SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

Through the Association of Women Tie-Dyers Project and the Soussi Small Loans Project, we worked directly with approximately 300 women entrepreneurs to sustainably grow their business. Our women artisans were provided with small business loans and materials (i.e. buckets, fabrics, pots, pans, colors) to run their business. Women artisans exchanged lessons on the best way to further their businesses using our peer-to-peer learning platform.

We collaborated with renowned designer Tory Burch for her Spring 2013 collection. The tie-dye fabrics of our women artisans were showcased at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama wore a dress from the Tory Burch collaboration for the inauguration of her Drink Up Campaign in 2013.

In 2014, we partnered with Lemlem, founded by Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede, to produce fabrics for their Fall 2014 collection. We also implemented an agriculture development project by forming an association of over 50 smallholder farmers and providing them with loans, seeds and fertilizers to promote food security in the community.

key matrics

  • 1

    Undertook a successful collaboration with renown designer Tory Burch for Spring 2013 collection

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    Sponsored the businesses of 5 groups of women artisans through the Association of Women Tie-Dyers Project.

  • 3

    Undertook a successful collaboration with renown super model Liya Kebede's brand Lemlem for Fall 2014.

  • 4

    Implemented an Agriculture Development project in the Community of Modiya- providing seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to farmers in the community.

  • 5

    Sponsored new groups of women entrepreneurs working on a variety of businesses including embroidery, crochet and soap-making

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Programs & Projects