Indego Africa partners with artisans in Rwanda who make handwoven platters and baskets using raffia: a straw-like fiber that can be stripped from the inside of palm tree leaves. The fibers are found only in a special species of palm tree that grows abundantly across sub-Saharan Africa. The artisans weave the raffia fibers using a needle and thread, creating a range of shapes, designs, and products that look beautiful in natural or hand-dyed tones. Bhavana is honored to support Indego Africa over the years in their work to empower women in Rwanda through economic empowerment and job creation.

Indego Africa partner artisans have realized substantial gains over the  past 10 years.

The number of artisans that Indego works with has expanded from below 100 in 2008 to more than 1000 in 2017.

1. 98% of Indego’s partners in Rwanda and 82% of their partners in Ghana have health insurance for their entire families.

2. 90% of Indego’s partners in Ghana and 56% of their partners in Rwanda have electricity.

3. 60% of Indego’s partners in Rwanda and 50% of their partners in Ghana have access to clean water in their homes. In 2016, only 19% of their partners had access to clean water in their homes. That’s over a 200% increase from last year.

4. 100% of Indego’s partners in Ghana and 90% of their partners in Rwanda can afford to send all or most of their children to school.

 

To learn more go to indegoafrica.org