The Catrinka Project

The Catrinka Project is a collaboration among women from around the world to design a collection of handbags in the 10 countries featured in the groundbreaking film Girl Rising. The profits from the sale of these unique bags, made by socially responsible artisan groups, will go to educate girls in the country where the bag was made. Buy a bag, employ a woman and educate a girl. Visit our website: http://catrinka.com/

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A quote from Manos Artesanas, the Peruvian women weavers who craft our new Soledad tote:  "Knitting is a way we can focus our creative energy and transform materials to craft something handmade that reflects our culture and Peruvian hertige to share with the world. At the same time we can invest in education, welfare of our children and community." To find out more about the Soledad tote visit http://catrinka.com/collections/girl-rising/products/soledad-peru-tote

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"Shruti Vyas, an Indian designer and woman entrepreneur, was frustrated with dealing with Indian factories predominately owned by men when she worked for other brands so when she started her own label, Kan'Did, she decided to start her own manufacturing unit that employs men and women under fair labor conditions in her hometown, the pink city of Jaipur." Find out more about the idea behind the Arya Pencil Case: http://catrinka.com/collections/girl-rising/products/arya-pencil-case-india

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In honor of International Day of the Girl, a beautiful photo series commissioned by Girl Effect reveals eight inspiring girls from around the world who have big dreams for their future.

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The Catrinka Investment Model.

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Please visit our NEW WEBSITE on catrinka.com! Use code IDG10 to take 10% off EVERYTHING to celebrate @dayofthegirl.

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To date we have raised $7,000 to remove barriers between girls and education. Educating a girl for a year costs roughly $150 in our target countries, so this is enough to send 46 girls to school next year. Find out more on our NEW WEBSITE:http://catrinka.com/pages/impact

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Fact: to date, the Catrinka project has provided 1,200 days of fair employment to artisans in 7 countries. Learn more about our partners: http://catrinka.com/the-countries-artisans/

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"Ethical fashion has cool scribbled all over it."  http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/22/jowood

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Keep tweeting and sharing till Sept 24th and $1 will be donated to humanitarian needs such as #Syria for each share!

#theworldneedsmore #education

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From the website of One Mango Tree, our partners in Uganda:

"We started with one woman, Auma Lucy, and began to grow:

28: # of women trained in our tailoring programs in Northern Uganda. From tailors in Gulu market to women in displacement camps to former combatants and victims, we identified women who most needed employment.

12: # of women and men we hired when they lost their jobs due to a local factory closing. More than 3,000 women came to Kampala in 2002 to join the apparel industry. When the biggest factory closed, we brought together a small group to continue working - in much better conditions."

To learn more about our Anena Bag, made by the women of One Mango Tree, visit http://catrinka.com/project/the-anena-bag/

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From the website of Woodward Ethiopia, one of our NGO partners:

"Woodward Ethiopia focuses on the 8 year old girl. Through experience, we believe that by this age she needs to obtain the life skills of a 12 year old in the west in order to navigate her environment. In Kechene, most 12 year old girls are taking on adult responsibilities such as childcare of younger siblings, income generation (often through begging), fire wood collection and household work. Consequently, most girls living in poverty do not have the opportunity to attend school. Many of these girls have already been physically and sexually abused and many will become mothers within the next several years. By focusing on the 8 year old girl, Woodward Ethiopia attempts to strengthen her life skills and build her social capacity and self esteem before the onset of these responsibilities and abuses."

To find out more about the Laurie tote and its ties to Woodward Ethiopia, visit http://catrinka.com/project/the-laurie-tot/

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"Girls' education is a life or death issue." Gene Sperling on girls' education, a video by Half the Sky Movement. 

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As back-to-school season returns, we are thinking about the importance of worldwide education. In the words of Malala Yousafzai, "We are all together, united for the cause of education. And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness."

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A recent report by the Population Council, the U.N. Foundation and the Nike Foundation points to opportunities to provide economic and social opportunities to adolescent girls in migration in the developing world. Recommendations in the report include building social and institutional safety nets to ensure education, basic life skills training, pre-migration briefing, safe havens and social networks in cities.

Read the full article by Kathy Bushkin Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation.

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With just $160, Future for Children-Sierra Leone (one of our NGO partners) can intercept, reunite with his or her family, and educate a Sierra Leonean street child. FFC-SL is a non-governmental organization that helps vulnerable children become meaningful personalities that will contribute to national development.

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Youth from around the world tell us that when you educate the girl child you empower the girl child. REBLOG if you agree!