Happy Shopping: Indego Africa

Supportive Spending

There are two ways I love to shop.  One: give me a good sale, an outlet store, an “extra half off clearance” bin – I am a girl who looooves a bargain.  Or two: give me a product from an artistan, a small business, or a company that has a charitable component.  I really believe in supporting people who put their heart into what they do, be they local or international.  And yes, I do also shop at Amazon and Target and Costco, I’m not saying I’m a saint who never gives a dime to the big box stores.  I mean sometimes you just need some vegan snacks delivered to your door, or a giant package of 24 rolls of toilet paper stuffed in your trunk (because we’ve learned the hard way that’s one thing we can’t take for granted).  I wish a LOT more money ended up in the pockets of the people who work for these big corporations and not in the already-overflowing pockets of the people at the top, but that’s for another post.  Getting back to the point of this post, if you’re looking to do a little feel-good web-shopping, check out this site.  The store is actually a non-profit organization that supports the “creation, growth, and sustainability of women-owned businesses in Africa.”  Women supporting women – people supporting people.  I LOVE that.  THAT is what we need more of in this world.  Oh, and I also LOVE their products!

How I Learned About Indego Africa

How did I come across this site, you ask?  It all started when I was watching a show called World’s Most Wanted on Netflix, actually.  The second episode was about one of the pieces of human trash that was responsible for the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.  I was alive when this happened, but was too young to fully understand the magnitude or the reality of what “genocide” really meant.  Having been reminded about this absolutely unthinkable horror, I was immediately inspired to help the survivors.  In my search for more information and ways to support, I was directed to a list of charity organizations on the United Nations website.  That led me to become acquainted with two non-profit foundations that I found especially inspiring and that actually work together!  They are Foundation Rwanda and SURF.  On the SURF website I noticed it said that US citizens could help support their cause by purchasing products from a shop called Indego Africa.  I went to the their website and was so incredibly impressed!  On top of paying fair wages to the artisans in Africa who make these beautiful items, the foundation has also been “investing 100% of our profits into education programs for the women who handcraft our products and youth in their communities. Since 2007, we’ve provided over 1,100 artisans and 250 young people in Rwanda & Ghana with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and consistent access to the global export market.”  Pretty awesome, right?!

The vase I purchased from Indego Africa with some flowers I hand-picked from our yard.  (Mouse candle pictured in the first image is not from the website, but is shown more as a point of size comparison.)

Just So You Know

I have no direct association with this website or organization, this post is not sponsored in any way, and I receive absolutely NO commission or bonus by referring it to you.  I’m just passing this along because I am inspired and touched by the work they’re doing and want to spread the good word.

The photos below are all from the Indego Africa website and link to the items themselves.  As you can see from the photos above, I purchased a beautiful vase (which has unfortunately since sold out) and I’m overjoyed with it.  It came well-protected in bubble wrap and then wrapped in a lovely bright pink tissue paper in the box.  Indego Africa will be one of my go-to shops around the holidays for gifts, as well as the occasional treat for myself!

Happy shopping!

 Items below range in price from $28-$325, and the site has a section for items under $40 if you’re on a budget.