They are parents and grandparents, they are farmers, they are friends, and they are role models. They laugh and bring laughter; they cry and comfort those around them; they live life and impact their communities in a unique way. These groups of remarkable women and men are supporting and coaching one another in their craft and in their lives as a whole. They have become our friends, and it is our pleasure to introduce them to you here.

The statement above is what connected me immediately to Azizi Life. Azizi Life is run by two Story Changers- Tom MacGregor and Christi Whitekettle. Their love for the Rwandan people is evident as you work with them.

Tom’s story is a story that I know many of us understand – after having “done the right thing”; pursuing University, working for a good company and earning good money, he began to question his direction and ask, “Is there more to life than this”? Tom knew in his heart he wanted to help people and remembered his love for Africa. He figured the best way of helping someone was to provide them with sustainable work so they could earn money and be able to pay for the things they need, and so began his journey…

Christi loves being creative and loves people, she is perfectly suited for her job! In 2003, she began to be burdened by the needs of people in the developing world. Her subsequent process of seeking ways to be a part of change landed her in Rwanda in July 2007. Her vision was to work in a way that helped community members to maximize their assets for their own development. In 2008 Christi began to work with Azizi Life, where there were already hundreds of artisans poised to maximize their skills and vision for their own development. She says it has been a privilege to serve as a bridge between the artisans and the global market, translating ideas and stories back and forth so that each can flourish.

In the Swahili language of East Africa, Azizi means excellent or treasured. Throughout Rwanda, groups of women and men have come together with skill and vision to use their art for the benefit of their families and communities. Azizi Life is privileged to partner with over 20 independent artisan groups in Rwanda, offering ideas and connections for the development of their art, faith, businesses, and lives as a whole. The groups vary in size but on average they have between 15 and 20 members, of whom about 95% are women. The women and men work hard and have vision for their community. They have skills, they have determination, and they have chosen to come together for the sake of their art and their livelihood.

The Story Company is so excited to work with a few Azizi’s Artisan groups including the Abizeranye Association and the Abahuzamugambi Cooperative.

The women of Abizeranye have made The Story Company’s beautiful Tea Swirl Bowls. Abizeranye’s weavers spend about two full days weaving a small bowl, and six days on a larger bowl. The women in the Association find great comfort in fellowship with one another. They have found friendship, happiness, and a renewed hope for the future as well as being able to support themselves and other family members financially.

The Abahuzamugambi Cooperative make our Deep Tray Banana Leaf Baskets. The cooperative began with one woman who had a desire to change the world around her. Immaculee Nyiramuhakwa was well aware of the poverty in her home and community. But she was also aware of the value of the weaving skills she possessed. At Immaculee’s invitation, a group of poor women from the community came together and began to learn an art with the hope of earning a livelihood. Thirteen years later, the Abahuzamugambi Cooperative- a group of 25 women and 3 men- is working with excellence in their area of specialty, creating functional household items from banana leaves.

By purchasing these lovely handmade items from Azizi Life, and proudly displaying them in your home, You become a Story Changer.

Ibyishimo

In my first conversation with Val Finnerty, who works with the Ibyishimo sewing co-op, located in Rwanda on the outskirts of Kigali, it was evident that she has a real love for the women in the cooperative and is proud of their work and the many goals they have achieved. No wonder! The women of the co-op began training in June of 2011 and are now producing beautiful handcrafted items made by foot- powered sewing machines. They began with 12 members, the majority of whom were unemployed or working alone in the fields for under a dollar a day to help support their families.

While listening to the interviews of the women of Ibyishimo, it is hard not to be moved by their stories. Women who have dealt with the harshest of conditions, heartbreaking hurts and pain, and yet they choose to move beyond it all for their families. Most of the women were not able to even finish grade school, but given the opportunity to learn and grow, they have worked very hard to overcome the many challenges involved in learning pattern drafting and design skills.

When I asked what the women of Ibyishimo hope and dream for, I was told that they dream for opportunities for their children – to attend school and have proper clothing and food. As the women begin to see some of those basic needs are met , then they feel free to dream bigger dreams, such as building a bigger workshop so that they might teach others to sew, creating their own businesses, seeing their marriages restored and helping others in their community have the ability to thrive.

Ibyishimo means “Joy” and the group chose this name for their co-op because of the joy that learning a valuable skill and earning a decent living is bringing to their lives. When they meet together their joy is evident . My favorite thing is watching them sing as they sew, and hearing about how they share their thoughts about marriage, family and healthy living to encourage and challenge each other. From these discussions and fellowship they have found confidence for themselves and hope for their future.

A hero is defined as, “A person noted for feats of courage and daring action, or a person noted for special achievement in a particular field.” The women of Ibyishimo are truly heros – courageous, daring against all odds, and notable because of their special achievements in the face of adversity.

By purchasing the beautiful, handmade products made by Ibyishimo, we all get to become a part of their story. Will you join me?

New Life Threads

Can you imagine losing both your parents at the age of 12 and being forced to flee your homeland? That was the reality for Therese, a precious woman who barely escaped the 1994 genocide in Rwanda by fleeing to Burundi. There she experienced more death threats, homelessness and starvation. When she returned to Rwanda, all that she had known was gone. She became pregnant after additional abuse at the hands of “friends” that took her in. Miraculously, she found several cousins still alive and as the oldest of them, Therese became the head of this new household. Life is very hard anywhere for a woman who is pregnant and alone, with no job skills, but even more so for a woman living in a third-world country with no safety net. The future could have looked completely different for Therese had she not connected with Africa New Life’s Family Center in Kigali, Rwanda. There she received job training, counseling and life skills support. Therese now has a job as a seamstress and helps make handbags and other products for New Life Threads. With a well-paying job and a healthy work environment, she is now able to support her family. She has hope, security, and she is smiling again!

The idea for New Life Threads was conceived when the founders were introduced to Africa New Life’s Family Center during a trip to Rwanda. They met the students and graduates, heard their stories, and were inspired by their talent, inner strength and desire to provide for their families. They saw the beautiful things that they made with colorful African fabrics and knew that there was a market for these items in America. They returned home and started a nonprofit with the goal of generating sales to support these women and their families. New Life Threads is 100% volunteer-led and 100% of their profits fund proven programs that are helping abandoned women, rescued prostitutes, single mothers and genocide survivors in Rwanda. Hope, dignity, even happiness become a reality for these women. There are many more women in Rwanda like Therese who desperately need hope and deserve a better life.

Umurimo

Our beautiful cowhorn bracelets are made by the Indego Africa Cooperative of Umurimo. An all men’s Cooperative located in Kicukiro, Rwanda, the majority of Umurimo members are former street children. Kicukiro, one of Rwanda's poorest districts, is located southeast of Kigali and is home to approximately 255,000 people.