SOLOHOPE IS BACK IN CAIRO with Emilee Connell-Umanzor at the helm in the storefront where a majority of the products are made by women artisans in Honduras. Connell-Umanzor says she also sells other ethically made items from around the globe.
After living in Honduras for several years, Emilee Connell-Umanzor has returned to her hometown and opened a retail space for the non-profit she started in 2012, SoloHope. The store, located at 817 First Ave. N.E., is open Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All of the products, jewelry, clothing and home goods, are ethically made to reflect the goals of Connell-Umanzor’s non-profit, to help empower women to overcome poverty by renewing hope.
In Honduras, a team of artisans create bangles, earrings, coaster, baskets and more using pine straw and colorful thread. Connell-Umanzor says, “We use things easily resourced in Honduras, and employ the traditional art tweaked for the Western market.”
Other items available come from around the globe.
“The majority of what we sell here is made by our artisans in Honduras,” says Connell-Umanzor. “We also partner with other people who are like-minded.”
For instance, she has bags made in India, pillows from Kenya, and clothing from Nepal and India.
Prices range from $10 to $350 for items in the store, with earrings being among the most popular seller.
For more information and online shopping, visit
solohope.org Connell-Umanzor suggests.
