Above Rubies

Values

Our Story

After seeing first hand the pressure that single mothers face in the Philippines, Angela Hughes and her daughter started a livelihood project to provide work security, dignity and hope to women faced with challenging life circumstances.

They train women in jewellery-making and crochet skills and sell their products in retail stores and local markets in a number of countries. 

“We love seeing the smiles of people when they see the work of our six amazing artisans and the joy and security that this work brings for the ladies in the Philippines.”

Above Rubies’ crochet products are all made of 100% locally-sourced cotton, with polyester fill inside if needed. 

Life is tough as a single mother or widow in the Philippines and these women are very vulnerable. Because there is often no way to support their families, many women remain in toxic family situations.

Above Rubies provides artisans with a stable, dependable income and many other benefits: 

• Safe working conditions

• Annual and sick leave 

• Parental leave to tend to children's needs

• Retirement fund

• Medical insurance 

• Savings scheme

The security that this brings is life-changing. 

“The personal transformation and confidence that comes as women work at Above Rubies speaks volumes. We see women with hope who can see a bright future for themselves and for their children.”

The Above Rubie artisans also make decisions on how to help other single mothers in the city of Baguio. They give rice regularly to help others from the profits and run events to encourage other women and help them with food. They also run training sessions in crochet.

Some of the Above Rubies product range is stocked in New Zealand at:

• Village People, Waihi Beach

• Beadazzle, Birkenhead, Auckland

• Fairplay, Auckland

You can also find them at markets around the country, particularly in Auckland.