Home ยป Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace project

Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace project

 “When you look at the gorgeous hand-woven baskets sold on line and in
Macy’s stores as part of theRwanda Path to Peace program, it’s easy to
see them solely as objects of beauty. It’s hard to imagine the journey
the baskets and the women who make them have been on. In fact, each
basket represents a journey towards reconciliation. 

“This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.“

In
1994, we in America were totally unaware that a mass slaughter was
taking place in Rwanda, a tiny country in the heart of Africa. In just
three months, nearly a million people, 20% of the nation’s population,
was massacred when tribal hatred between the Hutus and Tutsis turned
into ethnic slaughter. Neighbor killed neighbor in one of the worst
genocides in human history”. 

“After the violence ended,
many Rwandan women found themselves thrust into the unfamiliar role of
being sole breadwinners for their families, since their husbands,
fathers and sons had been killed. Others saw their husbands jailed for
committing unspeakable atrocities. Despite this savage
history, Rwanda today is a country of both hope and faith. Even though
their physical and psychological wounds were fresh after the genocide,
many women embraced an opportunity to heal. Weaving baskets became a way
forward and a way towards peace. Women from both sides of the ethnic
divide came together, wove baskets, and created an industry, which today
supports thousands of Rwandan women and their families. One American
woman who vowed to make a difference helped the Rwandan women – social
entrepreneur, artist and activist, Willa Shalit. In 2005 Shalit showed
the baskets to executives at Macy’s who committed to sell them and to go
into business with the weavers in Rwanda. Macy’s offered them a hand
up, not a handout”.

Strong women want to work! They don’t want charity. Helping others
may mean giving them the means to support themselves instead of giving
them “things”.

Thirty
thousand stitches in each basket shows commitment, care and pride. Even
if you do not remember the mass killing you can appreciate the amazing
quality that is in each piece. This is the season to give a gift that
already gives lives to other just in it’s making. I love backing
organizations that keep giving back!

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20 Comments

  1. Mom Knows Best
    October 28, 2015 / 4:28 pm

    This basket it so cute. I love the that it supports a great cause.

  2. Unknown
    October 28, 2015 / 5:43 pm

    Basket for Peace, care and hope this is a great cause.

  3. Heather Jones
    October 28, 2015 / 8:25 pm

    Wow, I had no idea the history behind it. Its so sad we can't all live in peace. I'm glad that basket weaving here is a symbol of peace, something we should all learn to obtain.

  4. Masshole Mommy
    October 29, 2015 / 12:53 am

    I think this is a wonderful project. I hope they raise a lot.

  5. msvee
    October 29, 2015 / 2:29 am

    what a great project

  6. Unknown
    October 29, 2015 / 4:30 am

    Those bowls are beautiful, and thats great that Macys is behind such a worthy cause!

  7. Liz Mays
    October 29, 2015 / 4:57 am

    I really appreciate how Macy's continues to work with this program!

  8. Chanelle
    October 29, 2015 / 7:07 am

    This seems like such a great project. Way to go Macy's

  9. Deal Match Maker
    October 29, 2015 / 7:43 am

    What a great project and I love those hand-woven baskets! So adorable and unique

  10. Elizabeth O.
    October 29, 2015 / 8:53 am

    How nice! Those baskets are definitely of high quality. I love how detailed the baskets are and how much work is put into each one. It's a nice project to be part of.

  11. Rachel Mouton
    October 29, 2015 / 9:38 am

    Those baskets are gorgeous! What an awesome cause ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Polen
    October 29, 2015 / 12:13 pm

    I love the design! ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Unknown
    October 29, 2015 / 12:26 pm

    Wow! what an awesome project! I love the design very cute and unique.

  14. Unknown
    October 29, 2015 / 2:21 pm

    This is also a story of resilience and I am so grateful to you for sharing it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Unknown
    October 29, 2015 / 3:22 pm

    When I was in Africa these types of baskets were around in the majority of the craft markets.

  16. Unknown
    October 29, 2015 / 3:37 pm

    Such a great project and support from Macy's. There needs to be more work like this.

  17. Corinne Rodrigues
    October 29, 2015 / 5:19 pm

    Such beautiful baskets. And I love projects like this that work at self reliance. Thank you for sharing.

  18. Mykidsguide
    October 29, 2015 / 5:56 pm

    These baskets are beautiful. I hope they generate a lot of sales from this campaign.

  19. Unknown
    October 30, 2015 / 11:11 am

    I hope these beautiful baskets help raise awareness and raise a lot of money for these inspirational women.

  20. Dr. K. Lee Banks
    November 1, 2015 / 2:38 am

    I do remember hearing about this horrific situation when it happened. I had college friends who were from other parts of Africa, and they were devastated about something like that happening so close to their own homelands.

    The baskets are beautiful. I always appreciate handcrafted items, and these certainly have even greater significance.