We asked women social entrepreneurs to tell us about a gift they make that supports a cause, helps save the earth or raises awareness of an important issue. See the full list in our ‘Gifts With a Mission’ Guide. Today we feature:

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Krama Wheel Lavender ‘Toty’ Scarf

Lavender Toty scarf small
Product: Hand-woven Cambodian scarf

Price: $42-46

Website: kramawheel.com

When Roni Sivan traveled with her friends to Southeast Asia three years ago, she ditched the Thai beaches in favor of the vibrant and bustling marketplaces around the Cambodian countryside. She returned home to Austin, Texas, with a backpack full of scarves and an idea to launch her business, Krama Wheel (‘krama’ is Khmer for scarf). Cambodian women hand-weave the gingham scarves at their homes and a portion of each purchase goes to providing a uniform for a child — a mandatory item for Cambodian schools. In effect, buying a scarf supports three causes: the weaver who makes it, the child who receives the uniform, and the seamstress who sews the uniform. The various styles, like Toty pictured here, are named after Cambodian children.

Editors’ Comment: The hand-knotted fringe lends the scarf an urban edge and the lavender color matches with any outfit. The scarf works well on guys or girls, and could make a good gift for your office Secret Santa.

Learn more about Roni’s story here.

Find more gifts with a mission in our complete guide, 12 Holiday Gifts That Give Back.[/box_light]

Read the stories behind other gifts in our guide:

Designing a Huggable Gift for Kids

A Mom Creates an (Almost) Guilt-Free Eggnog

Finding One’s Calling in a Cup of Joe

Arf! A Chocolate Bar That Supports Pet Causes