Join us tonight for the Vital Voices Artisan Bazaar! This evening we are opening up our offices to host an annual bazaar, which features jewelry and crafts fashioned by women artisans from around the world. A fabulous silent auction will also be held, featuring a unique selection of items.

If you are in Washington, DC, be sure to come by and celebrate with us as we showcase beautiful products from the many talented women artisans we work with internationally. Our office is located at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 850. Parking will be available in the building garage or on side streets nearby. Join us from 5:30 to 9 pm this evening.

Training participants Wendy Hammond (South Africa), Nomfusi Nkani (South Africa), Yatuha Etheldreda (Uganda), Apollonia Kibukayire (Rwanda), and Lilian Juma (Kenya).

With the support of the ExxonMobil Foundation, The Vital Voices Women Artisans Product & Business Development Program facilitated a training workshop in Nairobi, Kenya from September 28 – October 2, 2009. The program trained 20 women artisan leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. Each of these 20 women leads a community-based group comprised of an average of 10 women artisans.

Each participant demonstrated leadership and management skills and the potential to improve and expand their business. The program was enriched by each of the workshop sessions which were led by talented trainers, guest speakers and members of Vital Voices’ African Business Women’s Networks.

Led by Zoe Dean-Smith, Vital Voices Senior Director of Artisan Programs and assisted by Kianoosh Tahbaz-Salehi, workshop content included: product design and development, basic book-keeping, costing and pricing, marketing and other export-readiness information through both informational sessions and hands-on activities. The expert trainers and speakers included: Therese Smith (Bridge for Africa – USA-based Distributor), Michelle Olson (USA-based Jewelry Designer), Ricca Turgel (Designer and Founder of Abafazi, South Africa), Joan Karanja (Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa, Kenya), Rebecca Mpaayei-Saruni (Kenya Export Promotion Council), and Caroline Mwazi (Huru Consult, Kenya). The participants also learnt about the value of mentoring through inspirational stories and experiences of Vital Voices / State Dept Fortune mentees Eva Muraya and Phyllis Mwangi and were able to meet and network with other Vital Voices alumnae at a reception held at the residence of Ambassador of the United States of America, Michael E. Ranneberger in Nairobi. Vital Voices co-founder and Artisan Business Development Program founder, Mary Yerrick, also contributed to the workshop.

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Recently back from the Vital Voices - ExxonMobil African Women Artisans Product and Business Development training program held in Nairobi, Kenya, designer Michelle Malek Olson writes on her experience as a first-time trainer in an article featured in Washington Life magazine. With years of experience as a professional jewelry designer for Sax Fifth Avenue, Olson traveled to Kenya to assist emerging artisans with creating export-ready products that will appeal to a Western audience. Olson is a supporter of Vital Voices and the daughter of Vital Voices Board Member Marlene Malek.

Paying it Forward with Vital Voices in Kenya - Michelle Malek Olson - Washington Life Magazine

Vital Voices Artisans’ work was featured on the runway during New York Fashion Week with the presentation of Diane von Furstenberg’s Spring 2010 Collection. A vibrant beaded necklace designed by Kenyan artisan Rebecca Lolosoli and the women of Umoja Uaso Women’s Village was prominently displayed in the New York show. Renowned designer and Vital Voices Board Member Diane von Furstenberg has been a supporter and advocate of the women artisans in the Vital Voices network, recently hosting Rebecca Lolosoli during a visit to New York from Kenya. Zoe Dean-Smith, senior director for the Global Women Artisan Export Development Program, is already responding to queries for the products following the premiere of the Spring 2010 Collection.

Also featured in Diane von Furstenberg’s Spring Collection were innovative bracelets fashioned from telephone wire and beaded copper wire, designed by Zulu artisans from Sizwe Umoya and the Senzokuhle Wire Company. Through their work, over 500 Zulu weavers comprising the Senzokuhle Wire company are able to earn a living wage, providing for their community and families while preserving artistic traditions. Similarly, the women of rural South Africa who form Sizwe Umoya are creating a better future for themselves and their children by producing the unique and intricate pieces of jewelry that have now found their way to the runway of New York Fashion Week.

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Power Woman — With a Punch – NY Times

Diane von Furstenberg - New York Post

From left to right: Zoe Dean-Smith, Joyce Kiplagat, Kathleen Vaughan, Rebecca Lolosoli and Karin Shipman

Rebecca Lolosoli is the Director of the Umoja Uaso Women’s Artisan Village in Kenya, a self-sufficient community that was formerly subject to gender inequity that left many Samburu women, like her, disenfranchised. Now through intricate beadwork and entrepreneurial spirit, women in Lolosoli’s village are funding a village complete with schools for girls and community outreach programs.

Recognizing the need to develop new markets and build awareness around the issues that her community faces back in Kenya, Lolsoli attended the Sante Fe International Folk Art Market July 6th through the 13th, and then toured Washington, D.C. from July 13th to the 19th.

Brought to the Folk Art Market by Vital Voices and Bridge for Africa, a fair trade artisan organization, Lolosoli sold approximately $11,000 in artisan products. The Samburu village also received a donation to purchase a vehicle in order for the community to transport their products to Nairobi for sale.

Vital Voices accompanied Lolosoli on some notable stops in Washington and New York. On July 15 she traveled to New York to meet fashion designer Diane Von Furstenburg who placed an order for sample of her beadwork. That night she was received by the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. who hosted an artisan craft fair in her honor. On July 16, she met with the staff of Senator Barbara Boxer regarding violence in the Samburu area. On July 17, she met with the National Endowment for Democracy to discuss human rights for Umoja women. On July 18, she met with Wendy Ellsworth, founder of Beads for Education, which supports educational advancement for Africa girls.

As Lolosoli returns to Kenya, she will no doubt face great challenges as she continues to educate women on their rights and expand their community programs. However, Vital Voices will continue to support Lolosoli and the Samburu women in helping them to realize their dreams.