Kickstarter

Indego Africa (www.indegoafrica.org) is not your typical nonprofit organization. We take a social enterprise approach to economic development, connecting talented artisans with export markets for their fair trade handicrafts and returning 100% of the profits for training programs in long-term skills. By helping the women safeguard and diversify their income-generating skills, encouraging entrepreneurship, and cultivating self-worth and confidence, Indego Africa tackles the issue of aid dependence and sets a new standard for the fair trade industry.

But we don't stop there. Our classes in computer skills, management, accounting and literacy are administered by remarkable Rwandan interns sponsored by Orphans of Rwanda International (ORI), an NGO that funds university scholarships for high-achieving orphans.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!

While the sale of the women's traditional baskets, yoga bags, wine coasters, and other unique products (available at http://shop.indegoafrica.org/) go a long way towards financing the training programs, our full partnership with ORI is not possible without your help. For example, expenses typically are $50 a month per intern (transportation to/from the cooperatives, lunch, pre-paid cell phone cards, photocopying, etc.). Thus, just $600 supports the expenses of four ORI interns for THREE MONTHS! Think about what a huge impact such a small amount of money can have on so many lives.

Indego Africa also takes an unusually transparent approach to its operations, so you will be able to track the progress of the sponsored interns and the women. The interns issue weekly and monthly reports, which we are happy to send to anyone who is interested (just email ben.stone@indegoafrica.org). Moreover, you can enjoy full reports, photos, and video on our innovative blog, SOCIAL ENTERPRISING (http://socialenterprising.indegoafrica.org/).

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Check out Indego Africa's 2008 Annual Report at http://tinyurl.com/qdoz65