Our Partners in African Sustainability
program allocates a $5 donation for every wholesale order placed, and
you get to choose which program we will donate to on your behalf.
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Since August 2006, we've donated:
$2236.00 to the
Harambee Centre
$1356.00 to
Global Partners
$1143.00 to
Aid to Artisans
This year, we are focusing our fundraising efforts on two very important organizations:
Harambee Centre
Makindu Children's Program
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Makindu
Children's
Program
For years, Swahili Imports has enjoyed an informal alliance with the Makindu Children's Program, based here in our home state of Oregon.
In addition to sending volunteers to help out at the children's center in Makindu, Kenya, we've trained Makindu community members in crafts creation and export and provided free container space for Makindu fundraising products.
This year, we're taking our relationship with Makindu to another level by adding the program as one of our Partners in African Sustainability.
Please visit our website to learn more about this unique sustainable community-based orphan care program.
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TRADE SHOW FORECAST
California Gift Show
January 18-21, 2008
World Style, Kentia Hall
Booths 901-903-905
San Francisco International Gift Fair
Museum Source, Moscone North
Booths 7301-7303
New York
International Gift Fair
January 26-29, 2008
Handmade, Level 1
Booths 5125-5127 |
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 HARVESTCOLORSRound out autumn displays with the warm colors and rich textures of Africa's natural materials
From
banana fiber animals to hand painted decorative gourds, we have an
extensive selection of new and old handmade home decor accessories to
bring a touch of Africa to autumnal decorating schemes.
Visit our website today to find that perfect finishing piece your customers are seeking for their autumn decor.
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 We're now FTF members!Swahili Imports recently joined the effort to promote fair trade as the positive choice for consumers.
We've
been trading fairly in Africa for over a decade, but this year we took
a big step in accountability: we gained
membership in the Fair Trade Federation.
Our alliance
with this vital organization helps us further advance the goal of sustainable fair trade between African artisans and North
American consumers.
Ever wonder what qualifies a fair trade company? We work to:
· Provide fair wages to our artisan workers
· Create products from renewable and recycled materials
· Encourage artisan education and advancement
· Educate consumers on the benefit of fairly traded goods
When
you buy Swahili Imports products, you make a conscious choice to
support positive growth in developing African nations. You prioritize
making a difference in the lives of creative people over inflated
profit margins, so you set a great example of fair trade purchasing for
your customers to follow.
To
celebrate our FTF acceptance, we're offering an online discount to
stores with Fair Trade Federation membership. To claim a 5% discount on
regular
priced merchandise, use the code FTFMEM during online checkout.
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 Shipping season has begun
Shipments from Kenya, Mozambique, Mali, South Africa and Haiti have arrived!
We were so happy to see many of you at the California, San Francisco and New York gift shows, and we hope you enjoyed perusing all of the lovely new items available this season both at the show and in our What's New section online.
We have now received our new items from Kenya and Mozambique, and we were pleasantly surprised by a shipment of bowls from Haiti. If you had backorders for these items from orders past, expect your backordered merchandise to begin arriving soon.
We've also received textiles from Mali and new cards from South Africa, and we expect to receive our new Rwandan peace baskets soon. Check in on our website periodically to view all the new in-stock items available to fill your shelves during the upcoming holiday season!
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 Deck out a peaceful tree with
Rwandan Peace Basket
holiday ornaments
There are many beautiful things about these handmade Rwandan peace basket ornaments, the best being the simple juxtaposition of the words. As Rwanda strives for a peaceful existence after the atrocities of the 90s, these baskets represent more than shiny glass balls ever could.
We imagine them dotting a Christmas tree or hanging gaily from a doorway, filling the holidays with subtle little colorful reminders that goodwill and peace among men should never be taken for granted.
Watch our website for the arrival of these and other African ornaments as you plan your holiday purchase orders. We also have some lovely new note cards from South Africa that add just the right touch to handmade African gifts.
As we all gear up for the holiday season, please remember that shipping for holiday delivery ends on December 15. We always encourage ordering early to ensure we have your desired merchandise in stock.
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 Hello Kate!
Kate is now managing
our office after Kiley's departure for graduate school. She's the
friendly voice on the phone ready to help with ordering, shipping and
invoicing issues.
We trust you will all make Kate feel welcome as she learns the ropes here at Swahili.
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Thank you for making Swahili Imports a business of good
When
we look back over the past twelve years, we're amazed by how much
Swahili Imports has grown and changed. With every season that passes,
we meet so many incredible new buyers from a variety of regions, and
every one of you shares a suggestion to help us improve our product
selection, our customer service, our online presence and our
accountability as a company dedicated to creating positive, lasting
change in Africa.
Thank
you for continuing to honor African artisans with your purchases, and
please feel free to share ways we can make Swahili Imports better. You
can call us any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific time at (541)
684-0688, or email us individually at the addresses below:
Leslie Mittelberg (founder, artisan network, design): leslie@swahili-imports.com
Papa Awori (sales, gift shows): papa@swahili-imports.com
Percy Appau (product design): percy@swahili-imports.com
Darla Robbins (online sales and development, graphic design): darla@swahili-imports.com
Kate Schultz (account information, invoicing, shipping): kate@swahili-imports.com
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