Creating Markets for Heritage Products (B-Bobby)

Applying business principles and thinking to “making a difference” projects, this initiative aims to help indigenous communities by drastically increasing the intrinsic value of their skills. Working with communities, the Foundation aims to help them market their crafts in western markets, at a substantial markup and use the profits to support community development projects.

Here are some examples:

Kalandia

The Sager Family Foundation supports the work of the Kalandia Camp Women’s Handicraft Cooperative located in the Kalandia Refugee Camp in the West Bank, by purchasing handicrafts produced by the women of the cooperative.

The Foundation is actively engaged with the cooperative to design products that could easily be marketed at a premium price as well as funding various training programs to maintain this traditional Palestinian art. For example, Tess and Elaine are working with the women at Kalandia to design bracelets and pillows that not only showcase the community’s unique skills and designs, but would also be appealing to a buyer in the U.S Europe, and the Middle East.

Rwandan Baskets

Through its micro enterprise initiative in Rwanda, the Foundation is helping women set up businesses, which empower them to play a greater role in their families and communities. One such business involves Rwandan women hand weaving traditional baskets. As with the handicrafts from Kalandia, the Foundation is looking to create a market for these baskets and sell them in the west at a high markup, using the profits to improve the lives of the communities involved.