Amizade helps foster Ujamaa and KVDPA partnership

Besides empowering individuals and communities through worldwide service and learning since, Amizade also fosters relationships to bring people and organizations together. A recent example of Amizade cultivating relationships is the new partnership between Ujamaa and Karagwe Vimaka Vocational Training Development and Poverty Alleviation (KVDPA) in Tanzania.

With the help of Amizade, Ujamaa got in touch with KVDPA and established a fair trade relationship with KVDPA, providing fair pay and marketing support for their textile designs.

“This new relationship offers our boutique the chance to meet the requests of our clientele for contemporary clothing styles created with African fabric,” said Ujamma.

Items can be purchased at the Ujamaa boutique at 1901 Centre Avenue, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

KVDPA is a nonprofit community-based organization of youth and women, a competent and effective service provider in alleviating suffering through community care and support of those affected by HIV/AIDS.  It was founded in 2006 by Kemilembe Kanani and only three volunteers who had been making fabric clothes for women and school uniforms for children. KVDPA has grown into a vibrant institution with 125 volunteers and more than 250 members. One of the main services provided is hands-on learning in textiles and sewing.

Amizade has been working with several community partnerships in Karagwe, Tanzania since 2003, connecting volunteers and students to community projects for experiential learning and service. Kemi and other members were curious when Amizade leaders told them about a partnership with women of African descent in Pittsburgh, PA who united under the banner of Ujamaa, a word that has its origins in their home of Tanzania.

Karagwe is one of the eight districts of the Kagera Region of Tanzania. It is bordered to the North by Uganda, to the East by the Bukoba Rural District, to the Southeast by the Muleba District, to the South by the Ngara District and to the West by Rwanda, which is divided by the River Kagera.

Ujamaa Collective is a non-profit organization founded with a social mission to create spaces, opportunities, networks, education and support for Africana women to grow as entrepreneurs, artisans, and servant-leaders so that we may “lift as we climb”.

Amizade is excited to see this Ujamaa and KVDPA partnership flourish and grow. For updates on other Amizade partnerships like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.