Inclusivity And Accessibility Guide Our Path
“Nothing about us without us” is the principle of our work. Making society more inclusive for people with disabilities is a challenge, as is working on the grassroots level with vulnerable groups. Our goal is that we include persons with disabilities in all levels of our business and decision-making.
SERA HELSINKI’s Impact 2020- 2021
We operate to create radical empowerment; since 2016, we have driven change for a more inclusive and accessible society. Here’s what SERA HELSINKI has achieved so far with our business of good-doing rugs:
Unique inclusion enabler
160 artisans trained in Addis Ababa
16 weavers (of which nine are women) in Asfa
20 spinners, mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Fenaid
30 spinners, HIV positive female with disabilities in Addis Ababa
16 disabled spinners (of which nine are women), rural village of Debre Birhan
150 disabled spinners or shepherds, mostly women in rural villages of Mahal Meda & Tsehay Sena
150 disabled spinners and shepherds, mostly women in the rural village of Molale
Total: We have generated living for 542 persons*
Indirectly: We have influenced the lives of 2168 persons.
Also, hundreds of individual households in rural areas where women spin thread. Dozens of shepherds herding sheep.
* An estimate of the people involved in the project may vary depending on the project’s duration and nature.
**Ethiopian families have an average of 4 children.
Design and aesthetics create ethics
Our designers create timeless, lasting, and functional products that serve as a tool for creating a more inclusive future. SERA HELSINKI’s ethical and empowering approach equals lasting design combined with traditional crafting methods.
2*3 m knotted rug
One 2*3 m knotted rug requires the teamwork of five artisans for one month.
One 2*3 m knotted rug = 42 kg of wool thread and 6 kg of cotton warp = 48 kg.
One m² of woven rug = 7 kg of wool thread and 1 kg of cotton warp
2*3 m woven rug
One 2*3 m woven rug requires the teamwork of two artisans for one week.
One 2*3 m woven rug = 6 kg of wool thread and 6 kg of cotton warp = 12 kg
One m² of woven rug = 1 kg of wool thread and 1 kg of cotton warp
Our environmental impact
Our rug production uses traditional and organic methods without electricity or harmful chemicals. Talented artisans craft our rugs from pure and natural sheep wool thread, which is entirely handmade without any electricity or machines. Animals are never harmed during the making of our wool rugs. Our thread-making process does not include any chemicals, bleaches, or dyes; rugs’ colors are natural lambswool colors. We use only lukewarm water and soap to clean any impurities. The resulting thread is as organic as it can be.
At the moment, the rug-knotting process creates cutting waste for the excess wool thread. Because natural resources are precious, we are looking for a partner that could re-spin the cutting waste into recycled thread.
read more about our processOur Shepherds
The wool of the rugs originates from the highlands of Ethiopia. The climate is cool in these regions, and therefore the villages have long traditions using wool. The farmers own the sheep and treat them with the greatest respect. The sheep roam freely in nature and are looked after by disabled shepherds. Often the mothers of the families spin wool thread from their sheep.
learn more about our shepherds
Our Thread-makers
Our wool thread is entirely handmade by using ancient traditions in the highlands of Ethiopia. These villages are rural and very poor. Spinning is often a side income, making it possible to raise artisans and their families above extreme poverty.
learn more about our thread-makersOur Weavers
In 2016 SERA HELSINKI started with eight female weavers. We trained these women weaving techniques, how to understand geometrics and how to measure. Currently, these eight women have trained about 160 artisans in Addis Ababa. SERA HELSINKI has several workshops in the city; some operate as NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and some private businesses. Every SERA HELSINKI rug is a result of teamwork. If one person is sighted, she can lead those that might be visually impaired.
learn more about our weavers
World Fair Trade Organization Certified
All SERA HELSINKI towels have the WFTO certificate, and their dyes are AZO-free and REACH-certified. WFTO Guarantee System verifies that SERA HELSINKI’s subcontractor that manufactures our towels is a Fair Trade Enterprise, which means that we pioneer a business model that puts people and the planet first.
explore our towels