How A Simple Crochet Hat Changed The Face Of Poverty

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How A Simple Crochet Hat Changed The Face Of Poverty

Fashion & Beauty Editor
On Jan 20, 2012

It wasn't long after a couple of high school friends learned how to crochet that they were set on changing the lives of Ugandan women by ending the strenuous cycle of poverty. Sound simple? It is.

Travis Hartanov, Stewart Ramsey and Kohl Crecelius are the 26-year-old co-founders of Krochet Kids International, a nonprofit company that began with the idea that teaching women in a Ugandan compound how to crochet would provide them with a sustainable source of income and, in turn, empower the impoverished. Their success not only lends itself to an inspiring tag line - "Buy A Hat, Change A Life" - but is also a source of motivation. I caught up with Kohl, the company's CEO, to find out more about how a basic skill like crocheting winter hats could power a nation. Check out their story below.

When I first saw the commercial for Krochet Kids, I was a bit surprised three men were behind it. What made you and your brother want to learn how to crochet?
We all grew up in the Northwest and loved skiing and snowboarding. It was not only fun to design and create cool headwear, but it also happened to be economical and functional. At that time we even started a business selling custom hats we would make to friends and family. It was actually our local newspaper that established our name as the "Krochet Kids."

What exactly was your impetus to teach crocheting overseas, rather than just donate time or money?
Each of us had, at different times, the opportunity to travel and volunteer our time in developing countries. We always had a desire to situate ourselves in the midst of the communities we wanted to help and to be hands on. We also felt like we had a unique idea for creating sustainable and lasting change and we wanted to offer ourselves, not just our resources. By immersing ourselves in it we were able to have meaningful dialogue that lead to focused action.

krochet kids

Were the ladies of Uganda and Peru open to the idea or did it take any convincing?
Our goal is to work with local staff and organizations that can help us communicate to our beneficiaries the opportunity of participating in our programs. We go through an intensive process to identify those individuals that are most in need and that could benefit the most from our programs. It is through this process that we eliminate the need for convincing and effectively help those that need help.

How exactly has this changed their every day life? Their kids' lives?
In more ways than I could write in this short article. First and foremost, the opportunity to earn a fair and consistent wage enables these ladies to not only provide adequate food for their families, but they are also able to send their children to school and even save for their future. Moreover, with the education and mentorship provided to them they are planning for future careers they will be able to have in the future. Our goal is to empower individuals to the point where they are self-reliant and providing for themselves through careers outside our programs. What this means is healthy and educated mothers and families both now and sustainably into the future.

Do you see KKi branching out from clothing to other means of sustainable business?
We believe there is still a lot we can do within fashion accessories and apparel, and we seek to remain focused on that for now. We want to keep working hard to provide opportunities for people to be empowered and for others to get involved through the expression of their purchases and clothes they wear.

How has the business model changed, if all, since you started KKi?
We are a learning organization and are constantly refining and tuning the work that we do to ensure that it is the most effective. Overall, the heart for what we do and how we do it hasn't changed much at all. We are a group of friends pursuing our passions and doing our very best to support the growth and development of communities living in tough situations around the globe.

Has KKi turned out as you had imagined? Would you change anything?
I didn't know what to imagine and I still don't. We continue to dream big and take steps toward improvement everyday. I wouldn't change a thing. I think it's important to point out that every product is hand-signed by the lady that made it. By going onto our website you can view the profile of the lady that made your hat and even write her a note of encouragement or thanks. In this way everyone gets to take part in empowerment by helping to instill confidence and hope in women that have been isolated and destitute. It's a very powerful connection that is made!