Sep 16, 2019

burton + BURTON’s Weaving Hope charity funds a Rwanda school

Burton + BURTON is pleased to share that the first school in Rwanda funded by its charity, Weaving Hope, has been completed. This charitable mission has been in progress for two years, from conception to fulfillment to the sale of 600 baskets that ultimately lead to the construction of the school. Three hundred people from the community attended the dedication, including the Archbishop of Rwanda and local government officials. 

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The area around the preschool was transformed into a space for community gatherings and has also given children who were unable to travel to schools farther away the opportunity for an education for the first time. With the completion of the first school, burton + BURTON and Beacon Technologies, Inc. are excited to share that a second round of baskets will be produced, along with the commitment to build another school in the same community. This commitment will draw more attention from the government, creating an opportunity to attract even better teachers and support.

The idea behind Weaving Hope is simple: fund new schools for Rwandan children with sales of beautiful handcrafted baskets made by local artisans in the small Rwandan village of Gitarama. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to building schools that will nourish the minds and bodies of children–weaving hope for their future. This mission not only helps the children, but also offers opportunities for Rwandan women to earn a steady living and escape gender-based violence, inequality, and discrimination. These authentic, handmade African baskets arrive directly from a women’s cooperative in the village of Gitarama. Proceeds create meaningful jobs that provide for their families, moving them from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. 

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“The ability to complete a school through Weaving Hope is an incredible accomplishment. There have been so many people involved in the entire process. We are fortunate to have been able to sell these baskets and raise enough funds to build a school for children who may have never had the opportunity. We look forward to continuing to raise more funds and building a second school,” said Maxine Burton, founder and president of burton + BURTON. 

For more information, visit www.burtonandburton.com/weavinghope.