Did Mulu weave YOUR scarf?

My name is Mulu and I am 48 years old.  I was born in Tulu Bolo (Becho), a rural area around 90 kilometers from Addis Ababa.  I got married when I was 18 and soon gave birth to two children.  I cared for my children and helped my husband with the farming.  My husband and I were not on good terms.  So after four years of marriage I left my family and came to the Kolfe area of Addis Ababa.

For the second time I got married, this time to a soldier.  Within a few years we had 4 children, two boys and two girls.   So now I have 6 children.  The ones who live in Tulu Bolo are farmers and they come to visit me in Addis.  They four younger children are students.  My husband has died and I am alone to support the four children.

When I came to Addis I started carrying fuel wood.  It was my daily duty to go into the forest to collect wood, carry it on my back and sell it at the market located in the village for less than $.50 USD.  Carrying the fuel wood was very hard and the loads were very heavy.  The work had a terrible effect on my health and often I had to spend all the money I earned on medication.

Twenty three years ago while I was collecting wood a woman came and registered me.  She said I could be a member of the Former Women Fuel Wood Carriers Association.  That is how I learned to weave and am able to work with my friends.  For many years there has only been a small market for my scarves.  We sell in our shop in Entoto and once a month at the bazaar.  We made more than carrying wood but still not enough.

Now we are working with Connected in Hope Foundation and we are selling many more scarves.  They are finding new markets for our scarves and things are much better.  I am earning more money now, so I am better able to provide for my family.  With God’s help I will continue with the weaving.  I know Connected in Hope will help our markets continue to grow and I will earn even more.

New Spring Colors

www.store.connectedinhope.com

Kelemwa works on our Spring Line

Kelemwa’s bright smile warms the room as she stretches out her arms to embrace me.  “Selam” she says holding me close and kissing my cheek.  “Welcome, welcome.”  One of the weavers at the Kolfe site, Kelemwa’s skilled hands create beautiful scarves.

On this day Kelemwa is particularly excited.  Two of her daughters and one of their friends are bringing four-month-old grandbaby, Miniesinoi, to the site for a visit.  With a grandma’s love and pride Kelemwa embraces her family and walks with them the length of the room to visit with the other weavers.

Kelemwa’s husband is blind so the money she earns weaving provides the family’s only income.  Two of her six children still live at home.  Her youngest, a daughter, is completing her grade 11 studies.

Life changed for Kelemwa when she began weaving 20 years ago.  But it has changed even more since connected in Hope began selling her scarves last year.  “Now I always have enough money to buy 50 kilograms of teff to feed my family.  Things are better.  We are selling more.”

There are still many challenges facing Kelemwa and her family.  She has high blood pressure and her eyes are becoming weaker.  That makes weaving more difficult.  “Going to the clinic is very expensive,” she explains.  Instead, she goes to the church for holy water, using the money she saves to meet her family’s needs.

More sales and more consistent income are Kelemwa’s hopes for the future.  “I want my daughter to finish school, to get a good education and to get a good job.”  As Connected in Hope introduces Kelemwa’s beautiful scarves to global markets her dream will become a reality.

Kelemwa and her family

Spring is in the air and our weavers have been working like busy little bees on our new Spring line.  We can’t wait to share these amazing new scarves with you!

Our Spring line will feature beautiful, light weight scarves in a variety of colors and designs.   These scarves are narrower than our standard scarves, making them the perfect light weight accessory for your Spring/Summer wardrobe.  We’ve kept them the same length as our standard scarves so you can still wear them in all your favorite fun styles. We’ll also be debuting some gorgeous new infinity scarves in the Spring collection, so be on the look-out for those too!

Who says scarves are just for winter?

We’ll be launching the new Spring line along with our newly redesigned online store at the end of the month!  We’re planning some fun giveaways to celebrate the launch so be sure to check the blog and facebook for updates.

photo by: Anneli West Photography

Tirunesh works on some designs for our friends at Raven+Lily

My name is Tirunesh and I was born in Bahir Dar, a city about 600 kilometers northwest of Addis Ababa.  When I was 27 my husband and I moved to Addis Ababa hoping to find a better way of life. We were very poor so I began carrying fuel wood to help support my four children.  I did this every day for 17 years.

Each day I would get up early to collect wood in the Kolfe forest.  I would tie the branches into heavy bundles I could carry on my back to the markets in Addis.  It was hard work for little money.  There were many challenges.  I took my daughter to the forest with me and she collected wood too.  It was the only way we could earn enough money.

One day,  twenty three years ago, a lady came to the forest where I was collecting wood.  She registered my name and said I would be a member of the Former Women Fuel Wood Carriers Association.  Through the Association I learned to weave and began working with 13 other former wood carriers.

For years I have been weaving scarves.   I am grateful to be a part of the Association because I feel safe and I have friends.  Because of our partnership with Connected in Hope, we are selling many more scarves and my income is growing.

Today I live with two of my children.  I am happy and praise God for his provision.  I work hard and try always to do my best.  My dream is to continue weaving scarves and to have a sustainable income.

Did Abebech weave your scarf?

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