Thistle Farms International Partners
As Thistle Farms grows, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with other women’s social enterprises. Becca, both Magdalene's and Thistle Farms' founder, has visited each of the following organizations and has seen their remarkable work first-hand.
Ikirezi
During a trip to Rwanda in 2008, a team from Thistle Farms formed a relationship with Ikirezi, a community-interest agribusiness that works primarily with widows and orphans, many from the Rwandan genocide. Ikirezi's work is done in a "holistic effort to restore their dignity, improve their livelihoods, and rebuild their communities." Ikirezi produces high quality essential oils native to Rwanda, and its organic geranium oil is featured in our Geranium Spray, Geranium Fields Shower Gel, and the Geranium Fields Scented Oil in the Evening Survival Kit.
Lwala
Thistle Farms also partners with Lwala Community Alliance in Kenya. Lwala is a community initiative in Kenya focused on health, education, and economic sustainability. The Women's Sewing Project is a microenterprise of women tailors committed to improving the health status of women in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. Women in this community hand sew the vibrant bags we are proud to feature in many of our Thistle Farms survival kits.
ABAN
The third organization we are presently working with is based in Ghana. The mission of ABAN (A Ban Against Neglect) is to transform an environmental epidemic into hope by empowering young impoverished women in Ghana and providing them with the tools necessary to practice a trade, make a living, and become self-reliant leaders of their community. In the process they recycle 3,000 plastic bags per week, changing them into unique, handmade products. ABAN has custom-created beautiful bracelets in the Evening Survival Kit as well as the zippered bags in our Travel Survival Kit.
When you purchase Thistle Farms products you are helping women across the world become self-sufficient and transform their lives.
Photos (top to bottom): Becca and Thistle Farms team at Ikirezi in Rwanda; a woman tailor at Lwala in Kenya; Becca and her family with the women and staff of ABAN in Ghana.