African Woodsmoke

Last night we braaied for our South African heritage, culture and traditions with a group of South Africans in DC.  We were officially the first South Africans to celebrate Heritage Day and cooked up some awesome boerewors.

We have some awesome new fall scarves in.  To purchase go HERE. Check them out here:

Earlier this year we had a goal to sell 258 scarves in 2 months to help to educate one of Miriam Kamanthe’s sons, Christopher.  With your help we far exceeded this goal and gave Christopher the chance to go to school for one year.  Unfortunately, I could not make it to Kenya to hand over the money to Miriam because of extremely high airline prices.  We were able to get her the money through some very good friends that live in Kenya though.  Miriam was ecstatic to say the least.

Education is the ultimate gift that you can give in Africa.  Families struggle to afford the high cost of education in Kenya and receive very little government subsidy.  Education gives hope for a brighter future.  Without an education there is very little chance to succeed in life especially when jobs are not as prevalent as they are in the US.  THANK YOU so much for helping change the life of this family in Africa.

Our new goal kicks off today and that is to educate Dorothy, Miriam’s second child for a year.  Our goal is to sell 258 scarves by the end of August to educate Dorothy for a year.  Purchase a scarf HERE and help to change the life of a family in Africa.

Christopher & Miriam

Dorothy & Miriam (Miriam is wearing a scarf on her head)

Kweri (cheers),

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke

To kick off our move to Washington DC and the start of the World Cup, Woodsmoke is having a premier event on the breathtaking rooftop of the Newseum Residences.

You are invited to an exclusive event that celebrates Woodsmoke’s move to DC and the start of the World Cup in South Africa. Sample boutique South African wine, savor continental African cuisine, and enjoy rare African art from Woodsmoke. The night will showcase the greatest of African creativity, and our commitment to Africa’s prosperous future.  Please spread the word to anyone who you think would be interested in attending.

Cheers,

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke

A great company that I have been following lately is called charity: water.  They are providing clean drinking water to millions of people around the world.  What really sticks with me is that they give 100% of your donation to building wells; all their operational costs are funded by a private donor group.  Clean drinking water is the number one cause of disease in third world countries.  I love to see companies that are doing meaningful work and providing sustainable solutions for the poor – this is one of them.  Here is a video about a company that really touched me:

The story of charity: water – The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Cheers,

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke

Miriam Kamanthe is a fellow mother from Nairobi, Kenya.  She has three amazing children and through your help we have helped to educate one of Miriam’s children for a year in Kenya.  In Africa education is not paid for by the Government and many mothers in Kenya struggle to afford the many costs of sending their children to school.  Meet Miriam HERE.

Through YOUR help we have educated one of Miriam’s children for a year.  For every 258 scarves purchased we send one child to school in Africa for one year. Miriam has another two children that she would like send to school but she cannot afford the many costs associated with school fees.  This Mothers Day we are stepping in and pledging to help support her.  We pledge to sell 516 (258 x 2) scarves by July 25 to send Miriam’s two children to school.  This Mothers Day give the ultimate gift to another mother by helping to put her children through school.  To purchase a scarf and change the lives of two children in Africa click HERE.

Here is my speech from African Gathering Conference yesterday where I spoke about how Woodsmoke was started and how to use storytelling in your marketing through social media platforms.

African Gathering Speech Sean Coetzee from Sean Coetzee on Vimeo.

Sean Coetzee – Woodsmoke from Africa Gathering on Vimeo.

Cheers,

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke

Akon, Keri Hilson, and the Soweto Gospel Choir have come together and composed an amazing song called “Oh Africa.”  It is a charity single aimed at helping to improve the lives of underprivileged youth in Africa.  The song also preempts the soccer world cup in South Africa this year.  Here is the music video to enjoy — I love it!  It is amazing that Akon is doing such good work and giving back to children in Africa.  That is what it is all about.

Kweri (Cheers),

Sean

I am really really excited because we have accomplished our goal to sell 258 scarves by March 9 to educate one of Miriam’s children for a year!  The only reason we were able to do this is because of you.  So thank you very much for all the support that have given us to make this possible.  Wether it was purchasing a scarf, facebook / twittering about the project, telling friends, or hosting a party – you have directly helped Woodsmoke to change the life of a child in Africa.

Education is the greatest gift that you can give and now Christopher, one of Miriam’s children will be able to go to school for a year because of you.  We actually smashed our goal because of everyones support and have ended up selling 280 scarves when the goal was 258 – that absolutely amazes me.  When you do something that has meaning behind it, work hard, and never give up you can make great things happen!

I am leaving to go back to South Africa tomorrow and will be blogging about my trip.  Megan and I are doing a cycle race in Cape Town (with Lance Armstrong) then we are going back to Durban for a while to meet up with artists.  I will keep you posted on the trip and I am super excited to get Miriam the money – THANK YOU!

Cheers,

Sean, Founder Woodsmoke