Gifts That Give Back: Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace Collection

For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has been one of my favorite holidays. When I was younger it meant sneaking bites of food while my mom and aunt cooked. Eventually it meant sneaking food while helping out in the kitchen. Now it means pretending I don’t see my husband and son sneaking tastes while I’m cooking dinner. If you didn’t already low, I’m a bit of a foodie. My family wasn’t rich by an stretch of the imagination and while I never went to bed hungry, Thanksgiving was like an “all you can eat buffet,” but more sanitary. My mom and aunt often pooled resources to make sure my siblings and cousins had plenty of food. Plus, our schools often donated food baskets to lower income families, something that I remember feeling embarrassed about at the time.

Now that I’m older I can look back on those days not only with fondness, but deep gratitude. I am incredibly grateful for not only the sacrifices my parents made, but also for the generous people who donated to my family in those hard times. At the moment, the things I experienced growing up aren’t realities for Sesame and I hope they never are, but we all know that life can change so quickly and often with no warning. In the meantime, I plan to not only teach him the importance of being grateful, but also giving back. For many of us giving back means signing up  to serve food at local soup kitchens or donating clothing to homeless shelters. While you can still do these things, you can also purchase holiday gifts that give back. This year I plan to shop small businesses and department stores like Macy’s with a giving back program.

In 1995, Macy’s went to Rwanda in an effort to help support the struggling economy after the genocide. Ten years later, they launched the Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace Collection. Path to Peace focuses on trade not aid, and currently employs over 2,500 weavers. The project gives the women of Rwanda both sustainable income and the chance to take an active role in shaping their future. You can purchase hand crafted items like the Rwanda Bread Basket. The bread basket incorporates traditional Rwandan weaving techniques and is made with sweetgrass and raffia. As my family sits down to Thanksgiving Dinner, the bread basket will be a silent and powerful reminder of all that we have to be grateful for this holiday season.

To find out more about Rwanda Path to Peace and its items follow Heart of Haiti’s social channels @HeartofHaiti on Twitter and Heart of Haiti on Facebook. To learn more about how Rwanda Path to Peace is helping entire Rwandan communities visit this page.

Will you be purchasing gifts that give hope this holiday season? If so, what? I know I have my eyes on quite a few amazing items.