East African Adventures

This blog post is a bit different than our usual artisan feature. After a month traveling through Uganda & Rwanda, we wanted to share a bit about our journey. We hope you enjoy hearing about this trip from our Founder, Rachel.

Fortunate (far left in blue hoodie) and I with the Muko women's group.

The last month has been a whirlwind. I was able to travel with one of my best friends, Taylor, which made the trip even more meaningful. We began in Rwanda where Taylor is working with young adult refugees. We met with friends, had a lot of deep conversations with youth, and brainstormed ideas for the future. I was able to meet a young woman named Jeannette, founder of Inzira Dreamz Network. She and her business partner design and create beautiful one-of-a-kind products from leather hand-beaded sandals to fabric purses. The quality and design is stunning. Margaret & Emma is happy to have a new partnership with Jeannette. We're hoping to add some of her products to our online store very soon.

Jeannette and her business partner Anaclet are both talented artisans.

Taylor and I took a couple days to recharge before we went to Uganda. We spend those two days to travel to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. We saw elephants, water buffaloes, baboons, velvet monkeys, antelope, hippos, and giraffes. It was a wonderful way to relax before we shifted focus.

One of the best moments, stumbling upon a herd of giraffes. This herd was all males - when they are too old, or are chased from their original herd, they create their own groups. My third safari, but first time seeing giraffes.

When we got to Uganda, we stayed with my (honorary) Uncle Kiiza in Kihihi, Uganda. Kihihi is near the boarder of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and is also close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our second day in Kihihi, we had plans to visit a couple schools, one of which I taught at in 2009. Uncle Kiiza had a day of meetings, so I had to drive. The roads are not great, but at least the truck was an automatic. I had to remember to keep left, as they drive like the British. On our third day in Kihihi, Uncle Kiiza took us to Queen Elizabeth National Park to see more animals. We were hoping to see the climbing lions, but we didn't see them. We saw just about everything else, and to add to the adventure, we got the truck stuck in a swamp - at least I wasn't the one driving. The park rangers came to the rescue. It started with 6 men trying to push us out of the mud, then another group brought a truck to pull us out, but the rope snapped. Finally, over an hour later, 12 men pushed us out of the mud. It was an interesting experience, and the third time on the trip that we'd gotten stick in the mud. The rainy season in Uganda is horrible on the roads.

Across the river is Congo. We found out that the Park Rangers in Congo had been chased away by rebel militias.

After a few days in Kihihi, we went to Bushure village. This was our base for visiting the groups we work with at Margaret & Emma. One of the main goals of this trip to conduct interviews and take photos of our artisans. We only visited two groups because we wanted to spend quality time with those women. We interviewed every group member who attended, and we purchased products from every group member. When Margaret & Emma makes an order, it's only the highest quality products that get chosen, so when I visit groups it's important to me that even some of the lower quality items get chosen in order to support the women who are still perfecting their skills.

I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to do what I love for work. Spending time in the rural communities and learning more about the women in our groups is humbling. They continue to amaze me with their strength, determination, and love. Hearing their stories makes me want to do better.

The Nfasha group was hit hard by floods over the past year and they lost most of their crops. We were able to purchase from every group member, and contributed to their group savings.

A huge shout out to Fortunate (the newest M&E team member), Katto (our driver), and Christin (GEP representative), who conducted interviews. It would not have worked without you!

Fortunate (right) interviewing Basasirana from the Muko group. Fortunate is the new lead of Margaret & Emma in Uganda. We are so happy to have her as part of the M&E team.

After our time in the village, we spent a couple days visiting my friends from previous trips. We were also able to spend some time with my Mukaka (grandmother), and visit other friends from the past nine years.

Left to right: Taylor, Uncle Kiiza, Mukaka, me

Maria Goretti Primary: My Ugandan home and where I taught in 2009.

Taylor and I returned to Rwanda for a few days to rest before the journey home. Our month long trip seemed like only a few days. We had ups and downs, but a lot more ups. Looking forward to the next adventure.

The dream team! Taylor, Fortunate, Katto and I arriving in Rwanda. It wasn't easy to say goodbye, but we know we'll be back soon!