Erin served on the Executive Board of the university’s chapter of Strong Women Strong Girls, a national non-profit that pairs college mentors with at-risk 3rd-5th grade girls, teaching them the skills they need to build self-esteem and lead healthy lifestyles. In January of 2012, Erin went on an immersion trip to Uganda and Rwanda with 11 other BC students.  The group spent time visiting health clinics, schools, and religious centers in Kampala, Gulu, and Kigali.  Erin is excited to learn more about the field of social enterprise this summer at Indego Africa.

Eric Vorchheimer (Finance and Operations, New York): Eric is the summer 2012 Finance & Operations intern at Indego Africa. Eric joined the Indego Africa team because he is passionate about the organization's mission. Eric is a Finance and International Business double major at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, and  Indego's "trade, not aid," business model appeals greatly to him. At Georgetown, Eric is the Chief Investment Officer at Trebizond Investments, LLC and the Director of Curriculum at Strive for College. He enjoys soccer, being active, and playing the trumpet and looks forward to applying his business skills to Indego Africa this summer.

Join the Indego Africa team! Visit our website for internship postings.

A Very Successful New York Chic Summer Party

Indego Africa's New York Chic Summer Party was a rousing success! Product flew off the table, snapped up by a crowd that exceeded our expectations. The money raised helps fund training programs for our artisan partners. Judging by the abundance of pearly whites in the photos, we'd say everyone had a stellar evening!

Thanks to everyone who attended!

Shop our products online!

Organizers from the Regional Board! Become a Regional Board member.

Checking out the Annual Report and Social Impact Report.

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A very special thank you to the New York Regional Board for organizing a successful evening, SideBAR for generously providing the venue, and Roy Morrison for the wonderful photography.