The Empowerment Tour - Appreciations and Refelctions

With its final stops in Montana, The Empowerment Tour came to a close this week. Each week we have heard from Olowo-n’djo and seen the tour through his eyes. As a final closing to this incredible eight weeks, made possible by so many different people across the nation, we asked to hear from all of you who were a part of the tour on the road. Thank you all for sharing you appreciations with us, we value knowing that so many of you were able to share in the experience of The Empowerment Tour, and that it left a lasting legacy with those we visited.

“I was honored to meet you today and hear your story again and understand the purpose for what you do so I can share with others who buy your product. It is indeed the Hope for Humanity… Peace, Olowo-n’djo and Rose and all of the people in Togo, and the world that live in harmony and love. Thank you-”- Kathleen L.M.

“Thanks for coming to Albuquerque (and everywhere else)! Such a treat.” – Susan T.
“Thank you to the Empowerment Tour team and Olowo-n’djo for sharing your adventures with us around the country. It has been fun traveling with you via your updates, photos, and blog. Alaffia!”  –Jen L.

Olowo-n'djo and Lawrence, day two of the tour in the Redwoods. 

Taking in a roadside attraction or two.

Olowo-n'djo at the Hoover Dam. 

Alaffia meets Cadillac Ranch. 

Bio-fueling up, en route to D.C.

Taking in some monuments.

One of the 19+ state signs passed along the way. 

“Thanks to Mr. Tchala, the film crew, and team members for making The Empowerment Tour a huge success yesterday! It was an honor and pleasure to meet the founder of Alaffia and to hear first-hand about all of the community empowerment efforts his company pioneered” – The team at Whole Foods Carmel

“I met Olowo-n’djo at Sprouts Supermarket today. Just wanted to say… what a really nice man! Best of luck to you, if you ever see this message!” – Heidi and Bruce

 “Still riding the energy ‘high’ from your visit yesterday. The time that you invested to include us was not without purpose and the energy will trickle outward long after… there was great conversation late into the night around the bonfire that was all triggered by your visit, your purpose, your passion, and all that has yet to be accomplished. Thank you for investing in us and allowing us to invest in you!!!!! You are generating many smiles in the world!!” – Kate R.G.

Friends met and made along the way

Dinner Training in New York City

Dinner with buyers in New Mexico

Meeting with Whole Foods Corporate in Chicago

The Empowerment Tour Team with Morgan at Whole Foods Global Offices in Austin

The first of what would be many radio interviews

Olowo-n'djo with one of Alaffia's most dedicated supporters 

Drummers became a theme along the tour route

“I attended the Empowerment Tour at the Hennepin Whole Foods. I was very impressed with the positive message of empowering women by providing jobs, schools, bicycles and promoting good health. From a poor country, something positive can happen.” – Kim F.

“Thank you, Olowo-n’djo Tchala and Alaffia, for visiting us to talk about your fair trade body care products and how you’re empowering women and children in your home country! We are honored to have your products in our store!” – The team at Whole Foods Edina

 “Yesterday I got a chance to meet the amazing founders Olowo-n’djo and Rose of Alaffia (one of the companies I demo rep for)! I’m so excited and constantly amazed and inspired by them, this fair trade company, and honored to be a part of Alaffia’s team here in Chicago.” – Anna V.

 “It was such an honor to host Olowo-n’djo and the Alaffia Empowerment Tour at Community Pharmacy this week. We are all so inspired by the vision and efforts of Olowo-n’djo and Rose, and are proud to be a part of supporting their cooperatives in Togo and all the projects they create, from delivering bicycles to schoolgirls to supporting maternal health.” Julie N.

The first of what would be many reunions with members of last year's Togo trip. 

The Togolese cuisine along the way was a big hit

Radio Friends in Charlotte

Organic Marketplace in Gastonia

Presentation at Sunrise Natural Market

Thank you to all of the reps who gave of their time to plan these events, to the stores who hosted, and to the friends, both new and old who have opened up their homes to Olowo-n’djo and the team. This was an unforgettable experience for so many, and it is a direct result of so many people working together across 19 states and countless cities. After 58 days of Empowerment, Olowo-n’djo ends his journey on a high note, encouraged by the immense support offered across the nation.

Alaffia! 

The Empowerment Tour – Week #7:

This Week the tour began the two week long journey back to Washington by way of Upstate New York, and many stops throughout the Midwest.

The tour spent a few days getting well acquainted with Mid-West Hospitality through Indiana and Ohio. This stretch of the tour was full of store trainings and opportunities to share the vision and mission of Alaffia. Many were impacted and their support of Fair Trade and its ability to change our world was strengthened.  “We continue to see people who are taking an active role in participating in making the world better. It feels like there is a strong desire to do something about improving things, and it’s great to participate in these discussions.”

The Empowerment Tour welcomed by Wisconsin

Store training at Sunrise Natural Market.

Many thanks to MaryAnn for a wonderful time in Indiana and Ohio!

Chicago received a special treat; Rose flew out and joined the tour for the three days in The Windy City.

“As the Empowerment Tour entered its final week, I had the opportunity to join Olowo-n’djo in Chicago. For ten years, we have given our entire lives to Alaffia and our journey towards empowerment, social change and poverty alleviation for our communities in Togo. One of the things that has kept us going throughout these years is the knowledge of the trust and support we get from everyone involved in this journey. Sometimes, though, when preoccupied with the day to day necessities of keeping this organization moving, I lose sight of just how much we depend on this and how grateful I am that we have it.  At each and every store that I visited with Olowo-n’djo, I was reminded of the kind and great efforts that people make to help us.  The experience is very humbling and has given me renewed energy and excitement for what the next ten years may bring. I am sure I speak for Olowo-n’djo when I say there are not words to describe how much we appreciate all the hard work our representatives and retailers have put towards ensuring the success of the Empowerment Tour and Alaffia’s journey.”

The team at Whole Foods Lakewiew

Regional Meeting at Whole Foods headquarters downtown Chicago

The team at Dill Pickle

Whole Foods Market Kingsbury

With just a few stops left, The Empowerment Tour is drawing to a close, and we would like to, again, thank everyone for the excitement, generosity, and good will that they have built into this tour. “Every mile we move I become more convinced that we can do something for the greater good; there are many people around the nation that do care about the world.” – Olowo-n’djo  

The Empowerment Tour – Week 3

Week three found the tour crew saying goodbye to the sandy beaches of SoCal and heading to the painted deserts of the southwest. The first city stop out of California, Las Vegas, got a special treat: Rose flew down and joined the tour. The day in Vegas was packed with positive visits, but special thanks must be extended to Whole Foods Las Vegas Blvd. for organizing such a fun and inspiring few hours! Thank you all for the extra effort your team put in to organizing the event, from the delicious food to the drummers and demos. 

(The addition of the massage chair was a touch of genius!)

Serving up the spread at Whole Foods Las Vegas Blvd.

The event soundtrack.

The MUCH appreciated moment of relaxation.

The tour exited Nevada and came into the Grand Canyon State in high spirits, taking a detour past the Hoover Dam enroute to Phoenix. Visited by over one million tourists per year; the giant expanse of concrete arching across Lake Mead is one of the top 10 construction achievements of the 20^th century. Amidst controversy, it stands, in Olowo-n’djo’s words, as “evidence of what humankind is capable of, but also a reminder of how we have the ability to alter and potentially destroy this world.”

Olowo-n'djo at the Hoover Dam.

View of the Colorado River.

As the tour progressed through Arizona, the team became equally acquainted with the unique desert scenery as with the extreme heat that accompanies it. 110 degree heat notwithstanding, Arizona was filled with reunions with old friends and the meeting of many new ones.

Breakfast with new friends, Kathy and Seffa in their sustainably built solar powered home made from shipping crates. 

Thank you both for opening up such a beautiful space for the crew!

As always, we wish to extend gratitude to everyone in Nevada and Arizona who opened up their homes or came to an event, as well as to the stores that hosted and the reps who planned.

“All the stores we have visited are ready and waiting for us. They understand what the tour is about. There are a lot of supporters. We are grateful to the many families that have prepared us food and provided us with a place to stay. They go above and beyond. I'm fired up to go!" –Olowo-n’djo

This must have been a good story!

Olowo-n'djo and the guys from FreshE!, thanks for organizing a great tour through Nevada and Arizona! 

Olowo-n'djo and Lisa Ann.

The Empowerment Tour - Week One

The long awaited Empowerment Tour is officially underway! Olowo-n’djo and crew pulled out of HQ at 3:30 on Monday en route to their first stop in Crescent City, CA after a morning of packing and saying some final farewells.

Last minute tech details with Sam.

Fully loaded and ready for the tour.

The drive to Crescent City was long but filled with beautiful stops along the rugged West Coast.

Photo op on the 101.

A quick stop with Paul and Babe can't be passed up-

Upon arrival in Crescent City, the team was warmly welcomed by Lawrence Batterton who had a busy but exciting first day planned, full of visiting stores and sharing the Alaffia vision with both new friends and old.

Before the last stop of the day, the tour took a diversion past the Carson Mansion in Eureka. Named for the logging magnate who owned it, the house is a towering mix of many Victorian architectural styles, and the most photographed Victorian house in California. Carson himself was known for his philanthropic nature and had a reputation for fairness with his employees. He paid a decent wage, reduced working hours and was respected in his community.

A collision of style: Carson Mansion, meet Alaffia.

The Carson Mansion was a fitting stop on the first day of The Empowerment Tour, as the next two months are dedicated not only to celebrating the empowerment that comes through Fair Trade, but also to celebrate the strides of Empowerment made throughout history.

Thank you Lawrence for the tour and history lesson, the tour is off to a beautiful start!

“Today was a joyful day. In each store we visited, from small co-ops to larger markets, we got a sense of the care people have for the world and for Alaffia. The tour is developing its own life and we are now ready for the next day.” –Olowo-n’djo Tchala

Empowerment Tour Farewell

On a national level, empowerment is the topic of conversation. This week, we celebrate many triumphs in gender and racial equality. Monday was Women’s Equality Day, marking the ratification of the 19^th amendment, and commemorating the struggles and triumphs of the Women’s Suffrage Movement led by Susan B. Anthony. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his groundbreaking “I have a dream” speech 50 years ago this Wednesday. He spoke out against the racial inequality in the nation. Though he did not see the change in his lifetime, today many are enjoying the freedoms he campaigned for.

And for Alaffia, we celebrate Empowerment this week as well. Today we held a farewell ceremony for Olowo-n’djo, to send him off on the Empowerment Tour with blessings and warm regards in the Togolose tradition.

The Alaffia team

Operations were shut down and the whole Alaffia family gathered in the warehouse to receive Olowo-n’djo and offer him gifts. A representative from each department wished him well on his journey. It was a memorable moment for all.

Adam from production wishing Olowo-n'djo well.

Alex from shipping saying a few words.

Rose wrapping up the well-wishing.

Though we will miss having him in the office, we are excited for the tour, and know that Olowon’djo is looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Alaffia!