OUR PARTNERS

Rwandans and Americans in Partnership (RAP)

RAP is the Rwanda-based NGO (non-governmental organization) who is the recipient of the USAID grant for $99,000. Cari Clement is on the board of RAP and wrote/provided all the information required for the USAID grant. RAP's other programs include RAPSIDA (HIV/AIDS education and awareness) and Rwanda by Invitation (linking high school students in the US with their counterparts in Rwanda).

United States Agency for International Development

USAID — Rwanda mission for USAID provided $99,000 grant to purchase the 600+ knitting machines and accessories and fund technical and business training for over 1,200 low-income Rwandan women.

Business Council for Peace

BPeace assists women business owners in conflict and post-conflict countries. Its primary countries of activity are Afghanistan and Rwanda. BPeace partners with Rwanda Knits to provide business training to the 17 cooperatives services by Rwanda Knits and expand its success to other artisan groups. Cari Clement is a member of BPeace.

EDImports

www.edimports.com
ED (Economic Development) Imports is a company based in NYC that imports fairly traded goods from developing countries. It has partnered with Rwanda Knits to contract with the knitters to make knitted goods for export.

United Nations Development Fund for Women

www.unifem.org
UNIFEM has partnered with Rwanda Knits to provide facilities and funding for the May 2006 business training for representatives of the 17 cooperatives.

Caron International

www.caron.com
Caron is a yarn manufacturer and manufacturer of the knitting machines used in Rwanda. The company has also donated machines, time, and yarn. Clement sold her company, Bond America, formerly a manufacturer of the knitting machines, to Caron early 2003. Caron supports the Rwanda Knits project through Clement's time and in other ways.

Senator Patrick Leahy

leahy.senate.gov
Senator Leahy's office has been a supporter of the Rwanda Knits project from its inception.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

www.unhcr.org
UNHCR was the initial recipient of 60 knitting machines and training and was instrumental in encouraging the expansion of the project.

USA for UNHCR

www.usaforunhcr.org
USA funding organization for UNHCR that responded to initial letter of offer from Clement to donate 60 knitting machines and training to support a women's economic cooperative anywhere in the world. Through UNHCR, Rwanda was the first country to reply.

Made For Peace

www.madeforpeace.com
Anne Kellett, who has traveled with Clement to Rwanda and has assisted in training the knitters, established this site for those who wanted to purchase knitted items made by the Rwanda Knits cooperatives.

The Amber Chand Collection

www.amberchand.com
Online retailer selling products made by fair trade economic collectives around the world. Will be selling scarves made by the Rwanda Knits knitters.

Aid to Artisans

www.aidtoartisans.org
FACED received a $2,000 grant from Aid to Artisans in 2004. This funded the purchase of 26 knitting machines that were shipped with the USAID machines. 26 knitting machines would provide an income for nearly 60 women in rural Rwanda.

The Organization

Rwanda Knits is part of the Centers for Social Responsibility (CSR), a registered 501c3 nonprofit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible.