A note from our founder....
I was born and raised in Kenya, where I watched women carry much of the responsibility for raising families, managing households, and holding communities together, often with limited economic opportunities of their own. Even as a child, I was struck by the contrast between the incredible talent, resilience, and creativity of the women around me and the poverty many still faced.
When I moved to the United States, I wanted to stay connected to home. I asked my mother, a schoolteacher in Kenya, to purchase a few handmade baskets and crafts from local artisans. What started as a small gesture quickly became something much bigger. The artisans kept returning, often walking long distances to bring their work because they finally had a buyer. I saw firsthand how even modest market access could create meaningful economic opportunity. At the time, I had a vision of connecting artisan women to global markets, but I had no idea how to build it.
My leadership journey has been defined by learning. I took jobs to invest time, energy, and resources into building SAWA SAWA. I learned about nonprofit leadership, fundraising, e-commerce, marketing, retail partnerships, logistics, governance, and community development. Along the way, I built relationships with artisans, donors, volunteers, board members, conservation partners, and retail organizations who believed in the mission.
What began with a handful of artisans has grown into partnerships with more than 1,125 artisan women across Kenya. Together, we have created income opportunities, expanded access to menstrual health resources, supported conservation initiatives, and preserved generations-old craftsmanship.
Key milestones along my journey include participating in Amazon's Black Business Accelerator, Workshop at Macy's, being recognized as KXAN's Remarkable Woman of Central Texas, and receiving the Austin Woman Way Maker Award. While these recognitions are meaningful, I am most proud of the trust we have built within the communities we serve and the opportunities we have helped create.
Today, my leadership is grounded in the belief that those closest to a problem are closest to the solution. My role is to listen, build partnerships, create opportunities, and help communities unlock their own potential. I am excited to continue growing as a leader while helping SAWA SAWA scale its impact and create opportunities for even more women and families in the years ahead.
