Words that have been used
to describe the late Honorable Dr. Senedu Gebru include Resistance
fighter, philanthropist, educator, feminist, patriot, author, teacher
and mother. History may
remember her foremost as the first woman elected to Parliament, but her
contributions to this nation were so many and varied, she
could rightly be considered Ethiopia’s Renaissance Woman of the 20th
century.
Although it might seem like more Ethiopians from abroad are moving back to Ethiopia than ever before, it is also true that the much greater outflow of Ethiopians leaving the country in search of better opportunity abroad, continues unabated.
Written by Mina Yirga - Horizon Ethiopia Staff Writer
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Trio Craft Plc. may be fairly new to Ethiopia but it is borne out of a
prior company, Trio Craft Ltd. based in Nairobi, Kenya where it operated with great success for over 20 years. Today, it is one of the
premier handicrafts producers in Ethiopia and maintains a sizable manufacturing facility in the Kadisco area of Addis. With a production
staff of over 60 full time employees, the company produces an array of artisan products including table & bed linens, traditionally themed
clothing with a uniquely modern feel and accessories such as rugs, handbags and scarves. At the center of this company is its founder and
GM, Wzo. Elizabeth Kassa. According to Wzo. Elizabeth, the name of the company – Trio Craft – signifies the three corners of
its foundation; herself, her primary partner (and sister) Aster Kassa and last but not least, God.
Even before moving
to East Africa where the Trio Craft story first began, Elizabeth owned and managed Atlantic Business Center (ABC) a craft and arts center in
West Africa. In addition, her sister Aster who holds advanced degrees in International Relations and business, has traveled across Africa in her
previous career at USAID before joining Trio as the Deputy General Manager and head of Marketing/Sales. Small wonder then that the Trio
Craft of today has in short order emerged as a force to be reckoned with in its industry.
Socially Rooted Beginnings
But there is much more to Trio’s and indeed Elizabeth’s story than
this. In fact one of the more striking aspects of it is how the venture first started in Kenya as a way for Elizabeth – then a
social worker – to help Kenyan women in her neighborhood by teaching them weaving and other related skills so they could make a living for
themselves. Gradually, with the purchase of some equipment to support these efforts, both the size and sophistication of her operations
(and clientele) started to grow. At one point, Elizabeth and Trio Craft Kenya were supplying many hotels and in particular eco lodges with rugs,
bed lines and other accessories due to the high quality of their work and authenticity of their products. Today, there are several such
firms in Kenya operated by many of the same women Elizabeth herself trained. It is a fact that she speaks of with a hint of pride at leaving
behind in Kenya an entire handicrafts industry helping those women who had always been the main beneficiaries of her company.
It seems that Elizabeth’s initial career as a social worker has never been far from her heart after all. Although
Trio Craft Ethiopia is a successful company producing exceptional quality products for both local and foreign consumption, in many ways it is
also the latest manifestation of her philanthropic nature. She still recruits amongst women of low income (although men are welcome too)
and conducts intensive craft skill training sessions to develop existing skills for crafts works from her recruits and give them a chance to
make a better life for themselves. Annually, about 100 people are given handicraft exams to see who has natural talent. Those who excel
are sent off for formal training followed by 8-10 months of on the job training at Trio. Throughout this process, Trio provides tuition
expenses, transportation and pocket money for its recruits to make sure they have the best chance of completing their training. The self
taught Elizabeth takes special care to teach her recruits how to make striking master pieces that are modern and yet in complete harmony with
the cultural balance.
The Ultimate Satisfaction of Balance
Balance
in business and good deeds is perhaps one element of what gives rise to the kind of satisfaction which is the namesake of Trio’s latest
line of artisan products, Ercata. Using the finest organic cotton from regional farmers of Ethiopia, Trio combines ingenuity, creativity
and traditional decorations with subtle interpretation to produce export standard goods. The holistic balance employed from the cutting
room floor to its founder and chief inspiration’s office is exactly the kind of satisfaction the name of the line is meant to
convey…
Meti Yilma is a radio show host, poet, writer, MC, one time tv
personality and a number of other things besides. Including, a top 4 finisher in 2006's Survivor Africa.
Sehin Teferra
is a freelance trainer and consultant with an academic background in
international development and gender equity. She has written since her teens, and invites your comments and
thoughts on her observations.
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There is no question that there is a lot of agricultural investment occurring in Ethiopia right now. The question is how much of that is being initiated by Ethiopians?
Despite a global downturn in real estate prices, it seemed like Ethiopia's market was impervious to it all. But there are signs which point to an inevitable downturn in the near future. Just how far down prices will go is anybody's guess.
After emigrating abroad, going to school and then opening a successful business in London, it only took a vacation to Tewodros Tadesse's hometown of Hawassa to convince him to leave everything behind and move back once and for all.
ESAI celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Horizon Ethiopia would like to congratulate them on their achievements through the years and wishes them another decade and more of continued success.
