Imani Prep     June 09, 2022

I am working hard on Swahili and settling in. Things are going well as I get ready for my first training this Monday. I'll be working with the leadership of an amazing company called Imani Collective. 

It began with 16 women in a small village outside of Mombasa. Founder, Jenny Nuccio, had a vision to help children in the area with educational needs. Yet, she found that their needs were much larger. Most of these children came from single mother homes where the women were struggling with little to no trade skills. So, Jenny decided to come alongside a group of 16 women to teach them skills such as sewing and crafting. Now, the company hosts over 100 artisans and 25 leadership staff. They reaching out to sell their products all over the world to fund a beautiful work in the lives of their community. 

There is a ally way down the way from Fort Jesus that leads to a small array of shops and tourist grabs. Hanging from a wooden sign, you can see the Imani Logo peaking out at the end of the alley. The shop is clean, bright, and beautiful. There are beautiful hand made objects all around. Purses, stuffed animals, scarfs, and banners. Each one has a hand written name of the artist who created the piece.

I met with one of the leaders who led me a little further across the alley to their workshop. Oh my! So may colors! There are inspiring quotes and murals all around. Men and women are sitting across long tables as they weave beautiful large tapestries. There is press station with bright designs. I look up to see feet dangling from a high ledge where a large rug is being woven by hand. There are smiles and the sound of laughter throughout as friends work together to create their goods. I meet so many women, but I cant help but think, this is my mom. 

The vision of Imani is to "break the generational cycle of poverty through the transformation of women and their families." I think back to my mother. I think back to the struggles of poverty, abuse, and drugs that filled my home as a child. And I think to the day that my mom decided to make a change. There were many businesses, individuals, and programs that came along side to help her grow. One of her first mentors recalls that she had never met someone so downtrodden that they couldn't even lift their eyes from the floor. Yet, you wouldn't know that today.

Now, my mom is one of the most vibrant and exciting people you will ever meet. She is charismatic and can charm an entire room. She started growing when I was a child, yet she took every opportunity to change her life for the sake of her children. My sister and I are the first generation to break the cycle.  We are the first generation to attend college. We are healthy. We are strong. But none of that could have happened if programs like Imani didn't come along side my mother to instill hope and a fruitful future. So, I smile at the beautiful women weaving and sewing their pieces. But my heart just burst with appreciation, because I know first hand what it feels like to be on the other end.

So, needless to say, I am excited to meet with them this Monday and hopefully give some joy and tools to the individuals who spend all day giving to others. And... Just a little tidbit: My mom, who barely made it through high school, and started with awesome journey of transformation....just graduated with her Bachelors in Business! Talk about a powerful woman.