Uganda Crafts 2000 Ltd.

Uganda Crafts is an organization managed by disadvantaged people that helps disadvantaged people. Uganda Crafts markets crafts for artisans and provides training in quality control, design and marketing. The organization also owns a retail store that provides employment for people with physical disabilities. One of the missions of Uganda Crafts is to provide hope to disabled people, youth and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. In addition to training, employees receive health benefits, emergency loans and transportation. Uganda Crafts employs approximately 300 artisans in five workshops or cooperatives, 85 percent of them women.

Recently Uganda Crafts purchased an 85-acre plot of land where they plan to build Uganda Crafts Village. The center will be used mainly to teach youth with disabilities about income generation. Many of these young people have now successfully started their own businesses. In June 2000 Uganda Crafts became a privately held organization and took the name Uganda Crafts 2000 Ltd. In 2007 Uganda Crafts became a member of IFAT, the International Fair Trade Association.

Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Uganda Crafts since 1995. Ten Thousand Villages purchases Ugandan-style woven disi and raffia baskets from Uganda Crafts.