It has now been 5 years since we took our initial trip to Uganda with bags stuffed full of yarn and overflowing with hopeful excitement. At that point we would have had no way of guessing where we’d be half a decade later, nor would we have wanted to know. Every step of the way has been nothing short of an amazing journey. It has been characterized by our ability to learn, our opportunity to teach, and the wherewithal of our community.
We are proud to stand 5 years later with a further confidence in our vision and more clarity in our impact than ever before. We are consistently humbled by our supporters who have been by our side since the beginning.
Keep scrolling to relive our historic 5th year as an organization
Product
Community
Financials
Media
Social
Impact
Throughout the year we were honored to have the support of individuals and organizations to help share our story. Our founders even found their way onto the pages of the New York Times style magazine.
kkin.tl/nyt_int
In line with our Spring/Summer collection we launched a campaign that brought attention to the items of significance in our lives - 'WHAT WE CARRY'. We interviewed KKi advocates around the the globe, as well as the beneficiaries who make our products, to find out which products were the favorites to wear and make.
kkin.tl/what-we-carryOur goal is to equip individuals with the tools, resources, and knowledge to EMPOWER them to take care of their family both now and in the future. Women in Uganda are creating jobs and supplemental income for their families through the businesses they are starting. They are changing the face of Northern Uganda.
We worked in collaboration with our friends at Vans to create a limited-edition, completely one-of-a-kind shoe. 'the Bixie' featured a crocheted outer panel from our amazing beneficiaries in Uganda, accompanied by the signature of the woman who made them.
People get involved at all kinds of levels with our organization, but perhaps one of our favorite are interns. They commit to volunteering with the organization full-time in the US, Uganda, and Peru – selflessly helping us to empower more people to rise above poverty and spread the word about our work.
We invite our supporters to partner with us in empowerment by writing notes of gratitude and encouragement to the individuals who made their KKi products. These words leave a lasting impact and help build confidence in our beneficiaries
Hey Auma,
So, I buy this hat. At first I bought it because I love hats and this one was rather cute. On the way to the counter at Nordstrom’s I noticed
all the tags and branding and think to myself, this is a lot of fanciness of a knit hat. Then there it was, a hand written name on the inside
and an opportunity to make some acquaintance with the person responsible for its beauty. That gave me goosebumps. What a wonderful idea. Not
only is this hat the vehicle to change the life of the person who made it. It’s also a vehicle to introduce me to the life of a person across
the world making beautiful things I take for granted. This purchase inspired me and I pray your life is positively affected by the graciousness
of your consumers.
- Denin
Dear Eliza,
Thank you so much for my beautiful eisley hat! The things I read about you and how your life has drastically improved are so very inspiring to
me. I’m so happy that you are able to be in a wonderful organization like Krochet Kids. Your kids must be very proud of you, seeing that I am
and I don’t even personally know you. I hope all your dreams come true and that your children will go tot High School and eventually go back to
your family in Puno. I know that you too have succeeded in life. I will think of you every time I wear my hat. Thank you so much and God bless.
Sincerely,
Serina Molano
Dear Winny,
I am so happy after reading this wonderful story. With you and I having so much in common I feel as if this hat almost picked me. I would like to
thank you from the bottom of my heart for the beautifully handcrafted hat. As a student myself I wish your siblings the best in their school and
future endeavors. Keep being a great sister and I think without a doubt that your dream of owning land and having a house will happen! Thank you
for being an inspiration and I hope to turn more of my friends onto your craftsmanship and the stories of the others you work with.
Lakareber Catherine,
I just received my hat in the mail, and I absolutely adore it! You did a really lovely job. I like it so much, I put it on and wore it immediately! :)
As I sit here now, it is amazing to me that I am touching the same yarn that was in your hands probably not long ago. Over space and time, we are
connected in a small way; and it humbles me and warms my heart tremendously.I pray God blesses you abundantly beyond anything you could have ever
imagined; and I hope you are soon able to purchase that plot of land you desire. May the cup of your life overflow with all of God’s greatest
blessings and gifts. Love and (((HUGS))),
*mandie*
Hi Owacgiu Sharon, I received the hat (5207.5) you made and I want to say thank you for making this beautiful piece. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw your signature and to hold such a piece in my own hands, made with the hands of your own, makes me feel a part of your life. I will cherish it always and wish you and your family much love and lots of hugs!!! You and the other woman are an inspiration to us all and I take pride in wearing your hat in honor of you!!
Love Maria
Adele! I have never been so grateful for a gift in my life! Out of all the things I got for my birthday and Christmas this was the best gift because it
was the most meaningful. I am spreading the story to anyone that will listen. I wear the hat everyday, I have a krochet kids tag on my bag and a sticker
on my longboard. I wish the best for you and I truly believe in karma. I believe that if you out good in you get good out. Keep doing what your doing.
Life isn’t about changing the world, its about the impact that you leave on every person you encounter. Your story is an inspiration.
Thank you
- Thomas Drover
Dear Ericka,
Today I received my white scarf that you made. I wanted to thank you personally for this scarf! It is beautiful and I can’t wait for it to get colder so
I can wear it everyday! Your job and work truly inspires me and I am blessed to have received this scarf. You are someone that many can look up to and
admire and you should feel honored. You are changing our lives as well with your outstanding determination and faith. I am blessed to have had this opportunity
to write this letter. Thank you to you and your family. I hope as the days go by that you can remember how happy you made a young college student. Thank you
again and God Bless. God has many adventures in store for you and this is just the beginning. Remember wherever you are, that he may always be with you, through
fear, challenges, and during your strengths. He loves you and your family. God Bless all of you for your gift you made me and all the work you do.
Have a great day! Thank you!
- Jessika Zachary
Hi Ana,
I love my Riley hat. Thank you for the care you put into it. Keep up the hard work. I hope that all of your dreams do come true as a result of it.
(I like spending time in parks, too!)
- John
Dear Grace,
I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful hat. I know that you’ve probably made many of these beanies, but when I wear it I feel as if it is
one out of a million. It is wonderfully made and I wear it with pride knowing that you made it with your precious time and skills. You truly have
a talent and you are going to go far, I know this is merely the beginning for you. Your children are so incredibly fortunate to have you as a mother
and will without a doubt have a better future thanks to you. I wish the best for you and your family. Best of luck for your business, it will thrive!
- Taylor
We work with great retail partners around the country (and world) to help us thoughtfully tell our story to their communities in relevant ways. Thank you retailers!
Krochet Kids Peru celebrated its one-year anniversary in September 2012! We are so proud of how our team navigated its first full year of operation. Both the product and impact created at our program location in Lima was evident and we can't wait to see this continue to grow with your support.
A goal of our organization, as well as a staff value, is to infuse fun into our work and encourage others to do the same. We hope to show the world that it's possible to have great impact while having fun. It takes both. Our friend the Kid President helped us drive this point home.
Take a look inside the compound at Krochet Kids Uganda and meet some of the people behind your favorite products.
We launched our first East Coast pop-up shop during the holiday season. We partnered with Rudy's Barbershop to host a unique shopping experience at their space in the heart of Manhattan.
We holistically invest in people so they can be the ones to have a direct impact on their families and community. Our beneficiaries impact so many more lives as a result of their hard work and education.
This still gives us chills… in December 2012 we won a $500K grant from the American Giving Awards sponsored by Chase Bank. We were humbled by the amazing support we received in this competition, and it helped remind us of the incredible community of people that make our work possible.
Statement of Financial Position |
2011 |
2012 |
||
ASSETS |
||||
Current Assets |
||||
Cash |
622,829 | 444,641 | ||
Accounts Receivable |
418,695 | 871,659 | ||
Inventory |
288,146 | 266,278 | ||
Fixed Assets |
12,359 | 14,461 | ||
TOTAL ASSETS |
1,342,029 |
1,597,039 |
||
LIABILITIES & EQUITY |
||||
Current Liabilities |
||||
Accounts Payable |
109,218 | 99,618 | ||
Line of Credit |
- | 240,000 | ||
Other Current Liabilities |
5,501 | 53,962 | ||
Equity |
1,227,310 | 1,203,459 | ||
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY |
1,342,029 |
1,597,039 |
||
Statement of Activities |
||||
INCOME |
||||
Product Sales |
1,974,193 | 86% | 1,511,763 | 65% |
Donations |
314,388 | 14% | 268,094 | 11% |
Grants |
- | 500,000 | 21% | |
Misc. Income |
27 | 56,006 | 2% | |
TOTAL INCOME |
2,288,608 |
2,335,863 |
||
EXPENSE |
||||
Uganda Program Operations |
280,904 | 20% | 320,983 | 14% |
Peru Program Operations |
78,506 | 6% | 311,465 | 13% |
Beneficiary Wages/Production |
575,896 | 41% | 840,149 | 36% |
Product Distribution USA |
298,044 | 21% | 627,693 | 27% |
TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSE |
1,233,350 |
88% |
2,100,290 |
89% |
Administration |
151,002 | 11% | 240,689 | 10% |
Fundraising |
12,159 | 1% | 18,700 | 1% |
TOTAL EXPENSE |
1,396,511 |
2,359,679 |
||
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS |
892,097 |
(23,816) |
||
NET ASSETS : BEGINNING OF YEAR |
390,005 |
1,227,310 |
||
NET ASSETS : END OF YEAR |
1,282,102 |
1,203,494 |
