MARKETS
SUMMER MARKET
WINTER MARKET
Other than donations, the funding that keeps Maasai Partners going comes from Market Sales. From the end of June until Christmas, Judy is busy selling product at her markets to raise money for our non-profit. In the summer, she has a spot at the Chilmark Flea Market on Martha’s Vineyard, and in the winter, she and a few other vendors take over the old Capawock Theatre in Vineyard Haven. She buys product either directly from artisans in Tanzania or wholesale African crafts from many good (mostly female) fair trade companies and non-profits. Read below for a sample preview into a couple of these companies and non-profits that we support.
Amani ya Juu is an example of how the power of peace can transform broken lives into ones of celebration and hope. In 1996, after fleeing the civil war in Liberia with her husband and four daughters, American missionary Becky Chinchen found herself in Kenya among other refugee women. It was from her own experience as a refugee that her vision of working with marginalized women emerged, and Amani ya Juu, or ”Peace from Above,” was born. With a personal loan of $500, they began making placemats in Becky’s home in Nairobi and selling them at hotels, events and local shops. Through the blend of business and ministry Amani ya Juu emerged as a holistic economic enterprise.
AMANI YA JUU
BeadWORKS works with over 1300 women artisans in 9 community conservancies in rural northern Kenya, indirectly benefitting over 7,800 people. Artisans bead in their free time in their respective communities, not in workshops. This allows them to carry out their semi-nomadic chores of caring for livestock and children, fetching water and firewood, and so much more. BeadWORKS provides a reliable, sustainable income for these women and their families. The women spend their money on food, education and medical needs for their families. BeadWORKS makes a range of products in jewelry, homewear, and fine Kenyan leather products enhanced with beadwork.
BEADWORKS
The Global Mamas network of producers has grown from six founding members in 2004 to nearly 400 producers in six communities across Ghana. The mission of Global Mamas is to create a life of prosperity for African women and their families. They define prosperity as financial well-being, good health, and happiness. They achieve prosperity by creating and selling handmade products of the highest quality, and are committed to achieving self-sufficiency (as individuals and as an organization). Global Mamas provides steady work in addition to equitable opportunities for women entrepreneurs to obtain the education, technology and capital they need to meet their personal and professional goals. They specialize in textiles, such as African batiks, clothing, bags and wallets.
GLOBAL MAMAS
Hidden Hope Foundation is a non-profit community based organization (CBO) that trains, empowers and employs people with disabilities in Karatu District, Northern Tanzania. Hidden Hope was founded by James Emanuel, son of the treasurer of the GWOCO women’s loan program, who we help to sponsor as part of our microfinance program. James gives steady, safe and reliable work to handicapped members of his community who may be otherwise unable to work. They make beautiful handicrafts, and can often replicate designs which are brought to them. The Hidden Hope Foundation is one talented, hardworking group of Tanzanians. They make everything from gourd lampshades and sandals to keychains and jewelry.