Last week, I shared about how this July I’m joining a group of bloggers to travel to Rwanda with Noonday Collection and International Justice Mission.
This is exciting and a completely new territory for me and Enjoying the Small Things, and yet so many things about this trip don’t feel new at all. The themes this trip embraces—women empowerment, style and fashion, justice, business partnership and social good—well, those have all popped up on the blog here before. But now, all in one place—and in Rwanda.
A little more about why I said yes to this trip:
As a blogger with a large group of readers, I get asked to partner with businesses a lot. Some of these work out to be a great fit, a lot of them don’t. Ultimately, I’m interested in things that fit with my beliefs, my interests, my tastes and my loves. Noonday fits that for me. I love the style of their products, and I love the way they’re using their business to empower women both internationally and here in the United States. I’ve learned about the work they are doing, I’ve hosted a Noonday trunk show in my home, I’ve worn their jewelry, and I’ve come to know Noonday’s founders on a personal basis. I’m interested and inspired by the passion I see—not to swoop in and save people, but to take all that is already in place—talent, women, economic and social needs and determination—and to connect those dots to create good.
Blogging comes with opportunities, the most significant–a voice that can reach a lot of people. I don’t ever take that for granted. I’ve been asked to lend my voice to this trip not to make you feel sorry for anyone or donate money or to tell sad stories of poverty but rather to be part of an empowerment movement. It’s the opposite of tragedy—Noonday Collection is creating wonderful opportunities for women in Rwanda, and these women are now taking care of themselves and their families. We get to design with these women, hear their stories, witness their talents and hearts and connect with them women to women—we’re all the same.
International Justice Mission is co-sponsoring this trip, and we’ll also be learning more about the work that they are doing around the world and how creating economic empowerment, like Noonday is doing, can change the way justice works for the poor.
Are we going to have fun? Absolutely. Are we going to a beautiful country? Yes. Will we laugh and make memories and longtime friends with both the women of Rwanda and the representatives going on this trip? You better believe it.
While the territory might be new for me, everything this trip stands for is part of my heart. I’m excited to learn more about how women are being empowered and how we can play a part in that continual forward global movement.
Noonday has put together a great FAQ to help answer any additional questions about the company’s practices and values. Click here to check it out!









