Partners In Conservation works with 23 different cooperatives in Central Africa each year.  Following Fair Trade Standards, we purchase their handicrafts and ship it all back to Columbus. With the money made from selling their creations, artisans don’t need forest resources to meet the needs of their families. This list provides additional information on the artisans who made the items in the Auction and African Marketplace.

Amahoro ava Hejuru

These remarkable women are a tight-knit group of ladies from different ethnic backgrounds who have become influential leaders in their community. 

After the war, the women refused to become victims; they came together sharing their sewing skills and strength of purpose.  “As we sew together, we share our lives.”  Their support for each other brings them great joy and love for beauty which is evident in their work.

PIC met these ladies by chance in a Kigali hotel lobby in 2003 and have been bringing their wonderful products to the Fête ever since.  The quality and design of their fabric goods are the most beautiful that we’ve seen.

In the Rwandan language, Amahoro means ‘peace’.

APROHADE

APROHADE is the acronym for the “Association for the Promotion of the Handicapped and Disadvantaged.”  This cooperative is located in a non-descript building in Kigali, but word-of-mouth keeps customers coming to shop.  And that is just how PIC came to meet the ladies of APROHADE.

These women create the most amazing embroidery.  One piece of embroidery can take one woman working on it for 7 hours per day for a month!  Some of these intricate designs have been featured at past Rwandan Fêtes.

The ladies also make detailed designs from dried banana leaves.  The design on the back of the Fête gift tag each year is created by the ladies of this cooperative.

Komera Creations

This cooperative was started by two women who were members of Amahoro ava Hejuru.  They decided to start a new cooperative that could help disadvantaged women in a different part of Kigali.  To date, 10 women have joined the cooperative to learn and hone their sewing skills.  Their artistic vision when choosing fabrics leads to the beautiful purses and bags that are sold by PIC.

Jean Baptiste

Jean Baptiste is an artisan based in Kigali, Rwanda.  PIC has worked with Jean Baptiste for over fifteen years, having met him after his carvings were exhibited in an art show at the US Embassy in Rwanda.

Jean Baptiste creates these beautiful carvings using the roots of Olive trees.  He is very quick to let you know that the roots are from previously harvested trees.

Following the grain of the wood and curves of the roots, Jean Baptiste creates these graceful and elegant sculptures of animals (he especially loves giraffes) and traditional dancers.

Jean Marie

PIC met Jean Marie when he was a young apprentice in a wood carving cooperative.  After the cooperative dissolved, PIC lost track of its members.  Several years later, and in a different area of Rwanda, PIC was approached by a gentleman who remembered us.  Jean Marie had become a master carver who teaches the craft to others.

Jean Marie creates beautiful items.  He has carved new items after just seeing a photo…  animals such as a camel, a kangaroo, and a horse.  Jean Marie’s carvings are made from the Jacaranda tree, which is not native to Africa, and is not found inside the rainforest. 

Kinigi Carvers

PIC has worked for many years with the “Kinigi Carvers”, Joseph, Stephen, and Bosco.  The village of Kinigi is located near the Volcanoes National Park, home to the mountain gorillas.  PIC first met these men when they were young apprentice carvers.  As adults, these talented carvers work together designing and creating beautiful items crafted from wood including multiple sizes of gorillas, and the practical yet intricate walking sticks seen at the Fête.  Friendships forged when they were young continue enabling Joseph, Stephen, and Bosco to support their families by producing these beautiful and unique carved objects.

Strong Roots

Strong Roots is a multi-faceted organization, founded by PIC partner Dominque Bikaba.  Strong Roots is based in Bukavu outside Kahuzi-Biega National Park, home to the critically endangered Grauer’s, or eastern lowland, gorillas, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  PIC has been working with Strong Roots since 2006.  The first collaboration was to build a secondary school focused on the environment and agroforestry.  One school room was built each year until the school was complete.  Since 2009, PIC has been sponsoring a tree program initiated by Strong Roots.  Because of the proximity of villages to the forest, cutting down trees for fuel has put pressure on the forest, gorillas, and the other animals that live there.  Villagers are supplied with quick growing saplings that provide families with their own trees for firewood, resulting in reduced pressure on the forest.  Trees are also planted around the park boundary to help define the forest boundary and prevent soil erosion. As of 2019, almost 1.5 million trees have been planted!  Strong Roots founded a local carvers’ association that makes delightful animals carved from wood.  The ornaments are made from the Markhamia lutea tree which is native to Africa, and is not found inside the rainforest.  The carvers also benefit from Strong Root’s tree planting program.

SATEBA

Many of the PIC members still refer to this group as “Eric’s Co-op.”  PIC met Eric as he was selling items in a restaurant parking lot.  Through the sale of these handicrafts, Eric was helping a group of extremely disadvantaged people.  Through the sales that Eric could generate, the members of the cooperative were able to buy food and send their children to school. 

After Eric’s unexpected death, PIC was able to locate the cooperative to continue purchasing their handicrafts.  Utilizing banana leaf, jacaranda wood, corn husks, and wire, they are able to fashion animal ornaments, angels, and people performing everyday tasks.  As their largest client, PIC is able to employ this cooperative to prevent the need for their return to poaching. 

Frederick Ndabaramiye

Frederick lost a portion of each of his arms when he was 15 years old, as a result of the conflict in Rwanda.  He has turned that personal tragedy into a benefit for many people in Rwanda, being a co-founder of the Ubumwe Community Center (UCC).

Frederick is a talented artist who has been able to master his painting skills using his unique technique, painting without the use of hands.  His paintings are highly sought after and cherished by the many people who have met him or have attended one of his speaking engagements.  He is the subject of the book “Frederick, a Story of Boundless Hope’ and is featured in the documentary film, “I Am Able.”

PIC first met Frederick in 2000 when he lived at Roz Carr’s Imbabazi Orphanage, and has been a friend and supporter ever since.