ANGELE.H INTERNATIONAL

SemSem is also partnering with Angele.H International, a very special organization founded ten years ago by Angele Homawoo in her native country of Madagascar. With a mission to help local women live healthy, stable lives, she provides a steady salary to the artisans she employs in exchange for their beautiful handiwork. Each of the dresses and tops made with Angele.H International uses an entirely hand-stitched smocking technique which is beautiful, but time consuming. The smocking for one dress can take a single artisan up to 35 hours, and the piecing and assembly of the design consumes even more time.

Because ninety-nine percent of the craftswomen are either single mothers or widows, Angele.H International also commits to full healthcare coverage for employees and their children, including prescription drug coverage. To help the women achieve a more secure future, the organization also helps them establish retirement savings and contributes the equivalent of 13% of their salaries to the fund each month. Transportation to and from work is also provided.