TRADE SHOW SCHEDULE
San Francisco International
Gift Fair
January 26-29, 2008
Museum Source, Moscone North
Booths 7301-7303
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New York
International Gift Fair
February 1-5, 2008
Handmade, Level 1
Booths 5125-5127
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Natural Products
Expo West
March 14-16, 2008
Anaheim Convention Center, Hall E
Booths 5371-5373
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CUSTOMER
SERVICE
BY MARY
As we fill show orders during the weeks ahead, you may have a chance to speak with our new customer service manager, Mary Spurgeon.
Mary has joined our team to help us serve you better with timely, high quality customer service.
If you have questions about your order, feel free to email Mary at mary@swahili-imports.com.
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A BRAND NEW
SWAHILI TOTO!
Jason, Mars and I are very proud to announce the pending birth of our newest family member, Rhys Alexander.
Rhys will be our second Swahili baby and, in true African fashion, will join me back in the office following a month's maternity leave.
Should you need my assistance during the next month, please feel free to contact Leslie, Kate, Mary or Kiley in my stead.
--Darla
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| s KENYAN ARTISANS PREVAIL THROUGH CIVIL UNREST
Over the past 15 years, we've grown accustomed to peaceful coexistence among Kenya's varied tribes. Our artisans--who hail from many tribes across Kenya--have proudly shown that cooperation between varying people groups can encourage positive economic and social growth for all involved without compromising each tribe's unique culture.
BAD NEWS FROM ABROAD. As we all unfortunately discovered in the days following Kenya's December 28, 2007 presidential election, that cooperative spirit is not felt universally across the nation. After hearing accounts of tragic brutality erupting between Luos and Kikuyus on each side of the alleged rigged election controversy, we may have quickly surmised that even one of the "most developed" of African nations was still only steps away from the devastating civil chaos and economic ruin that have claimed so many lives across Africa in the past century.
HASTY CONCLUSIONS. Fortunately, that conclusion would be hasty and ill-conceived. In the days following the outbreak of massacres and looting, our artisans began to respond to our emails and phone calls with a more optimistic picture of the terrible scene playing out before them than we were hearing on the nightly news. While mourning the needless loss of the lives of their countrymen and affirming the tentative nature of their personal safety, most of our artisans were quick to remind us that they had not lost hope in Kenya's democratic process, and that they were confident that normalcy would soon return. A week after the election, John K. of Nairobi wrote, "All is going well, and we hope our leaders will get the solutions we are yearning for."
BACK TO WORK. Showing far more resolve than we dared to expect, our Kenyan artisans returned to work as soon as the imminent danger to their lives had passed. Needless murders are still occuring in some rural areas and urban slums, too many communications and railroad lines have been compromised by looters, and seaports are barely moving shipments out, but the majority of our artisans are quick to assure us that many Kenyans are not being bullied away from stability by unrest, instead remaining steadfast in their quest for a peaceful future by resuming their lives and hoping for the best.
THE LONG WALK. On this side of the ocean, we feel limited in the amount of support that we can offer our Kenyan brethren, but with their help, we are remembering that the walk towards peace is never short or easy. The obstacles that arise along the way cannot take our focus from our mutual goal: to create a network of exchange that enriches all involved while recognizing the value of our unique cultures. If orders take a few months longer to fill than usual because containers are sitting idle in backed-up ports, we remain more committed than ever to our hard-working artisans and to the future that we envision together.
THE VALUE OF PATIENCE. Though you may never meet face to face, the unspoken charter that exists between African artisans and buyers like you who value the work of their hands exemplifies our ideal of cultural coalescence. This incredible merging of like minds forms the heart of our work at Swahili Imports, so on behalf of our artisans, thank you for your concern for the beautiful people of Kenya who tender their creativity in exchange for a prosperous future for their families. Your patience and understanding during this time of trial in Kenya means the world to so many artisans.
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We are so excited to announce the return of our beautiful handcrafted South African wild olivewood and teak salad bowls.
Discontinued for several years due to personal issues in the lives of the producers, these exquisite bowls are now available for viewing in our show booths, and will be online within the next few weeks.
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 NEW!
PRODUCTS FROM SENEGAL
Thanks to an invitation from Aid to Artisans, Leslie had a chance to create some fabulous new products with artisans in the West African nation of Senegal.
The new line is comprised of beautiful storage baskets crafted from recycled prayer mats, leather and natural fibers, as well as personal accessories like silver pendants featuring whimsical African figures done in reverse glass painting.
Drop by our booths at the New York, San Francisco or Expo West gift shows to check out these gorgeous new must-haves!
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Thanks for making Swahili Imports a business of good.
When
we look back over the past fifteen 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
Mary Spurgeon (customer service): mary@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
Kiley Gwynn (accounts payable/receivable, Net 30 approval): kiley@swahili-imports.com
Kate Schultz (reception, invoicing, shipping): kate@swahili-imports.com
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