Amani ya Juu (Amani) means higher peace in Swahili. Amani is a fair trade sewing and training program for marginalized women in Africa. Women from many African nations and cultures are learning to work together through a peace that transcends cultural and ethnic differences. Amani is committed to holistic development. Women gain experience in purchasing, bookkeeping, stitching, quality control, management, and design. Emphasis is placed on ethical business practices and harmonious relationships with people of different backgrounds. The wide selection of high-quality handbags, home & kitchen décor, jewelry, and children’s items are made out of local African materials.
Amani Kenya was the first Amani ya Juu center. Since 1996, Amani has expanded to five additional countries -- Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Liberia and the US. Amani Kenya has grown to employ over 100 women. These women are primarily refugees fleeing civil conflict in neighboring countries, or single mothers living in nearby slums. The Amani Kenya center is nearing its 18th birthday. Renovations are needed in order to maintain the beautiful facility that provides women with dignity and peace on a daily basis. On some days, hundreds of customers (mainly NGOs and expats) visit Amani Kenya since it has become a model of social economic development. A clean, renovated center will provide a space that reflects the dignity that everyone---seamstresses, staff and visitors of Amani Kenya---deserves.
Adventure Life has generously agreed to fund several of our renovation projects! Check out some before shots below.
Women in the distribution room gathering their materials for the day.
The distribution floor needs new carpet!
Our Distribution Room before the new carpet.
The ladies stitching products in the production room.
The walls of our Production Room, where the ladies stitch, are in need of fresh paint!
Lucy and Jerita in the tie-and-dye shed.
Our tie-and-dye shed is in need of an upgrade.
Our shop, where customers come to buy products made by Amani women.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.