African Woodsmoke

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

Woodsmoke is the love, longing, and pull that Africa has on our hearts.  Woodsmoke is the smell of Africa just before a heavy rain, the never ending sunsets, and the wildness and freedom that only Africa can offer.  Woodsmoke lives in us and will keep pulling us back to Africa.

Our mission is to To bring the Woodsmoke of Africa to the West through our products, service, and people – all while supporting artists in Africa and their families. In the US education is a given, but in Africa it is seen as a privilege and opportunity because the government does not pay for education. Five percent of every Woodsmoke purchase goes to educating children in Africa.

Why Education?

• Without an education there is no hope in life, no matter how hard you work the plain fact is that if you do not have an education you do not have much chance in life.

• Africa does not need aid, they need trade. Fair Trade in Africa can only happen once the youth are educated to make smart economic and business decisions.  This is lead by obtaining a good education so that they can vote in good leaders and make choices based on sustainable trade ideals.

• Africa needs sustainability and that comes through educating the youth.  The old proverb goes; “give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.”  This is what Africa needs; they need to be able to trade with the world on a basis where they understand the outcome of their decisions.