Ayindisa Achievements

In 2009, we visited all of our artisans and producers in Ghana to evaluate our missions impact, gather more information on how their lives are improving and how we can better work together to implement our principles. Ayindisa gave three equipment micro-credit loans to artisans this year and, since 2006, we have continued to assist the communities and artisans in developing their products, receiving literacy and other training, sending numerous producer’s and their children to school, allowing them to gain access to food and much needed medical attention and travel. Read about some of these highlights below:

 

Bernice Frimpong Ankrah is a talented designer, artisan and the founder of Bags by Bernice and More in Accra, Ghana. She creates one-of-a kind, hand-made, designer handbags exclusively for Ayindisa, LLC. Bernice joined us in 2006. For many years, Bernice worked and produced her handbags in a small room, which was inside the home of a friend. However, in 2007 she had the opportunity to move into a new building in downtown Accra, which is Ghana’s capital city. KOMART, a partner of Ayindisas, and an African NGO (non-governmental organization) assisted in finding and paying all the costs for this room. The room is large enough for Bernice and her growing staff, therefore, they have room to operate a few sewing machines, and to display and sell all of her products locally. Furthermore, in June 2009, Bernice received a micro-credit equipment loan from Ayindisa, which enabled her to purchase a large industrial sewing machine, which she needed to better complete orders. She is very happy and loves everyone who supports her and her family.

 

The 30 women of Ayindisa basket weaver co-op are using their income to buy food and to send their children to school. We are currently working with these artisans to address their needs by building a new shelter where they live subsequently allowing them a space where they can share new ideas, teach weaving skills, and where they can be together while creating their one-of-a-kind, hand-woven baskets.

 

 

 

Ayindisa’s talented drum-maker and Ghana in-country director, Dagando, finished building a brand new drum shop of his own on June 16, 2007, in the art center marketplace in Accra, Ghana with a micro-credit loan, which he received from Ayindisa. Now he is able to sell his drums to tourists and to have a safe place to store his tools. This additional revenue has enabled him to assist a few of his relatives in attending school. Dagando supports his parents who are very old and his deceased uncle’s five children providing them with food and shelter. Dagando is using a portion of his income to fix his family’s home in the North, which was destroyed in the devastating floods that ravaged much of the Northern part of Ghana in 2008. Currently, he is very happy in aiding his younger sister in attending a University, which is the first time anyone in his family has attended.

 

Joana Lekia Nelson and her sister Ginatu Doe are both talented and creative designers who are very happy with Ayindisa’s support and the profit they make, since what they earn is more substantial than what they were making while doing business with mainstream companies.

 

 

 

 

Gladys Commey, who creates pure natural beauty products, recently stated how she felt Ayindisa’s support and partnership is a blessing in her life. Our support has assisted her Shea-butter co-op in Northern Ghana to grow and improve the quality of life of the artisans that work with Gladys.
“Greetings to everyone at Ayindisa, I love you all." -Gladys

 

 

 

Letters of Recommendation

October 2008
ASCEND, A Humanitarian Alliance
[ read letter ]

December 2008
Komart Foundation
[ read letter ]

June 2008
Forever Young Foundation
[ read letter ]