2013 Empowerment Tour

Dear Retailers and Friends of Alaffia

 It is my sincere wish that this letter finds you and your family in good health. I am writing to you to inform you of a 58-day nation-wide tour I am undertaking in May and June of this year. I am packing up a biodiesel van and taking this 8,780 mile tour in celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the creation of our Alaffia Shea Butter Cooperative in Togo.  Because of a deep commitment and shared will, the cooperative is here today without outside investment. The true reason why we continue to exist is the opportunities each and every one of you has given to Alaffia, and therefore my foremost objective is to visit as many of you as possible as a personal extension of my gratitude. 

There are no words to express to you the profound impact that your support has enabled Alaffia to have on my communities. Two and a half months ago, upon my arrival in Sokodé, more than 4,000 women and children lined up to express their thankfulness. From that moment on, I knew my own life would never be the same. I know now the responsibilities that I must bear for my communities are for life or death, and that this self-sacrifice is justified for the greater good of others.  

I am greatly looking forward to visiting you and sharing with you our combined achievements as we prepare for the continuing journey towards empowerment of all our communities.  I strongly believe that if we march forward together on the long road towards economic justice, we will build on the freedoms for which those before us have sacrificed so that the generations yet to come will realize the fundamental principles of basic equality and full human rights.

I humbly thank you and am looking forward to visiting with you.

 

Olowo-n'djo Tchala

 

 A complete map and more information on the Emowerment Tour is coming soon!

 

International Women's Day - 2013

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’d like to introduce you to someone very important to us.
 

Meet Ibada. 

At 26, Ibada is the youngest sibling of Alaffia founder Olowo-n’djo Tchala.  If you’re familiar with Alaffia, you are likely already familiar with her life work.  Ibada is Alaffia’s Community Project Director in Togo, and oversees everything that is related to our Community Empowerment Projects.

“Though she is “the baby” of the family, Ibada conducts life as if she were 50.  She is far beyond her years, and has accomplished more than I could have ever hoped, or even imagined” says Olowo-n’djo.

Before working with Alaffia, Ibada trained and worked as a midwife in many different parts of Togo.  In West Africa, 1 in 13 women die in childbirth from complications that could be avoided with basic maternal care. Midwives and adequate medical facilities are few and far between in rural Togo. Ibada devoted herself to helping women across the borders of different villages all throughout Togo. Through her experience she developed a deep understanding of Togolese women’s unique needs.  She also gained experience helping women who have been subject to female circumcision, and developed what Olowo-n’djo calls “a loud voice” about the matter.  She became passionate about reaching out to women who have been circumcised and are thus at higher risk for life threatening complications in childbirth. This was the beginning of Ibada’s work with our Community Projects.

Today, Ibada directly manages a team of 9, including the coordinators for our Bicycles for Education Program, School Supplies Program, Reforestation Program, and of course our Maternal Health Program.  She is closely involved with all of our Community Empowerment endeavors and oversees the entire operation.  Ibada collects follow up data on all of our bike recipients, mothers and babies to best measure the impact these projects are having in their lives and throughout our Togolese communities.  We must create balance that is diverse and free of bias.  Ibada ensures we’re reaching the greatest needs in every village and community. 


Ibada opening medical supplies at a Maternal Health Clinic

For the past couple of years, Ibada has begun to gear part of our Maternal Health Program to specifically reaching women who have undergone circumcision.  This is an extremely sensitive, tedious process as it is a highly controversial issue.  Ibada gains trust with village leaders and chiefs so she may be allowed to speak to the women about female circumcision; educating them about the risks they face in child birth and giving them access to the maternal health care they need.

Hundreds of lives have been spared through this process, and this tier of our Maternal Health Program is growing. 



Ibada and a Maternal Health Clinic employee
 

Today, we celebrate the work and accomplishment of this powerful young woman.  Her life proves that focusing time and energy toward making a positive change can leave an immeasurable impact, for generations to come. 

Ibada with her brother Olowo-n'djo, and women who are part of our Maternal Health Program

 

 As always, we thank you for your support that makes the impact of her work greater with each passing year.

 

Learn more about how your support of Alaffia is empowering our Togolese Communities: http://www.alaffia.com/

 

The Sweet Side of Africa's Secret

With each passing season the health and wellbeing of our bee population is becoming more and more of a concern.  From the disappearance of thousands of bee colonies to the use of pesticides on the crops they pollinate; it is clear that our pollinators are in a precarious situation. 

We believe that every one of our products should not only benefit the individual using it, but also contribute to the wellbeing of our communities and the world we share.  With this in mind, we decided to focus our efforts toward the plight of bees with the development of Africa’s Secret.  This new, all-purpose body cream celebrates Togo’s most powerful indigenous oils combined with sustainably sourced bee products.  After researching the most effective ways of contributing to bee conservation we decided that proceeds of Africa’s Secret would go to the Xerces Society, which is dedicated to the conservation of pollinators, including bees.




A Bumble Bee Polinating Lavender in Washington's Olympic Peninsula



“Bees are undoubtedly the most abundant pollinators of flowering plants in our environment. The service that bees and other pollinators provide allows nearly 70 percent of all flowering plants to reproduce; the fruits and seeds from insect pollinated plants account for over 30 percent of the foods and beverages that we consume. Beyond agriculture, pollinators are keystone species in most terrestrial ecosystems. Fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of approximately 25 percent of all birds, and of mammals ranging from red-backed voles to grizzly bears. However, many of our native bee pollinators are at risk, and the status of many more is unknown. Habitat loss, alteration, and fragmentation, pesticide use, and introduced diseases all contribute to declines of bees.”  The Xerces Society

We are happy to support the work of the Xerces Society and raise awareness about this critical situation.

What’s in this little jar of indigenous wonders?

Certified Fair Trade Handcrafted Shea Butter – Moisturizes and protects; enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation, which helps prevent and minimize stretch marks, inflammations, and scarring.

Certified Fair Trade Virgin Coconut Oil - Virgin Coconut Oil is high in natural antioxidants and protects skin from damaging free-radicals. It also helps keep skin firm and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Beeswax – Locks in moisture and protects skin from the environment. Also contains natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergenic, and germicidal antioxidant properties that aid in the healing process, and healthy cell development.

African Wild Honey - A natural humectant which has the ability to attract and retain moisture. Also has significant natural antioxidant properties.

West African Neem – Has excellent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties. Also effective in treating skin conditions such as extreme dryness and acne.

Baobab Oil – Tightens, tones, moisturizes and encourages skin cell regeneration with vitamins A, D and E.

Sesame Oil - Rich in Vitamin E and B complex and absorbs quickly to moisturize, protect and detoxify skin.

Royal Jelly – Antibacterial properties help stop bacteria growth and balance pH levels.

Bee Pollen – Contains many vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace elements, and powerful antioxidants which help reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

Bee Propolis – Has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal activity and accelerates tissue regeneration.

In keeping with Africa’s Secret’s bee conservation focus, we use only sustainable, wild harvested honey from Togo and humanely raised, antibiotic-free beeswax, propolis, pollen and royal jelly from independent bee keepers in Oregon and Ohio. 

This lineup of ingredients makes this an extremely versatile body cream that is highly moisturizing that helps heal and renew your skin. Africa’s Secret is excellent for all kinds of skin (including troubled, dry and sensitive); hands, body, face, scalp and hair, as our friend and supporter Samantha shares:

“I simply had to message you as I have once again fallen in love with Alaffia as I have rediscovered how amazing 'Africa's Secret' truly is. For the longest time, I was simply washing my hair with water and MAYBE one to two times per week, I would cleanse my hair with baking soda and perform an apple cider vinegar rinse. I would put a small amount (almost trivial) of Africa's Secret through my hair and voila, perfect, glossy, no-frill curls. I, however, for whatever reason decided to start shampooing and conditioning my hair again. Then I started applying all sorts of products, searching for a really 'defined curl' result. ...I was just totally seduced by all of the products and their promises. My hair went crazy; the results were horrible. Stringy, greasy looking hair with which I could do nothing with. I am of mixed race and my curls/hair was just one giant pile of stringy frizz.

Fast forward to the last ten days or so. I have gone back to my minimalist routine, washing infrequently (with just water or a bit of baking soda/ACV) then applying an obscenely small quantity of Africa's Secret through my hair while damp. I have enclosed a photo of the result. Mind you, this is very consistent! I can wake up and be out the door by just 'fluffing' my hair with a bit of Africa's Secret.

My hair consistently looks glossy, curly and happy. I will never be lead astray again by promises that science will make my hair look better than 'nature'. Thank you for your quality products and all that you do!”

What are others saying about Africa’s Secret?

“I’m using it every day. I feel wonderful!” - Yukiko

"I can't say enough about this product, I call it Africa's GOLD!  I had what I think was exzema on my hands, it was miserable. My hands were constantly itching and breaking out. I've only been using it for 3 days and NO MORE itching! I LOVE Africa's Secret, it's such an amazing combination of ingredients! - Becky

“I have it and love it. Amazing product!”  - Anna

“I love it. I use it every day. My skin has never looked so good. Thank you Alaffia.” – Marie

We hope you’ll also discover the versatile benefits of Africa’s Secret.  We thank you for your support in helping us go BEYOND Fair Trade. Together we can continue to make a positive change, even for bees...

Peace and Good Health to you and yours!

If you’d like more information on Xerces Society or take the Pollinator Protection Pledge:  http://www.xerces.org/pollinatorprotectionpledge/

To learn how your support of Alaffia is empowering our Togolese Communities: http://www.alaffia.com/