Women of Rwanda

You know that adage that all boats float higher? Starting with a group of Rwandan artisans and basket weavers, Ugandan Merchandise is intent on raising the water level in all of East Africa.

These ladies—many of them—are gender-based victimized women who survived the genocide to enter into a new age in Rwanda: the AIDS epidemic. Our super talented basket weavers are HIV positive.

They’re also powerful, and resigned to nothing. Instead, they’re committed: to a future in which there is full awareness—and widespread prevention—in place for HIV/AIDS in Rwanda and the rest of East Africa.

Here’s where you can help.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of all baskets go to Support AIDS/HIV Victims Rwanda. These women have medical assistance from the government, but 100% of your purchase price buys their lodging, food, clothing, and other necessities for them and their families.

Empowering women to be economically independent.

If you’d prefer, don’t think of it as a cause.  Think of it as beautiful baskets. Salt cellars. Necklace holders. A vessel for paperclips, a cubby for cuff links.

They’re nested six at a time. ½” to 5” in diameter, with perky, peaked lids.

Flawlessly woven. Worthy of wonder. Unbelievably priced at $44 a set (compare this to $80 at Macy’s—and ours are 100% nonprofit).

Then know that your purchase is helping to support a woman fight a worthy, bloodless war.

Go shopping! »