Artisan Collective

The Artisan Collective is a peer-driven social enterprise that empowers refugee women with the education and opportunities they need to become skilled, confident, and economically independent entrepreneurs. The collaborative arts-based curriculum allows members to express themselves creatively through the design and production of hand-dyed scarves and textiles, acquire transferable leadership and business management skills, and earn an income to support themselves and their families.

Access to dignified and viable livelihoods is critical to preventing refugee girls from falling back into cycles of abuse and exploitation. RefuSHE's trauma-informed approach encourages artisans to continue their healing while developing the skills they need to achieve economic and social independence.

100%

OF PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF ARTISAN COLLECTIVE PRODUCTS SUPPORT REFUSHE’S MISSION TO PROTECT, EDUCATE, AND EMPOWER ORPHANED, UNACCOMPANIED, AND SEPARATED REFUGEE GIRLS IN NAIROBI, KENYA

 
 

Creative Expression

Every scarf tells a story. For young refugee women, the Artisan Collective is a significant step in the journey toward self-confidence, independence, and a new life after war and conflict. Members learn to express themselves and solve problems creatively through the centuries-old African textile tradition of resist-dyeing, shared learning, and design experimentation. They are involved in almost all aspects of production, from acquiring materials and sampling dyes, to stitching, tasseling, and finishing products. Members also gain essential manufacturing and marketing knowledge that serves as a foundation for their future success as entrepreneurs.

95%

OF ARTISAN COLLECTIVE MEMBERS BELEIVE THE SKILLSETS THEY ARE LEARNING WILL HELP THEM IN THE FUTURE

 
 

Business & Leadership Skills

RefuSHE’s business training curriculum provides Artisan Collective members with the knowledge and tools they need to create business plans, keep records, and manage capital. Members begin their training as students enrolled in the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) before interviewing for a position in the Artisan Collective. Once selected, members are offered hands-on opportunities to learn how to manage a global supply chain and run a social enterprise, as well as vend at pop-up shops, markets, and Artisan Collective events in order to hone their retail and customer service skills.

 
 

Income Generation

Artisan Collective members help design, create, and manage a line of unique, hand-dyed scarves, and other textiles. They are paid a monthly stipend, which members use to pay their rent, feed their families, and cover household expenses. RefuSHE maintains high-profit margins to benefit program participants and ensure that all artisans are paid promptly and fairly. Our financial literacy training also helps members save their earnings and invest in launching their own successful businesses.

74%

OF ARTISAN COLLECTIVE MEMBERS ARE CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO ECONOMICALLY PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE

 
 

A Healing Community

The Artisan Collective is unique in that it enables young women to achieve economic and social independence at their own pace. Most of the artisans have deep emotional and physical scars that require long-term Case Management support. Participants continue their healing within RefuSHE’s supportive environment and find community in their fellow artisans. There is also therapeutic value in creating items by hand. Members of the Artisan Collective are able to work through past trauma and find comfort in repetitive, tactile practices that soothe the central nervous system.

90%

OF ARTISAN COLLECTIVE MEMBERS SAY THEY FEEL HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE