The Market is a platform that showcases the work of African artisans, providing them with an opportunity to sell their handmade goods and support their communities. By shopping at The Market, customers are directly contributing to the preservation of cultural traditions and the conservation of wildlife in Africa. The artisans featured at The Market are from various countries, including Kenya and Rwanda and their work is not only a testament to their skill and craftsmanship but also a reflection of their community’s history and heritage.
The vendors at The Market, such as BeadWORKS and Handspun Hope are dedicated to creating sustainable economic development opportunities for women in their communities. These organizations provide women with the chance to develop their traditional skills into income-generating activities which in turn helps to support their families and conserve the local wildlife. For instance, BeadWORKS works with pastoralist women in northern Kenya to create handmade beads, while Handspun Hope supports women in northern Rwanda by providing them with dignified work and whole-person care.
Conservation Efforts
The Market’s vendors are also committed to wildlife conservation efforts. African Modern and Azizi Life are two organizations that work with artisans to create handmade goods that promote cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. Azizi Life for example, supports fair trade artisans in Rwanda and donates a portion of its profits to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund which works to protect endangered mountain gorillas. Similarly, Fahlo donates 10% of its profits to nonprofit partners working to protect wildlife worldwide, including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Impact of Sustainable Shopping
By choosing to shop at The Market, customers are supporting sustainable economic development and wildlife conservation efforts in Africa. The handmade goods sold at The Market are not only unique and of high quality but also contribute to the preservation of cultural traditions and the protection of wildlife. As customers, we have the power to make a positive impact on the lives of African artisans and their communities by choosing to shop sustainably and support organizations that prioritize environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
