1. Women's Empowerment and Economic Opportunity: SAWA SAWA empowers artisan women in Kenya by providing sustainable livelihoods through traditional craftsmanship. The organization helps these women earn a fair income, develop entrepreneurial skills, and achieve financial independence.
2. Education and Youth Development: SAWA SAWA is dedicated to empowering the next generation, particularly through initiatives focused on the African girl child. The organization supports menstrual hygiene education and provides hygiene kits, ensuring girls have the dignity, privacy, and resources to stay in school.
3. Sustainable and Ethical Production: The brand is committed to eco-friendly, sustainable practices. By using biodegradable plant fibers like sisal and locally sourced materials, SAWA SAWA promotes circular economy principles and ethical production, minimizing environmental impact.
4. Community Development: SAWA SAWA works closely with local communities, building strong partnerships with artisans, schools, and local organizations. This community-driven approach ensures that their initiatives are aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people they serve.
5. Cultural Preservation: By celebrating and modernizing traditional Kenyan weaving techniques, SAWA SAWA preserves age-old crafts and promotes cultural heritage, offering unique, high-quality, handcrafted products to a global market.
6. Environmental Stewardship: Inspired by ancestral practices of living in harmony with nature, SAWA SAWA focuses on sustainability in every aspect of its operations, from sourcing raw materials responsibly to promoting slow fashion and waste reduction.
These impact areas align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as gender equality, quality education, decent work, responsible consumption and production, and life on land.