The Path to Peace

One of the things I love about being a blogger is finding companies that are doing awesome work both here and overseas. I found Heart of Haiti earlier this year and that led me to finding Rwanda Path to Peace. It is a healing journey and a source of sustainable living that utilizes the incredible skill of weaving that is passed down by generations of Rwandan women.

To me, this is a testament to the strength of these women who have seen the most atrocious acts committed against their family, neighbors and friends as they experienced genocide and ethnic cleansing. Can you imagine? Add to that being in a country that considers you second-rate citizens because you are a female and these women have experienced heartbreak, loss and hopelessness in ways that we probably could never imagine.

Although the genocide was over a decade ago, there is still a daily struggle to recovery. The sale of these beautiful baskets through Macy’s give these women a source of sustainable income as well as pride.

Rwandan women are able to generate income that help their children. It gives them access to education, health care and so much more. I love that these weavers can now sustain their families by paying for school, purchasing essential supplies and providing clothes and clean uniforms.  They can even afford kerosene and candles to provide light in the evening so children can complete their schoolwork.

I put myself in their shoes. First, thinking of the experience of having to experiences and see the genocide and then, not being able to provide for my daughter. And then I feel so grateful for Rwanda Path to Peace for providing these women with an opportunity to help their children. I feel as if they are helping me by helping them. Because we are all connected. People in general but, mamis specifically.

From one Mami to Macy’s: a great big thank you for helping my sisters across the ocean but so close to my heart. I am eternally grateful for the work that you continue to do both for the women in Rwanda and the women in Haiti.

I feel a personal responsibility to tell as many people about these programs as I can. I do this in hopes that you can find beauty in these beautiful baskets and are able to find it in your heart to help another mami out.

I have filled mine with ornaments during the holidays and hope to continue to fill it with the seasons as time passes. I hope to fill it with love in the same way that the woman that weaved it with her own hands fills her heart with pride and joy at making of it.

Please head on over to Path to Peace for more information and to check out the great work that these women are doing. One basket at a time.

Beyond the obvious benefits of scholastic supplies and health care, the children in weavers' communities are benefiting in a number of less tangible ways. They feel immense pride in their mother's ability to provide for them, praising them to friends and telling classmates that their mother's baskets sell in America. The children are also enjoying strengthened relationships with their fathers who look after them while their mothers weave. The strong, cooperative relationships being forged between women and men are providing excellent examples for the future.

These women are warriors and have found a way to restore hope and love among their communities and families with the sale of their baskets. The baskets are a symbol of strength and courage among the Rwandan women who weave them. For more info go to www.Macys.com/Rwanda.