Program Launch: Giving Women Access to Shea Butter Fair Trade
Project Overview
The Giving Exchange is proud to partner with LeitMotif, a Kenyan social enterprise committed to ethical sourcing and community empowerment. This project focuses on the raw shea butter trade, working directly with women producers in rural Uganda. By paying above-market rates for their goods, LeitMotif ensures dignity, sustainability, and long-term income generation for some of the most marginalized actors in the value chain.
This initiative will directly impact over 40 women producers by providing them with improved equipment, technical training, and access to fair trade markets. Beyond the producers themselves, the project is expected to benefit over 200 community members, including children and families. Reinvestments from profits will support local education, health, and sanitation by providing sanitary pads, school supplies, and sports equipment to families of local school children.
Mission
Leitmotif’s mission is to become the number one African-owned social enterprise promoting sustainable development and fair-trade opportunities for underserved communities. This project aligns with The Giving Exchange’s broader mission to implement self-sustaining, community-led programs.
Together, TGE and LeitMotif aim to:
● Empower women producers with tools, skills, and market access
● Promote gender-inclusive economic development
● Support ethical trade practices that ensure long-term income and dignity
● Strengthen families and communities through targeted reinvestment in health and education
By focusing on low-value chain actors and fair pricing, this initiative offers a blueprint for inclusive, equitable trade.
Project Measurements
Leitmotif has committed to regular reporting and data-sharing with The Giving Exchange to track the project’s progress.
Key Indicators of Success:
Number of women producers onboarded and supported
Volume of shea butter goods produced and sold
Percentage increase in prices paid above local market rates
Monthly income increases per producer
This program is a model of ethical trade that centers women, promotes dignity, and uplifts entire communities. Together, The Giving Exchange and Leitmotif are growing lasting impact from the ground up.
Each item made by Kithoma’s youth represents progress: building skills, creating opportunity, and strengthening their communities.