Gifts That Empower
Give the gift of inspiration this Holiday season with gifts that empower. At Akilah we have the opportunity to interact with social enterprises and nonprofit organizations giving back to the world and their communities. This Holiday season we are sharing some of our favorite gifts that keep on giving from brands and nonprofits that empower individuals and communities.
Sseko Designs
These blue suede shoes from Sseko Designs are perfect for the world traveler in your life. Sseko Designs is the unique brand providing employment for Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Uganda artisans, in addition to scholarships for academic opportunities. Their mission is “empowering, employing, and educating girls.” Read more about their impact here.
Charity Water
What do you give the friend that has everything? Water. Give the gift of water this holiday season brought to you by Charity Water. Why Water? Water is one of the most basic needs in the world but access to clean water is a global problem with massive health and development repercussions. Learn more about Charity Water here.
Raven & Lily
This ring from Raven+Lily is the ideal statement piece for the woman in your life that loves fashion with a purpose. Raven + Lily is all about confronting poverty and does so by employing 1,500 women around the world to create hand-crafted, fair trade products. Raven + Lily supports women in Ethiopia, Cambodia, USA, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Haiti and Guatemala. Read more about their mission here.
Warby Parker
Check out Warby Parker for innovative eyewear. Buy a pair, give a pair. For every pair of glasses purchased through Warby Parker, a pair of a glasses will be donated to a nonprofit partners. Read more about their story here.
Fashionable
This bucket bag from Fashionable calls the name of all city gals, wanderers, and moms on-the-go. Fashionable was founded in Ethiopia and empowers women globally by creating jobs and helping marginalized women overcome challenges. Read more about how shopping Fashion-ABLE makes women around the world ABLE here.
Akola Project
Necklace with Ethiopian Style Cross
This necklace with an Ethiopian style cross from Akola Project is elegance with a pop of color and is the gift that keeps on giving. Akola Project has a sustainable model employing over 400 women in Uganda, which in turn impacts over 3,000 children. Akola continues to give back to the community with infrastructure projects and vocational training. Read more about the Akola Project model here.
I am Malala
Malala Yousafzai made headlines in 2012 when she was targeted by the Taliban for fighting for her right to an education. One Nobel Peace Prize and countless lives impacted later, Malala continues to advocate for girls all around the world to have access to a safe classroom. Malala’s biography is sure to be the ultimate gift of inspiration! Read more about Malala and her work through the Malala Fund.
World Vision
Are you interested in helping your daughter or niece understand the importance of giving back? Give a goat this Christmas to a family in need and honor the girls in your life. Take a moment to explain to the young girls in your world the importance of caring for the world around them. You never know how that could impact her worldview and give her vision for the future. Read more about World Vision and their other projects here.
Indego Africa
Looking for home décor for a bohemian gal or for modern decorators? This unique Rwandan style basket from Indego Africa is the perfect gift. Indego Africa is nonprofit social enterprise as well as lifestyle brand based in Rwanda. Indego Africa uses economic empowerment and education to give back to the women of Rwanda. Check out their collection of home goods here.
Akilah Institute for Women
We couldn’t leave our students off of the Holiday Giving suggestions guide! Because more than anything, we believe in the gift of education. By donating to the Akilah Institute, you can provide our students with scholarships for up to three years. And when you educate a women, you educate a nation!
Link to the Akilah Blog: http://www.akilahinstitute.org/holiday-giving-guide/