Over a year ago we were introduced to Carmel Judd who founded non profit organization  Rising International whose mission is to end world poverty in our lifetime.

Rising International works with artisan women in developing nations to source their crafts and re-sell them through home parties organized by and benefiting women in the US. 

Carmel told us about women making Mud Cloth in remote villages in Mali that were only accessible by horse. 

We were inspired to learn more about these communities and find fabric producers who could share their stories and their regional designs.

After a thorough search, the team at Rising introduced us to Bombolulu Workshops in Mombasa, Kenya who worked with us to create these beautiful fabrics (above).

Bombolulu is comprised of workshops and a cultural center with housing for disabled artists.

Bombolulu works with more than 100 men and women artisans with different abilities to help them overcome their physical limitations and empower them economically and socially to become fully integrated members of the their communities.

Bombolulu also provides social benefits to the workers, such as a clinic, nursery school, social hall, sports, HIV prevention, etc. Bombolulu started in 1969 and the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya took over in 1987.

They create a range of products and empower Kenyans with disabilities to learn marketable skills in the jewelry, textile, wood carving and leather trades.  

The workshops have a production capacity of nearly 250,000 separate items per year. Many of the products are sold through their website and a local retail boutique.

Many years of successful exporting have established Bombolulu Workshops as a reliable supplier and the project is a member of the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization). 

We’re proud to present our new line, made with beautiful Bombolulu fabrics and we are happy to donate 20% of proceeds to Rising International.  Support the artisans and end poverty in our lifetime, shop now!