Business — Ethnic Supplies

Textile expert required in Tanzania

April 14, 2012 By idahorner Leave a Comment

The OxfordHR is helping the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, an independent private foundation, to find an Executive Director, Textile Development Unit based in Dar Es Salam Tanzania

The Position

This is a specialist role for a senior Textile expert to establish a Textile Development Unit within the Tanzanian Ministry of Industry as a professional task force to stimulate the textile industry. It requires substantial work experience and knowledge of both textile and garment technologies and markets. The successful candidate will have a strong track record in international project management, preferably with some experience in Africa, and excellent interpersonal, analytical and communication skills.

Do you know anyone who might fit the bill and would like to spend a year or two in Tanzania? Gatsby have an excellent remuneration package.

There is also an opening for a Cotton Programme Manager, which does not require a textile background. The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 22nd April 2012.

If you are interested in either those positions Full details can be found on http://www.oxfordhr.co.uk/index.php?pg=40

or Contact

Karen Twining

Senior Consultant

Oxford HR Consultants Ltd

The Old Music Hall, 106-108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JE

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 600359

Filed Under: Business Opportunity, Latest Tagged With: Africa, Tanzania, Textile

Fashion fights poverty part 2

September 20, 2011 By idahorner Leave a Comment

Eugenie

In the part 1 of Fashion fights poverty I told you about a young woman I met on my way out and true to her word she sent her question to me by email and here is what she had to say

Dear Ida,

Firstly, it was a pleasure to hear you speak last week at the Africa Fashion Guide event, particularly on poverty alleviation and the women you work with through ethnic supplies. It was also great to meet you briefly at the end of the evening. You may remember, I came and asked you a long-winded question, I said I would email you with it so you could respond if you got a moment! So here it is again..

I understand how important it is for women in Africa to make clothes, be tailors etc, having worked with different NGOs and women’s groups, I have seen how empowering being a skilled tailor is in Togo – But if the fashion industry insentivises this, providing greater demand and income for women, is it not also at risk of reducing the emphasis on women’s education which really is what can change women’s positions in society, enabling them to reach positions of greater influence and increase their opportunities and choices?

I have thought on this some more since I posed the question to you, and wonder if there are ways of incorporating education in to ethical fashion projects which give women business at the same time. Maybe you know of some. Personally, I am still a believer in the state providing good education, but perhaps it is too late for that in lots of African countries.

Yes, that is a long question and I will do my best to unpack it here and hopefully you the readers can join in.

My initial thoughts are that this young lady has concerns that women maybe excluded from education and confined to being tailors and that whilst that provides an income women ought to access education so that they can take up their full roles in society.

I agree that that women should have access to education and I believe that the single most reason why African women are poor is the lack of education and that is why I am involved in an education initiative in SW Uganda. But I am also a realist- some women will not access education for whatever reason.

When that happens initiatives that provide skills that enable women to become financially independent are the next best thing and such initiative see women as tailors or designers of fashion accessories and handicrafts.

In my mind the worst situation for an African Woman is to find themselves without an independent source of income nor an education as this equates to social, political and financial exclusion which are key elements of an individual being able to participate fully or have any influence in society for that matter and is what I mean when I use the word empowerment.

I have met many such women and in fact I work with some of them and I can tell you the reality of their lives can be challenging

So over to you folk- what are thoughts?

Filed Under: Business support for women, Latest Tagged With: Africa, London Fashion Week, MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS, Togo, Uganda

Introducing Salha Kaitesi- The Beauty Of Rwanda

August 17, 2011 By idahorner 1 Comment

Salha Kaitesi

Salha Kaitesi is the founder of Beauty of Rwanda an online enterprise working with basket weavers in her native Rwanda. Like the team here at Ethnic Supplies, Salha believes in empowering African women through business.

Our paths crossed a few months ago on Twitter and she agreed to be profiled for readers of this blog.

1. Please introduce yourself to our readers. Who is Salha Kaitesi

I am a British Rwandan trying to make a difference in the lives of the women in Rwanda. Devoted mother. Brutally honest. I would like to think am a good friend to have. (I hate answering this question)

2. What is Beauty of Rwanda all about

Beauty of Rwanda is about empowering women in Rwanda through the selling of their handmade crafts. These women are the bread winners of their individual families and weaving is the only means of earning a livelihood for them and their children. These women are hard working and an inspiration to us all.

3. When did you get started and why

The idea came into place in 2009 but the Beauty of Rwanda website where we sell the crafts from was launched in 2010. I wanted to help the women in Rwanda. There is so much that can be done for Rwanda, one has to just look deeper in order to find their calling. This is mine. I hope to make a difference in the lives of these women.

4. Where are you now and where are you headed to

We are still in the early stages of the business having launched just 9 months ago. There is still a lot to be done before we can sit back and watch the company standing on its own two feet. I am enjoying the journey though at times its difficult especially when things don’t go according to plan.

5. I understand that you work with women in Rwanda- please tell us about that

The crafts we sell from our website/online shop are hand woven by women in Rwanda. These women survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide and like i mentioned earlier, weaving is the only source of income. Beauty of Rwanda finds a market for their beautiful crafts. Some of the women are HIV positive having been raped during the mentioned genocide. They need all the support we can give them. All they want is their dignity back.

6. What would you say are your greatest achievements so far

Having the courage to go through with the plan of setting up Beauty of Rwanda.

7. What are your challenges and how do you address these

One of the biggest challenges is the logistics. It does take time and is expensive.

8. Does technology play a role in your business and if so how?

Are you kidding me?… We are all about technology. We wouldnt be able to do our job without it. We are on facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, Youtube and almost launching on Google+. Technology is it!

9. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps

If you feel like the chips are all in place, even though there will always be doubts, just go for it – Better to try and fail than to never try at all.

Filed Under: Business support for women, Poverty in Africa Tagged With: Beauty of Rwanda, LinkedIn, MySpace, Rwanda, Twitter, Urwego Opportunity Bank, Youtube