Songa Celebrates the Economic Empowerment of Women in Developing Countries

Songa Designs International Introduces Accessories Handcrafted by Women in Rwanda

San Diego-based company Songa DesignsInternational, an accessories line made by under-resourced women in Rwanda in East Africa to create economic independence have announced the launch of its collection. Founded by Sarah Sternberg, the handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings, belts and other specialty accessories, are entirely constructed and produced in Rwanda using local, natural materials.

 ³We believe in supporting all women and our accessories are the link between supporting a cause, yet also expressing your own style and personality," said Sarah Sternberg, founder of Songa Designs International. Our ultimate goal at Songa is to highlight the powerful stories of Rwandan women in an effort to support their journey toward financial liberation."

Songa, meaning ‘the path forward’ in Swahili, is synonymous with the company's mission. Crafted with fair trade principles in mind, Songa Designs International provides women in Rwanda with the opportunity to make their own income using special skills they acquired from a young age, moving them forward on their road to financial independence.

From the colorful Lindona Necklance ($48) to the minimalistic, hand-woven clutch, each of Songa's designs pay homage to traditional African culture while maintaining a sense of American fashion trends. 

All of Songa's artisanal goods are environmentally friendly, and created with all-natural, locally sourced materials including banana leaf fiber, sisal plant, pewter metal, recycled local fabric and paper beads, re-purposed cow horn and seed beads.

The collection of jewelry and accessories is priced between $16 and $98 MSRP, and is available online at www.songadesigns.com.

Songa Designs International celebrates the empowerment of women around the world. It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa is changing this dynamic. With Songa, under-resourced women have the opportunity to achieve economic independence by using skills acquired through everyday life to make a living.

Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans of Songa in the country of Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high quality accessories inspired by nature. 

Each handmade piece, made of natural materials such as banana leaf fiber, sisal plant, pewter, re-purposed cow horn, paper beads and more, is as unique as the artisan who created it.

Defined as ³the path forward² in Swahili, Songa is synonymous with the journey towards economic empowerment for women in developing countries.

For more information on Songa Designs International, visit www.songadesigns.com. Follow on Facebook @SongaDesignsInternational, Twitter @SongaDesigns, and on Instagram @SongaDesigns.