Paper Craft

Our last stop before heading back to the states was at Paper Craft. That's where we get our recycled glass neckaces. We have also carried journals that they make with handmade paper.

Demonstrating the paper making process

We got a tour of the workshop, starting with how they make their paper.  It's quite the process and it really makes me want to make my own! After each sheet is blended, soaked, and set, it is set outside to dry on the lawn.

Finished paper drying out

All of the recycled glass products are made behind the building. Bottles are crushed and the glass powder is put into different molds. Those molds are put into the fire pit and the powder is transformed into beads and pendants.

Finished recycled glass pieces

It was a great day at Paper Craft! Two really creative ways of using and reusing our resources are being mastered there. 


Enjoy your weekend!


-Kerbi
Team RETCo.

Village Art

When we finally got to Uganda (after that long bus ride), we headed to Kaihura. That's the village where Global Support Mission got its start with Faith and Bringing Hope to the Family.

 

Our most recent order on the chalk board

Working hard

One of the auxiliary programs is called Village Art which provides jobs to women in the village who can sew and weave.

Faith (third from left) and all of the ladies

RETCo. works with Village Art quite a bit! We get all of our cloth totes and drawstring bags (that come free with each RETCo. purchase) from them.

We also just created a quilt with them. Here's a sneak peak...

Have a great Monday!

-Kerbi
Team RETCo.

Video: The time our bus broke down.

It's a 12 hour bus ride from Nairobi to Kampala. Our bus broke down for a few hours in the middle of the journey to keep things interesting! Here's a little record of our trip...



-Kerbi
Team RETCo.

Benson's Workshop

We went over to Benson's workshop yesterday where all of our bone jewelry is made.

 

We interviewed Benson (above on the left) about his business, and we will share it with you so you can get to know him too! Look at Brady up there behind the camera.

All of the jewelry starts out like these bones shown above. You'd never guess something so pretty once looked like this.

Here are some of Benson's employees working on shaving down the bone into earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. It's awesome that Benson's business has grown enough that he can provide jobs for locals.

 

This is what the bones turn into. The work that these guys do is pretty amazing.

 

Rebecca modeled one of the first pieces that we've designed with Benson. The heart pendant necklace will be debuting soon and you'll only be able to find it at Red Earth! We are very excited.

We had a great day hanging out with Benson and his crew. We did some more designing and placed a big order that will be available on the store soon.

We're having a blast here! Have a great weekend!

-Kerbi

Team RETCo.

Karibu!

Upon arriving in Kenya, there are a couple words that I learned right away. Karibu, which means "welcome", and jambo, which means "hello."

The first thing we did after checking in at our hotel was plan our stay over Kenyan coffee. We have a lot to do in 10 days! Up there is Travis enjoying his cup.

We went right away to meet up with a few of our artisans. We saw Jack (beaded jewelry), Gabriel (metal), and Benson (bone). We started working with them on design, orders, and setting up times for interviews. We're going to have tons of photos and video to share, so you get to meet these guys too!

We were also able to go check out the Magik Grace store and workshop. It was incredible!

Overall, we had a great first day in Kenya. Even though we were tired, we hit the ground running on making the most of our time here!

Up next: our day at Benson's workshop.

Have a great day!

-Kerbi
Team RETCo.

30 hours, 3 flights, and 3 continents

We set out for Nairobi on Tuesday afternoon. Our travels began without a hitch and we were all very excited to begin our adventure.

Here's the whole team (minus camera man Travis) in Nashville.

We had a slight change in plans after our first flight to DC was delayed due to weather. We missed our connection to Brussels and ended up catching a flight to Dubai. After that 13 hour flight, we were pretty exhausted.

Finally, we arrived in Kenya after a day and a half of traveling.  After two full days here, jet lag is starting to wear off.  We've already been meeting with the artisans and we're working on some exciting things that we'll be sharing soon.

Enjoy the photos and stay tuned!

-Kerbi
Team RETCo.

What it is all about...

You may or may not know this, but Red Earth Trading Co. is not all about great jewelry.  It is about so much more!  It is about real people with real lives and helping in a real way.

In brief, RETCo. exists to help sustain an organization called Global Support Mission that works with local organizations, called Network Affiliates, in developing countries.  Inside Global Support Mission exists a a program called Know.Think.Act.  Know.Think.Act. allows people to get involved and raise money for actual needs in the organizations we support.  So like I said, it is not all about great jewelry.
 

My name is Katie Sasser and I not only work for RETCo., but I also work for Global Support Mission (GSM).  My husband and I live in Uganda, Africa working with one of our Network Affiliate's called Bringing Hope to the Family.  So, from time to time I will post a blog that talks about what is going on over here, and how buying jewelry is changing the world one community, one family, one person at a time.

Recently, we finished a well in a village called Kariruga located in Western Uganda in the Katooke district. This money for this well was raised on www.knowthinkact.com.  It was just people sharing the vision and wanting to give.  This well supplies clean water to 29 families that can sleep better at night knowing that they do not have to worry about diseases due to unclean water.

stay adventurous

-katie
Team RETCo.

If you are interested in learning more please visit www.globalsupportmission.com and www.knowthinkact.com 

21 Days: Our Itinerary

Our trip to Africa is right around the corner! We are very excited and have began our travel preparations. Here is a peek at the work we will be accomplishing during our travels.


May 19th-May 29th: Staying in Nairobi
     Interview, Tour, and Film the following artisans and workshops
     *Metal
     *Bone
     *Beaded Necklaces
     *Scarves
     *Banana Fiber
     Discuss New product design with artisans
     Plan and establish shipping practices
     Visit MagikGrace Workshop
     Masai Market
     *raw materials - purchase and find where they make pieces
     *antique glass necklaces
     Find place of production and purchase scarves
     Purchase Banana Fiber products (trees and nativity sets)
May 29th - travel to Kampala
May 30th - travel to Kaihura
May 30th-June 2nd - Kaihura- stay at Faiths
     Village Art
     Meet with Chris and Katie and Faith
     Purchase more millet baskets
June 2nd-June 7th -Kampala
     Filming & Interviewing the following artisans and products
     *Cow Horn
     *Paper Crafts Inc.
     *Coconut
     *Banana Fiber Weave
     *Large Baskets
     *Table Runners and Mats 
June 7th - Depart for US


I hope everyone is having a great week!
-Katy
Team RETCo.

Spring has Sprung!

Winter was officially over this past Sunday and a new season has begun. There's nothing like the inspiration that comes from new life in the Springtime.

We just discovered these little guys right outside the office.

Springtime here at RETCo also means lots of exciting things coming up. 

This is Love Banquet is only two weeks away. We are ready to get together and share what we have been up to. Tickets are still available so join us!

Our International Coordinators Katie and Chris have been back in the states visiting for the past two months.  We got to sit down together yesterday and talk about all things RETCo.  We planned for the future, which includes our upcoming trip to Africa in May.  It's getting so close and we can't wait to get over there and see everyone!

Spring is off to a great start so far!
Have a great weekend!

-Team RETCo

Know.Think.Act

Know.Think.Act, another GSM program, is an online community that lists specific needs in Africa and allows you to pick a project and raise money for it. These projects include everything from mosquito nets and building wells, to HIV treatment and transportation. You raise the money, and locals carry out the change. 100% of the money raised goes towards the project you choose, and you get to see the progress.

Yes, 100% of the money goes toward the projects. Know.Think.Act is able to do that because of us (this is where part of RETCo's profits go) and GSM Legacy Partners (people and businesses that support GSM's operations).



Moses' Story from Global Support Mission on Vimeo.

That's just one of the many stories that we've been able to be a part of through Know.Think.Act. If you want to hear more stories, click here.

Remember, every time you make a purchase from Red Earth, you're not only supporting local businesses in Africa, you're also helping kids like Moses.

If you'd like more information on becoming a Legacy Partner, email info@globalsupportmission.com

Team RETCo

How Red Earth Got Its Name.

Back in March of 2010, a few of us grabbed some coffee and sat down for a morning of brainstorming.  Our goal was to come up with a name for the direct trade branch of Global Support Mission, what we now lovingly call Red Earth Trading Co. 

Basically, it was "anything goes." Whatever idea came to mind, we wrote it up on the office white board, shown below. If you look closely, you can actually see at the top, towards the left, where "Red Earth" was written.

We didn't walk out of the office that day settled on the name.  In fact, we still had no clue what to call the company.  A few weeks later we left for Uganda still thinking it over.

A few weeks into the trip, the name Red Earth resurfaced.  Uganda's dirt roads and foot paths are so beautiful.  The deep red dirt and clay is in such wonderful contrast with the saturated green vegetation and crisp blue skys.  Everything started here, and it only made sense to give the company a name that reminds us of that... that reminds us of those who walk those roads and trails every day.

-Team RETCo.

Hey, I'm Edwin

Hey, I'm Edwin and I am the latest addition to Red Earth Trading Co. Being the new guy means that I am here to help with almost every aspect of the organization.

My Red Earth story starts three years ago. After being a full time touring musician for four years, I suddenly found myself without a band and without direction. I decided to spend some time traveling to try to find the path that God had for me. During my travels I met many new people and also became somewhat enamored with the South, particularly with Nashville, TN. One of the people I met was Kerbi, so when I decided to relocate to Nashville from California we became friends.

It didn't take to long for the music industry to pull me back in and I start touring again soon after. Although I did enjoy what I was doing, I found myself once again looking to do something that had more purpose. I went to an event and saw how much dedication Kerbi had to Red Earth, so I decided to find out more about it. All I had to do was sit down once with Travis to know that this was what I had been looking for. Needless to say, God will open doors if you ask him to.

I am very excited and look forward to what God has in store for all of us here at Red Earth Trading Co.


Edwin

Hi! I'm Maggie.

Hey everybody! My name is Maggie and I am the Office Manager here at Red Earth Trading Co.  I help with anything going on around the office or lend a hand in everything from tagging product to setting up house parties.  My main responsibilities are to keep everyone organized, maintain the finances, and work on everything else administrative. 

My story with Red Earth begins quite a while back even though RETCo. is a newer company.  As soon as I graduated from college with a degree in Psychology I had the desire to travel and see new places and learn about different cultures.  I began my travels by taking the excruciating 18 hour flight to Australia with my best friend.  When I returned home, I knew that trip had sparked something in my life that would affect who I was to become.  A few years later I decided to live abroad in Cyprus, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea, where I attended a small discipleship program. From there I traveled to Israel, Germany, and Greece.  All together I was abroad seven months. This trip added fuel to the fire and really ignited my passions for seeing the beauty in cultures and countries other than my own.  I knew that my life would be spent doing whatever I could to help and serve others.

In February 2009, Travis and I met and in October 2009, we were married.  We quickly learned that we shared the same passion for helping others and seeing others lives changed for the better.  I started helping with Global Support Mission and now with Red Earth Trading Co.  Earlier this year we went to Uganda and Kenya for two and a half months.  Even though I had only heard stories about these places, when I got there I felt at home.  I was so moved by the kindness and joy in the hearts of the people that we began to meet and work with.  What I love most about what we do is being able to capture beauty and stories from a different culture and bring that back to the US.  Whether it be the actual jewelry or the story of a persons' life transformed, it makes me really excited to see where this will take us all. 

Maggie
Office Manager

Hello I'm Katie

Hello, my name is Katie!  This is my family, my husband Chris and my two boys Kolby and Logan.  We live in Uganda, Africa working with Global Support Mission as their International Coordinators on the ground.

We have known Travis and been friends with him for many years.  Back in 2007 Chris and I were leading missions trips through our church and we were looking for a place to go that summer.  Travis came down to the coast and we reconnected and he told us about Global Support and we all decided that it would be amazing to go to Uganda and support GSM and the organization, Bringing Hope to the Family, that they were assisting.  So, in July 2007, we came and life as we knew it would never be the same.  While we were on that trip God spoke to us and Travis that we were to come and live in this tiny village in Western Uganda called Kaihura.  When we returned to the States, the journey of shutting down our lives there and working towards setting up our lives here had begun.

In January 2009 our family officially moved to Uganda, and the life unknown was beginning.  Our time here so far has been amazing.  We love working for GSM and we love seeing its vision unfold.  We work here and serve alongside Bringing Hope to the Family doing whatever we can to help them accomplish their vision.  We do that in many different ways.  We work toward helping them create systems and organization.  Through Know.Think.Act we help fullfil their vision toward community development.  The ultimate goal is to get them to be self sufficient through cost reduction and income generating projects.   And this is where Red Earth Trading Co.'s vision comes into play also.

This past summer while Travis, Brady and others were in Uganda RETCO was birthed.  There are so many talented people who can do such incredible things with the local materials that they have available to them.  But, like Travis stated in his blog, there is a very limited market.  So why not help them and help ourselves which will in turn help them even more because more money will just be poured right back in.   It is a win, win, win situation!

RETCO not only has the vision to just help provide a new market for these Artisans, but also help them create new and better product.  So this is where I come in.  Along with the work my husband and I do for GSM, I also have been doing a lot of work for RETCO.  Here in Kaihura, Bringing Hope had a tailoring shop that they set up for income generation and to also create jobs for some of the best students that graduated from their vocational school.  Unfortunately this shop was causing them to lose money rather than make money.  But, this year I have made it a big project of mine on behalf of GSM and RETCO to help them get this business on the right foot.  This is easier said than done, but we have made tremendous headway and I am so pleased at the progress that has been made.  I have worked with them to create many new and better quality products.  Some of these products you can see when you visit a RETCO party or stand.  I am really looking forward to this next year to see what new things come about.  I also work with all the other partners we do business with and they are all so excited and so grateful for this partnership they now have with RETCO.  It is truly a life changer for them.  Thank you so much for supporting us as we do everything we can to support them.  I hope you love and enjoy the products.  There are amazing stories behind them!

stay adventurous>

Katie
East Africa Product Manager

Hey, I'm Brady

Hey!  My name is Brady and I'm in charge of pretty much anything media related around here…  My involvement with Global Support Mission (and later Red Earth Trading Co.) began in the winter of 2006.  I was in college and was roommates with Travis Gravette when he told me of an upcoming trip he was planning to Uganda.  So after thinking and praying about it, I decided to tag along.  

At the time I was studying recording engineering outside of Nashville and I was trying to figure out how I could make myself useful and how I could use my talents to further the work of GSM.  Since I naturally gravitate towards all things media, filming ended up being a perfect fit.  So a couple months before we left for Uganda, we bought a camera.  Having rarely even held a video camera before, I started messing around and making short videos around town.  As terrible as most of them were(and trust me, they were terrible…), it gave me a chance to get more familiar with filming and we ended up with over 30 hours of footage from that first trip.  From that point, I was hooked.  

After that first trip, I decided that working for GSM was what I wanted to do full time and over the next three years I  worked towards that goal.  During that time I spent tons of time teaching myself video editing, animation, graphic design and web development.  By early 2010 I was able to stop working side jobs just to scrape by and this allowed me to put all of my energy and efforts towards Global Support.  

Later that year, we created a "Direct-Trade" company called Red Earth Trading Co.  It was something that was birthed naturally from GSM, through the relationships we built and the needs we saw on the ground.  

The way we've set up our operations at RETCo is truly awesome!   Through our sales, we are able to pour 100% of our income back into Global Support and therefore back into the communities that we work in.  This creates a sustainability piece for not only the communities we work in, but also for GSM as a non-profit.  In turn, this allows us to put an even greater amount of our donor's gifts directly towards pressing needs!

All in all, the past few years have been an incredible adventure.  I never could have imagined how difficult it would be, but the challenges pale in comparison to the joy of seeing lives saved and communities transformed!  I can't wait to see where the coming months and years take us!

Brady

You can view our latest RETCo video here.