WomenCraft is a Fair Trade certified social enterprise located in the northeast of Tanzania. They bring rural women together to facilitate their growth and connect them to global markets. WomenCraft engages and empowers over 600 female artisans. By commercialising their craft, these rural women can raise stronger families, stimulate their communities and inspire the world around them.
Founded in 2007 in the tri-border area of Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, WomenCraft works with female refugees and their hosting communities. Above all, their goal is to increase economic opportunities post-conflict. WomenCraft connects women from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they can work together towards one common goal. Consequently, these relationships have reduced tensions between former refugees and refugee-hosting communities and have built unity in a region marred by conflict.
Handwoven using local grasses and upcycled Gunia grain sacks
All products are handmade with natural and upcycled materials. In addition, the female artisans use traditional weaving techniques, passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. The weaving technique is very labour intensive so that even smaller products take several days to weave.
By Fabi Alvarez: Fabi is a marketeer, product developer and sustainable living advocate with 18 years of experience in startups, not-for-profits and market leaders worldwide.
