Hadithi Crafts: Turning Stories of Hope into Lasting Change
Hadithi Crafts Support CBO is a community-based artisan enterprise that weaves together wildlife conservation, sustainability, and traditional craft while creating jobs in rural Kenya. Launched in 2014 with 500 women, Hadithi now works with around 1900 artisans, who support over 10,000 family members, living in the communities surrounding Tsavo, a critical ecosystem for elephants and other wildlife. By offering sustainable livelihoods, Hadithi helps protect wildlife and preserve the delicate balance of nature in the Tsavo national parks in southeastern Kenya.
A Special Alchemy of Color and Texture from Design Ateliers
As part of a series of “fireside chats” sponsored by R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund, Hema Shroff Patel and Maddalena Forcella discussed their approach to design, heritage crafts, and their design studios. Both designers work collaboratively with highly skilled spinners, dyers, and weavers, and share a passion for the art and craft of textiles, sustainability, and improving the quality of life in their communities. Shroff Patel, founder of Amba, joined the conversation from Mumbai, India, while Forcella, founder of Madda Studio, spoke from Oaxaca, in the highlands of southern Mexico.
Why We Invested: Fuchsia Shoes
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund has invested in Fuchsia Shoes, a sustainable fashion brand headquartered in Seattle. Fuchsia Shoes manufactures handcrafted shoes based on the traditional Pakistani khussas enhanced for comfort and durability for the American consumer.