Gracie Brave + Artisan Global: Establishing Hope in Uganda
For the Ugandan community, a battle has existed over control and leadership, spanning generations. With battle lines drawn, the casualties and suffering have been great; from both the physical to the mental cost to its inherent citizens. However, time and patience has led to a new opportunity to diminish warfare and allow for potential peace to open the doors to a more stabile future.
Today, the country is working hard to re-establish itself as a post-conflict nation, and putting the past tolls of warfare behind it. With re-newed hope by the people of Uganda, caring organizations like Artisan Global and the Gracie Brave Foundation are lending a hand in developing opportunities for a sustainable economic chapter.
Artisan Global is a non-profit creative agency that establishes workspaces for Ugandan citizens so they might be educated on marketable and craftsmanship skills that will allow individuals to support their families and further their communities economy at a localized level. With a purpose derived from Gracie Brave’s fictional character “Ellie the Elephant,” local artisans are hand crafting these unique, bright and bold stuffed toys.
Ellie the Elephant is a beautifully central part of Gracie’s story in the children’s Book “Gracie Brave,” authored by licensed therapist Kate Eldean and co-author Pam Krikke (learn more). This toy is a security “friend” that Gracie holds on to as she bravely ventures into the world, learning how to navigate her social struggles stemming from childhood depression. Eldean (Kate), having travelled to Uganda on multiple occasions found collaborating with the local Uganda community an important priority.
Kate on Uganda: “My five trips to Rwanda and Uganda have been some of the most heart-wrenching as well as rewarding experiences in my life. I definitely left a piece of my heart in those countries and cannot wait to return.”
A story told in a whimsical manner with stunning illustrations, Gracie’s difficulties are very relatable to the Ugandan plight. Overcoming the seeming limitations that Ugandans have been presented with, Artisan Global and the Gracie Brave Foundation have built an equally symbiotic and symbolic partnership, both introducing jobs and mental health into the Ugandan community through Gracie’s story. As mental illness often goes unaddressed in many communities, the prevalence and destruction of this is even greater in a post-conflict country where families have experienced inexplicable strife. Through a boldly imaginative story highlighting adventure and uplifting but realistic experiences, “Gracie Brave” can inspire children and families right in Uganda and across the globe to achieve great things or simply embrace being themselves.
One more key aspect to acknowledge regarding the Gracie Brave + Artisan Global partnership, is that ALL profits from purchases of Ellie the Elephant are donated to the 100% non-profit Gracie Brave Foundation; an organization dedicated to removing the stigma of mental illness as it pertains to children and families through education and leadership. (Learn more at GracieBrave.org).
Authored by Christina Auer. Distributed by Gracie Brave LLC.