The Imena is a limited-edition design created by refugee artisans in honor of World Refugee Day. Louise U. and her group named their design 'Imena' which means 'Faith' in Kinyarwanda. Louise is based in the Kigeme Refugee Camp and a member of the Hope Cooperative, one of Indego Africa's newest partner cooperatives. In 2023 she joined an interactive design workshop and brought her vision to life. Each original design in the HOPE Collection is a labor of love and an expression of hope. 12" W x 3" H Hand-dyed in a variety of colors including pink, tan, and white Made from strands of sisal wrapped around bunches of sweetgrass Includes a loop on the back for hanging Locally sourced fibers Hang it on the wall, use as a fruit basket, or style as an accent piece in your favorite nook around your home or office Due to it's handmade quality, some size and color variation may occur Behind The Design: Coil weaving is the oldest known weaving technique, with examples dating back 10,000 - 12,000 years. Each of our partners based in Rwanda, including our refugee partners, is skilled in coil weaving. Prized for both functionality and beauty, it's the first technique new artisans learn during vocational training & the first used when joining a cooperative. Found inside the Agave plant, sisal fibers are fine but incredibly strong, with a naturally light color great for dying. Rwandan artisans often use sisal in their traditional coil weaving technique where hand dyed threads are wrapped around bunches of sweetgrass to create a tight coil that can be woven in a range of colors and patterns. Impact The artisan sector is the second largest employer in the developing world. Yet the majority of artisans are women who lack access to export markets, business skills, and the financial tools needed to run successful global enterprises. We are dedicated to changing that by investing 100% of our profits into education programs for the women who handcraft our products and youth in their communities. Since 2007, we've provided over 1,100 artisans and 250 young people in Rwanda & Ghana with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and consistent access to the global export market. That's Impact. Care Instructions Sisal requires minimal care due to it's strength. We recommend keeping bright colors away from direct sunlight and trimming any stray fibers that may appear over time.
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