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SAME SKY announces Mark Ackermann, President and CEO of Lighthouse International, as our May Ambassador of the Month! Mark has been a longtime friend and supporter of SAME SKY. His work with Lighthouse International has helped innumerable people overcome the challenges of vision loss through prevention, treatment, and empowerment. We spoke with Mark on how his life led him to help empower women in Rwanda, the uniqueness of SAME SKY in the non-profit world, and his message to SAME SKY’s customers.

What drew you to SAME SKY?

I’ve known Francine LeFrak for many years and came to know of her amazing work with SAME SKY. After attending several SAME SKY events and expressing an interest to help, I was privileged to be asked to serve as an Ambassador. Francine’s incredible commitment to this effort and the inspiring work of the artisans are what ultimately drew me to SAME SKY.

What makes SAME SKY unique or stand out from other organizations?
The uniqueness of SAME SKY is reflected in its mission as a fair trade initiative. The
idea of offering employment to women living with HIV/AIDS in Africa is so very unique in
comparison to other organizations that I am involved with.

How does SAME SKY’s mission reflect your own interests and goals?
Having spent more than thirty years running not-for-profit organizations, I am particularly
enthralled with SAME SKY’s unique way of empowering women through fair trade. This
life-affirming mission is very reflective of the work that I have been doing throughout my
entire career.

What does women’s empowerment mean to you? Has women’s empowerment always
been a part of your life?
My wife, three daughters, and two daughters-in-law are all very active and
accomplished women. They have all taught me the importance of women’s
empowerment through the way they live their lives every day. It is my view that the
work that SAME SKY does empowers the artisans, furthering their economic and
psychological independence each day.

Do you have a message for the artisans? Do you have a message for our customers?
For our artisans, I say, “Keep up the good work. You are all truly amazing women and
your work inspires us each and every day. It is a privilege to serve as your Ambassador
in the United States.”

For our customers, I say, “Thank you for your purchase of these fair-trade jewelry items.
By supporting SAME SKY you are effecting the lives of hundreds of women and their
families who are the true beneficiaries of your generosity!”

Beatha is one of SAME SKY’s talented artisans working out of the AVEGA collective in Kigali, Rwanda. Her optimism and uplifting spirit has made her a role model and a friend to both her community and the entire SAME SKY team.

Beatha is particularly important this month because of her tremendous accomplishments as a mother. Beatha was recently able to send her son to the National University of Rwanda, the largest university in the country.  Her son was unable to get a a scholarship so Beatha paid the tuition for him, she said “I was obliged to solve this problem myself and try my best to meet his needs.” She also has been able to help support her friends’ children with extra money when they need it.

Beatha told SAME SKY that working in a collective completely changed her attitude towards life’s obstacles. No longer does Beatha feel that she faces these issues alone, but rather shares experiences with her friends in the group. They give each other advice on pressing issues like how to open a bank account or take foreign HIV medication. “When I have a problem that requires money I do not panic because I know that soon my work will help me solve this problem… The fact that I am a worker makes me feel proud of myself.”

Beatha is so thrilled that she is now able to buy clothes that are fashionable and that make her feel beautiful. During the Genocide her, along with her friends, had forgotten the feeling of self confidence. With her future earnings Beatha hopes to build a big enough house for her family, and she also wants to study English.

Beatha’s Message to the Customers: “You have made the right choice by buying SAME SKY products manufactured by our group. I thank you for buying these products because it is a way to indirectly help us fight against poverty in our family. I would also say a little about the love, devotion, and kindness of the SAME SKY team.”

Clemantine is an original member of SAME SKY’s inaugural project in Kigali. We are so excited to announce the birth of her beautiful baby girl, Asanti! Asanti is now 6 months old and brings so much joy to Clemantine’s life. With Clemantine’s earnings from SAME SKY she has been able to send her other child to school and has even started school herself. With any extra money, Clemantine helps to buy the children in her neighborhood materials and a uniform so that they can also attend school. She has been a true leader for SAME SKY, and has become a dear friend to everyone in the SAME SKY Kigali collective. 

Janet Walkow is an inspiration to all women -her passion and dedication to the women’s movement has uplifted lives all over the world.  Janet is the founder of the Leading Women Project, which works to help all women find the confidence that they need to lead self sustaining lives. Janet very serendipitously met SAME SKY Founder Francine LeFrak on a plane ride from Rwanda to New York. The two were meant to be friends  -they shared stories and methods on empowering women, engaging women in technology, and helping women to lift themselves out of poverty. Ever since that plane ride several years ago, Janet Walkow has played an instrumental role in the success of SAME SKY.

SAME SKY is so thrilled to announce her as our April Ambassador of the Month! Read our interview with her below to see her definition of empowerment, her journey there, and what SAME SKY means to the women who support it.

What drew you to SAME SKY? What makes SAME SKY unique or stand out from other organizations?

I met Francine LeFrak on an airplane as I left Rwanda, after a weeklong trip with Women for Women International. We traded stories about our recent Rwanda travels and she shared stories about SAME SKY and showed me the magnificent bracelets made by the incredible women artisans that SAME SKY trains and employs. I was moved by Francine’s stories and inspired by her ability to make her vision for empowering women a reality.

How does SAME SKY’s mission reflect your own interests and goals?

I am involved in a number of efforts to empower women, locally and around the world, which is well aligned with SAME SKY’s mission. Shortly before my trip to Rwanda, I co-founded the Leading Women Project, designed to help women of all ages, backgrounds and professions – learn to lead – both themselves and others. In addition, I work with a variety of organizations that combine my passion to empower women and support entrepreneurs, creating Women in Science programs and serving as a coach and mentor helping women develop leadership skills.

What does women’s empowerment mean to you? Has women’s empowerment always been a part of your life? As you continue your studies are women a factor in your life goals?

Women are empowered when they have the tools, support system, drive and ability to write their own script. Full empowerment is having a voice and choice in what fulfills their wants and needs. I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a home where my parents raised me to believe in myself and never stop pursuing dreams and opportunities. They supported my choices to do as I wanted politically, socially and economically, shaping me as feminist before I even knew that word. Growing up in an environment where empowerment was the norm, I continue to make it a reality for every woman.

Do you have a message for the artisans? Do you have a message for our customers?

Artisans: You are the real thing – role models for women around the world. Your strength, courage and talent are inspirational

Customers: Wearing SAME SKY products, I feel connected to women who have worked to overcome loss and hardships. Their serve as a constant reminder what women can accomplish when given the opportunity. It’s a remarkable feeling!

As we commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide this week, let’s all look to Rwanda as a model for reconstruction. The country’s great leap from the darkest days of the genocide to now can at times seem like a miracle…  But it’s a miracle that can be attributed to the Rwandan people who demanded reconciliation rather than revenge in the days, months, and years that followed the horrific genocide.

While working in Rwanda, SAME SKY has witnessed the country’s tremendous progress. Now Rwanda is attracting investment, fighting corruption, and improving the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In fact 7 years from now, Rwanda intends to be a middle-income country, much like Brazil, Thailand, and other countries that have been able to lift themselves out of poverty.

On SAME SKY’s last visit to Rwanda, we saw impressive road construction, and new supermarkets and ATMs popping up throughout the country. Just a decade ago, Rwanda could not get tourists to pay the $375 fee to visit the famous Rwandan gorillas, but now there are not enough $500 tickets to meet the demand.

Everyday SAME SKY is thrilled to work with such an incredible country and culture. We are continuously amazed at the courage of our SAME SKY artisans who are lifting themselves out of poverty and rebuilding their lives.

SAME SKY invites everybody to join us in commemorating the 19^th anniversary of the genocide… We will be hosting an event at SAKS Fifth Avenue this Saturday and Sunday (more information here), come by to help support these genocide survivors who now hand crochet beautiful SAME SKY jewelry.

Stay tuned for the launch of SAME SKY’s 100 day campaign where we will shed light on one SAME SKY artisan and genocide survivor’s story each week through the duration of the genocide anniversary.

SAME SKY is so thrilled to introduce our March Ambassador of the Month, Muna Rihani Al-Nasser. Muna is the Chair of UN Women For Peace, an organization that advances women’s empowerment causes all over the world through social, cultural, and educational programs. Originally from Jordan, but now a resident of Qatar, Muna and UN Women For Peace have organized a “March on March 8th” to celebrate International Women’s Day. The March intends to raise awareness for the alarmingly high levels of gender based harassment and violence that still happens all over the world. Find out more about the event by reading her recent Huffington Post article here.

Read more! »

Founder Francine LeFrak speaks out on the importance of International Women’s Day and how to use the day as a catalyst to promote real change for women in need. This March 8th will mark the 102nd International Women’s Day, and it is time that we use this day to get motivated for gender equality! Read the article published on The Huffington Post Politics Blog here.

What drew you to SAME SKY?

I was drawn to SAME SKY by the incredible stories of the women artisans in Rwanda and Zambia. They are such a powerful group of women that have witnessed and lived through such incomprehensible atrocities… To see them back on their feet is so inspiring.

How do SAME SKY’s goals reflect your own interests?

Number one is seeing women that are independent… These women have endured so much to attain empowerment, that speaks loudest to me.

Do you have a message for our artisans?

I would say keep dreaming and keep persevering. There was a time when you were down and out, but now things are looking up, and you should always be hopeful that the future will hold great things!

Do you have a message for our customers?

Dig deep into your pockets to help this cause! You are not only helping the women of SAME SKY, you are educating the entire world of the ethical shopping movement… And you are showing women in the developing world that there is always hope!

See Founder Francine LeFrak’s article about the death of Jean Harris, and finding inspiration where you least expect it…. She explains how Jean Harris’ work was hard-hitting, yet she was just about the last person she had expected to gain inspiration from.  Jean Harris’ work propelled Francine’s passion for women’s issues while at the same time introducing her to the power of reconciliation.

Check out The Huffington Post article here.

The mission of SAME SKY is near and dear to my heart: “giving women a hand up, not a hand out.” When I met Founder, Francine LeFrak and she used that phrase as she discussed the stunning glass bead bracelets made by SAME SKY’s women artisans, I was immediately captivated and eagerly offered to help the organization. Since then, I have actively promoted and endorsed SAME SKY with wonderful results and feedback. The jewelry is not only beautiful but captures the essence of the organization – an interwoven mosaic depicting the special bond that unites and strengthens the women of the world. I am so thrilled to play an active part in this amazing organization and help the women artisans fulfill their dreams for empowerment and economic security for themselves and their families.