Where do you work? Whether you walk, bike, drive, work at home, or watch kids, many of us have a place we share with others where we fill our days duties and earn a wage (if we’re fortunate enough) in safe conditions, and provide for ourselves and our families.

In developing nations this isn’t always the case. Many people are unemployed, have unsafe working conditions, experience physical and sexual assault in the workplace and many women are especially vulnerable even throughout their commute to and from the workplace. Even though these occurrences can also happen in North America, many people impacted by poverty and disability in developing nations don’t have accessible resources or the legal base we often have to deal with these injustices.

The NationWares Office: 
Imagine if you lived your whole life as an outcast from the rest of society… discriminated based on your physical appearance or mental capacity and then out of the blue someone came along and accepted you, offered you education, training, and an opportunity to transform your life. You’d take it right??All of the talented people we work with in 10 different countries have had this experience. Not only are they fortunate enough to have a fresh outlook on life and a new or improved set of skills but they are all working and earning an incredible living from the comfort of their home or a safe and secure community training center.

In Uganda we have empowered many vulnerable women by equipping them with funding and resources to start a business making jewelry from recycled newspapers and magazines. They are thrilled to get to work from their homes where they can take care of their children while working and earning money in a safe environment. They often get together and work as a large group on days when they feel like socializing. It’s basically like getting paid to hang out with your friends while doing something you love. Wouldn’t we all love that?

When NationWares leather products like bracelets and journals are created in Guatemala, the men and women have two multipurpose buildings (one in Amatitlan and one in San Cristobal) where they can come to work. Staff from local NGO Horizontes Cristianos supports each building. They are safe, secure, and accessible environments where people can learn new skills and earn fair wages. The supportive staff team drives the employees to and from work if they cannot find transportation!

In Kenya we are thrilled to see the success of the Matangwe Community Center operated and funded by Caring Partners Global. They have a hardworking staff team committed to helping vulnerable people acquire new skills like literacy, tailoring, jewelry making, carpentry, computer skills, and even resume writing. We currently support the students who are completing the tailoring and jewelry making programs and are excited to debut their latest product lines this fall!

Don’t these sound like pretty great places to work? We think so! We love seeing and hearing success stories from places like these as the once marginalized become successful business people, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Want to be part of the team? Buy NationWares products, help us fund a small start up business in a developing nation, or become part of our staff or volunteer team and help share the love. Let us know how you would like to contribute by emailing info@nationwares.com as you think of us today!