Producers

Our partners are poor small-scale producer groups based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our work directly affects the lives of about 100 workers, and indirectly through their dependents, well over 500 people are impacted. Our vision is for this to grow as our work moves further into its second decade.

All groups face different challenges – from the stigma of having leprosy and the challenge of finding work, to the trauma of becoming a refugee and having to flee their homeland. Others are simply from poor backgrounds and are seeking to make their living in dignified and remunerative ways.

Point of Contact not only buys from these groups at a fair price, but we work with groups over the long term (since 1999) with the aim of helping them to grow in terms of size as well as in improved earnings. For example, we have acted as a catalyst in the generation of new product ideas and designs that have resulted in up to 10 fold increases in piece rate earnings.

As part of our work, we also help groups to find a market in their own country. This means that whilst sales from this website provide ONE source of income, in fact most of their earnings come from sales in Addis Ababa to local shops, hotels or even direct to customers who come to their workshops. We regard this as a success, since when Point of Contact started working in Ethiopia, some artisans were heavily reliant upon our purchases. This is now no longer the case. Having a diversified income base not only increases their incomes, but also provides for greater long-term financial security.

To find out what all our partners have to say, read their