Our Journey to Improving Livelihood of Families in Africa

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Inspiring Conversations with Zellipah Githui of Gitzell FairTrade International

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started? I was born in Kenya as the 8th child out of 9 of my mother and 16th out of 17 of my father. As a young child, I knew firsthand what hunger is and experienced what being without looking like. My father was a civil servant, and my mother was a subsistence farmer. While not farming, she was sewing, knitting, and weaving sisal baskets. At that time, the fence to our homestead was sisal-cactus lined for 3 reasons: 1. to put bad guys away with the thorns, 2. give privacy 3. provide the raw material for mum’s baskets.

Sewing I did not like, even today. Needleless to say, I started knitting and weaving baskets before I knew how to read and write. I learned to weave and enjoyed weaving sisal baskets. I also learned to sell at the markets primarily near our health center, where I sold bananas, sweet potatoes, baskets, etc. this was to supplement my mum’s income from her farm produce to help with food and school fees.

Fast forward, I moved to the united states in 1998 with a suitcase full of souvenirs from my family. With my love of community engagement, I started showcasing my souvenirs to the students and staff, and Soon souvenirs were sold in a cultural exchange activity in college. An idea sparked Mmm.

My dream became finding a way to share the beautiful work of the artisans- (passion with baskets) with others in a way guaranteed to benefit everyone involved in a fair and prosperous way. I started Gitzell Imports LLC(Gitzell Fairtrade International) focused on craft fairs and festivals. I later started wholesale and joined the Fair Trade Federation.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth? My business terrain has had some bumps. 1. Niche Market & acceptance – Identify the right market for the African handcrafts. I have leveraged this to create the niche market

2. Language and accent bias- The listener thought I spoke another language while I spoke English. This authenticity has been my superpower

3. Non-standard supply chain-Grassroot- because the baskets are done in rural, remote areas, getting goods to the city for export is not always easy. I have turned this into an opportunity where I train and speak on it.

4. Financing- access to funding for import business continues to be a great challenge.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gitzell FairTrade International? Gitzell FairTrade has a selection of hand-woven baskets, home décor, hand-made jewelry, and a variety of zen gardens decor. Gitzell FairTrade International partners with weavers in different African counties and helps Improve their livelihood one basket at a time by selling various African Baskets in the global market and currently supporting over 220 families. We work under the principles of the Fair-Trade federation. Artisans use environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. We work with artisans to develop different ways of adapting to the changing market. Working with artisans in Africa is both rewarding and socially ethical.

Our specialty is the African Basket. All shapes, sizes, and colors of the basket. We are largely wholesalers and online retail. Gitzell FairTrade is well respected for the authenticity, partnering with producers, good quality, and training extended to the larger fair trade industry. I, as the founder, have a lot of passion for this as I know how it impacted our family with the woven baskets. I have the same joy in impacting a family’s life in Africa.

What does success mean to you? Success is when there will not be a single soul sleeping hungry. We each need to do our part. When I was young, I saw a lot of poverty and defined what success meant to me. I defined it as “having a distribution center in Kenya where lots of people would be employed so they can feed their family and improve their livelihood.” Almighty God determined the distribution center to be in Saint Charles, Missouri.

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THE WEAVERS PRIDE

The weavers' pride pot is a rare and unique pot design. Handmade by weavers in West Africa, Ghana, specifically in the Bolgatanga village, these prideful baskets have a rich history dating back over 300 years. From ancient times to the present, weaving has been an integral part of the culture and livelihood of the people of Bolgatanga.

The all-round design of these baskets, with a single handle across the top, makes them ideal for carrying goods to the market or for use as a stylish and sustainable home decor item.

However, the process of creating a Bolga market basket is not a simple one. It takes a large amount of natural grass, straw, leather, and specifically, Kinkahe grass (also known as Bolgatanga Elephant Grass), as well as time and skillful thoughts to complete one basket.

In the early days, Bolga baskets were known for their sturdiness and durability, making them ideal for use as planters, storage containers, centerpieces, and fireplace décor. They were also given as wedding gifts or used to store wine, fruits, and other goods at farmers markets.

To begin the process, the weavers gather 100% natural elephant grass and split the strands in half. They then carefully weave the strands over several days, using intricate techniques to create the unique pot design. The weaving process requires a high level of skill and attention to detail to ensure that the basket is strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Despite the challenges of creating these baskets, the weavers take great pride in their work. Each basket is a testament to their craftsmanship, skill, and dedication to preserving their cultural heritage. In addition, the creation of Bolga market baskets provides much-needed income for the weavers and their families, as well as contributing to the local economy.

The popularity of Bolga market baskets has grown in recent years, as people around the world have come to appreciate the unique beauty and cultural significance of these handmade creations. Artisans in Bolgatanga, like the weavers who make the Bolga market baskets, are now able to showcase their skills and earn a sustainable income through fair trade practices. In this way, the tradition of Bolga basket weaving continues to thrive, and the weavers' pride in their work is passed down to future generations.

Bolga Basket, Small- Large

Today, Bolga baskets have evolved to become versatile and practical household items, and their aesthetic appeal makes them perfect for a variety of uses. They are commonly used to store towels, pool or bathroom accessories, toys, knitting projects, magazines, and other bathroom or household items. They make great decorative centerpieces for homes or events, and they are perfect for taking on picnics or to the beach as a tote.

Aside from their functionality, Bolga baskets also have cultural and social significance. The weavers in Bolgatanga, who are predominantly women, use their weaving income to support their families and educate their children, breaking the cycle of poverty and building a better future for their communities. As fair trade members, Gitzell supports these women weavers in Bolgatanga by providing them with a sustainable income and access to markets. By purchasing Bolga baskets, consumers can support these weavers and contribute to the local economy in a meaningful way.

You will receive one of this POT Design Bolga African Market basket (2 Tone)

Our Pot design market Bolga baskets come in 2 different colors tones and trim on the leather handle. They are Large Bolga baskets measuring approx 12-14" wide by 15-18" high (not all are identical as are they are all handcrafted). They come in 2 tones Natural dye-free and Navy Blue with different designs & patterns that spell out elegance, pride, and beauty. Hence the name “WEAVERS PRIDE” Colored baskets are permanently food dyed while rich gold (natural color) is dye-free.

They are durable and stay fresh all year. They last and maintain shape for years. They are resistant to all weather and maintain its shape and color for many years. If you need to "reshape" your basket, gently mist with water and reshape by hand, then allow it to dry. Keep the handle dry. Shipped from USA made in Ghana and will arrive flattened. Instructions will be included.

OTHER BOLGA BASKETS MADE FROM WEST AFRICA Fairly traded by GITZELL FAIRTRADE

Bolga baskets are beautifully crafted items that are not only practical but also have a positive impact on the lives of the weavers who create them. Whether used for decoration or storage, these baskets are a symbol of African craftsmanship and culture, and their popularity continues to grow around the world. So, grab your Bolga basket now and let's support these weavers with Gitzell's fair trade products from Africa.

Caring For Your Handmade Baskets

The correct way to store your basket when it's not in use is by inverting the basket as shown above.

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Later, when you need to use it, you'll find that the basket is a bit stiff and has taken it's folded shape which can be a bit hard to undo. The best way to revive the basket is to dip it in water (preferably cold water) to loosen the yarn and undo the fold. This way, the basket freely loosens and allows you to mold it into the shape you would like it to have.

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After putting it in water and udoing the fold, you simply tap the basket on a flat surface to get rd of any excess water. If the weather permits, you can now leave the beasket out to dry so you can put it into good use!

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