Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Our First Interest Free Credit to Artisan Loan Paid In Full!

Today was a day for celebrating! Nayiga Bena, the crafty woman responsible for our beautiful Kasaayi Baskets, was the first artisan to pay off her interest free loan and she did it today!

Nayiga requested and received a loan of around USD$60.00 in July to pay for her children's school fees and tuition so that her children could complete the school term uninterrupted.



We are so proud of Nayiga and are ready to give her another loan for the same amount next week to ensure another uninterrupted school term for her children!

Yudaya Gets New Specs!



Yudaya Nakibuka, Awava's AMAZING artisan who weaves our Ekibbo Basket and Kufumba Utensil Basket was able to have an eye exam and get new glasses thanks to her interest free loan from Awava! They have definitely made her more serious than normal, but once she gets used to them I'm sure she'll be back to her normal "stubborn" self in no time!

Awava to hit Australian Market in Partnership with Fantastic Australian NGO!



The United Future Fundation (UFF) is an Australian non-governmental organization operating in Uganda. UFF is "breaking the cycle" of poverty through education, building a combined primary school and vocational training center in rural Uganda based on a strong belief that education is the means to creating lasting change.

UFF is focussed on making education and skills trainings accessible to Ugandan yough in poverty-stricken, rural and remote areas.

UFF has partnered with Awava to develop tailoring and crafts courses for their Technical and Vocational Education Training Program (TVET). This partnership aims to provide UFF with a foundation of skills and experience that will not only assist in developing crafts and tailoring skills for the UFF TVET Program, but will also increase the scope in which UFF and Awava can work together to create sustainable development for women across Uganda.

As of October 2010, UFF and Awava have adopted an open-ended
partnership agreement that will allow UFF to work with the Awava team to
open the Australian market for Awava UFF craft products. While UFF develop
their TVET Tailoring Programs, the partnership agreement will allow UFF to
raise funds through the selling of Awava products in Australia, while
simultaneously contributing to the employment and continued sustainability of
Awava artisans.

Both UFF and Awava share a mutual commitment to sustainable poverty
reduction through skills education, access to resources, and linkages to open
markets. As partners, UFF and Awava are committed to empowering women,
families and communities by utilising these opportunities, in turn increasing
sustainability and quality of life.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Awava Photo Shoot!

Here's a sneak peak at some of the photos from our photo shoot on Saturday!








Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Salute the Sun in Style!

By seriously popular demand, Awava is finally bringing you our omusana yoga mat bag!

Omusana is 29" long, 7.5" in diameter with a 32" full length strap.

Omusana will be available on our website in 2-3 weeks!





Spice up your Living Room with Kafaliso!

Awava’s new kafaliso throw pillow cover will transform your sofa and living room (or bed) in seconds! Kafaliso measures 17.25” x 17.25” and has a zip closure making it easy to fling off and throw in the wash.

Kafaliso will be available on our website in 2-3 weeks. Check back often!








The Missing Ingredient to Your Lunches!

Awava's new kyamisana lunch bags, kkutiya reusable sandwich bags and muchomo reusable sandwich bags are fantastic because not only do they help empower the women and families Awava works with in northern Uganda, but they also empower US families to help the Earth and help themselves by carrying nutritious, home-prepared meals to school and to work!


These beauties will be available on our website soon and can be purchased as a set or individually!

Our new kyamisana lunch bags are made of cotton wax print fabric (exterior) with plastic lining and a layer of foam to help regulate temperature, and a Velcro closure, with a pocket inside to slide a reusable ice pouch. The napkin is made of cotton wax print and cotton liner fabric.
Dimensions: 9.5" tall, 7" wide and 4" deep at the bottom (napkin is 5"x5").






The new kkutiya reusable sandwich bags and muchomo reusable snack bags are made with a wax print cotton exterior, water-resistant nylon interior with a Velcro closure.
Kkutiya dimensions: 8.5" wide, 7.5" tall.
Muchomo dimensions: 6" wide, 7" tall.











Products can be turned inside-out and wiped clean or washed in cold water and air dried.