Our Story

Co-founder Dyan Larmey moved with her family to Ethiopia in 2002 to help grow Young Life Africa.  She also collaborated to launch a fair trade, handcrafted textile company in Addis Ababa.  Jill Morley, co-founder, made her first trip to Ethiopia in 2004 and Karama began.  An LLC was formed in 2007 and Karama products were sold primarily through home parties and events.

Karama became a 501c3 in 2011 and continued adding partnerships with artisans in more countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Malawi.  We incorporated new items including baskets, soaps, paper products, children's gifts and textiles to our product line.

A labor of love, Karama opened our boutique in Evansville, Indiana in 2013.  It's a place where volunteers gather around the table, add finishing touches to products, laugh and learn together, package and fulfill orders and grow the Swirl of Good.  

Karama became Karama Collection in 2015 and launched a wholesale line of leather bags, totes and accessories, home goods and hammered brass and horn jewelry.  The board and staff grew skills and capacity.  

Trips to visit artisans in Africa and Haiti connect hearts and minds and help develop a strong line of artistically handmade products, including Christmas ornaments and horn trays.

In this challenging season, we focus on our core aims of providing dignified work to artisans in Africa and Haiti making beautiful, handmade products and using our proceeds to support teens in Africa and Haiti through Young Life outreach camps.  We hope you'll join us in sharing dignity through the Swirl of Good.