A YORK Fairtrade business based in USA is looking to expand by selling handcrafts from women in the country.
Amy Trumpeter one of the business owners got inspired to start the intiative of supporting local handcrafts when she visited Kigali recently after studying the 1994 genocide from a religious and historical perspective.
She joined a volunteering project organised through Global Volunteer Network with partner charity FVA (Faith Victory Assosciation) supporting women who were victims of gender-based violence.
She said: “During my time in Rwanda, I met an amazing woman called Habiba. She was pregnant during the genocide, but lost her baby because there was no access to healthcare, and she needed a midwife.”
Habiba now does beading to try to survive, yet the slow pace of tourist trade in Rwanda means she struggles to sell her work in her own country.
“I loved her beaded pens so much, and was amazed by her courage and determination, so I decided to support her,” said Amy.
Amy, who moved to York in September and lives Holgate, spent just £20 on the beads and equipment at the local market to help Habiba continue her business and promised to sell the pens back in the UK.
Amy said: “If I can sell just ten pens this month, this will pay for her children to go to school for a term, and help her to buy food and clothing.”
Habiba now sends about 30 pens a month and Amy sells crafts, including hand-woven baskets, earrings and wood carvings, for about 65 other Rwandan families through her business, Kigali Crafts.
She sells the items through York retailers including the ethical ONE Boutique, Bolsita Bags and The Gift Gallery, as well as online and at craft fairs.
Amy also holds fundraising events for the community and has joined up with fellow Fairtrade businessman Jeremy Piercy, of Shared Earth, who has set up Walk Against Crime to help give young people in Kenya a future.
Amy is helping set up a Karoake Against Crime fundraising event on October 22, and is currently looking for a DJ and caterer to help with the event.
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