I was sitting in a meeting with our beloved founder, Olowo-n’djo Tchala, yesterday and was very touched by a comment he made about beauty. We were discussing our face care products with an estitician and he emphasized the point that although we work in the skin care industry, we don’t want people to feel like they aren’t beautiful as they are. The cosmetics industry is an eight million dollar industry … one bottle of high end face cream could feed a person in the poorer countries for an entire month. For the cost of the entire skin care set, a child in that same country could be sent to school for the year not having to sacrifice the families income for food in case the crops fail or other natural disasters occur.

“Beauty is the unattainable,” a comment made by my friend’s father. This statement is based on opinion but, there is a great deal of truth in this statement, since it seems that many people feel that they need to take one more step before they feel look the way they desire. According to the headlines on many beauty and fashion magazines worldwide we need to buy new products and shed a few more pounds before we are actually considered beautiful, sexy or attractive. Will that new lip gloss really make me more attractive?

The old saying goes… beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A person can spend hundreds of dollars on the perfect skin regime but at the end of the day, if you don’t feel good about yourself and who you are, those cosmetics won’t make a difference.

What’s important is taking care of the one body you do have and doing what you know is right - we were taught the basics in primary school: eat a balanced diet, exercise and keep things in moderation. Committing to this simple routine will help you feel well both mentally and physically.

Celebrate who you are…

Olowo-n’djo greeting The Witley’s

Alaffia recently attended a Chili Cook off held by the Free Masons where Skye was recognized for his generosity. I spoke with a Mason on the phone today and he gave me this brief historical account: The Free Masons began long ago as a society of people who apply spiritual, mental and physical capabilities to do good for this world; George Washington was a Free Mason. It is also of interest to note that the secrets and sharing of information is based on memory and little written literature exists. Link:http://www.olympia1.org/.

Skye’s Plaque

Six thousand minutes of reading later and a raffle drawing, Skye wins the bicycle!! “…I already had a bike and didn’t need another one…” says, Skye. Skye already had a bicycle of his own, so he donated this second one to Alaffia.

Skye giving a speech

Skye entered a reading contest at school because he wanted to win the prize: a bicycle, not for himself, but to donate to Alaffia. Skye stated, “I didn’t know if I would win, but I wanted to try!” His whole idea was to try! It’s inspiring to know that parents, teachers and fraternities are quietly instilling this kind of character trait into their children’s way of thinking.

We have been very lucky to have Nicole Evans, a recent Peace Corps volunteer from Togo, offering an extra hand with several projects in our Lacey office. We think you’ll enjoy this story about her first introduction to Alaffia.

“Alaffia” was a considerable part of my vocabulary for a long time. Not because I was spending all my time perusing the beauty aisles at my local health store. “Alaffia” is the response to what seems to be every question in the Kotokoli language. “How are you?” “And the family?” “And the work?” “And the fields?” The answer to all these questions was always “Alaffia.” In my mind I always translated it as “it’s all good.”

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo. The rural village where I was posted is about 25km north of Alaffia’s shea butter cooperative in Sokodé. I was a Natural Resource Management volunteer focusing my work on environmental education.

Nicole in the classroom

Alaffia is a legend in Peace Corps Togo. It’s the shea butter from the Centrale region that’s transformed into great products stateside and sold across the country. I am one of the few people who have discovered the incredible Togolese side of this company before the American. I had the opportunity to visit the cooperative in Sokodé and witness the amazing work the women do to convert the shea seeds into butter. There is a strong sense of community at the cooperative and the women there take pride in the work they do.

When I returned from my Peace Corps service I was anxious to get back to Olympia, Washington and track down the company owners. I was lucky enough to find them down at a local bike donation drive. I’ve since visited the office, met many of the people involved with the company, and been invited as family to director’s house for dinner. It’s powerful to see how passionate everyone involved with the company is. I am able to put a face to the men, women, and children benefiting from this cooperative. I know the power of giving women monetary responsibility; I know how much school kids will benefit from the bicycles Alaffia collects, and what a difference decent school supplies makes for a child’s education. And the best part is that I am able to help my family halfway around the world in Togo just by using great, natural beauty products.

Happy bike recipient!

The media is often caught up in doom and gloom drama stories. I don’t think we emphasize and share the “good news” enough in our society. This blog posting is a celebration of the spirit of giving. In the past few months friends and supporters of Alaffia have made generous contributions. In so much that, I have found myself pausing for a moment and feeling a deep sense of appreciation and faith in humanity.

Local boy being fitted for a helmet!

Our June Bike Donation drive was a huge success here in Olympia. We collected 84 bicycles which will be loaded into a container for shipment to Togo on July 31, 2010. In addition, we would like to thank all of you who volunteered for this event and contributed to its overall success. Special thanks to the Fish Tale Brewery, the Olympia Food Co-op on the Eastside, the Olympia Food Co-op on the Westside, KAOS radio, Olympia Police Department and all the local shops that posted our flyers advertising this event!

We often have people ask us “What are you doing for Americans?” At the bike drives we receive small children’s bicycles which are not included in our shipments to Togo. These bicycles are donated to the local food bank here in Olympia, WA. Most recently on June 25, 2010, 54 bikes were donated to the food bank at the Union Gospel Mission. Economically disadvantaged children of families in Thurston County happily received the bicycles. We’d like to thank The Boyd Family and Mariah Mason for spearheading this project and increasing Alaffia’s involvement in the local community. The Boyd family also used funds from a garage sale to purchase helmets which were also donated to the food bank. We could not do what we do without these dedicated workers and family involvement.

The Boyds

Mohammed in action!

I’d like to make extra special mention of a teacher from the Olympia High School (OHS), Mohammed El-Sokkary. Mohammed teaches an alternative education class at OHS. As part of the class, some of the students repair old bicycles. Up until recently, these bicycles were donated to people in the community. Unfortunately, due to legal issues, they had to discontinue this practice in 2006. Around the same time, Mohammed read about Alaffia’s Bicycles for Education program in the newspaper. We of course welcomed Mohammed and his students with open arms and the rest is history…

Lastly, we’d like to introduce a young friend of Alaffia who donated his new bike, which was won through a raffle contest, to our Bicycles for Education project. This is the second bike that Skye Whitely donated to Alaffia. Please stay tuned for more details about Skye’s generous contribution!!

Independence Day is a few days away. For many, Fourth of July is a time for parties, picnics, fireworks (most likely made in China), concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States of America. We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the history of our country and how tens of millions of immigrants have helped shape the backbone of America. I can’t imagine how our country would function without all the people who have come from lands near and far. The English colonial powers were wary of migration and concerned about conflict with the Native Americans on the new frontier. In fact, King George’s attemp to inhibit migration was one argument for independence outlined in The Declaration of Independence:/em>

“[King George] endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. (http://www.vdare.com/misc/independence_day_03.htm)”

With opened migration from European countries after Independence, forced migration from West Africa through slavery, and encroachment into Native American communities, America became a land of diversity. This pattern continued through our history. For example, nearly a century later due to a labor shortage, Chinese immigrant laborers emigrated and performed the most treacherous work blasting and laying ties to create the foundation of the transcontinental railroad which stretches from California, through the Sierras and the Missouri River to Chicago (http://cprr.org/Museum/Chinese.html). Over 11,000 railroad workers were Chinese sleeping and eating in primitive conditions, enduring long hours, usually 24 hours a day, seven days a week during hot summers and long winters. African- Americans also made great contributions to the construction of the railroads in addition to working as Brakemen, firemen, porters, chefs, mechanics, and laborers. It is also important to mention that during his inauguration, President Barack Obama stood on the steps of the US Capitol which were built by slaves more than two centuries ago.

Can you imagine how different the United States would be today without the cultural influences of immigrants? Not only have immigrants contributed to our workforce, delicious cuisines and fashions but they have broadened our perspectives on different ways to live our lives and share our communities!
If you’d like to read more, the late Howard Zinn has thoroughly documented America’s history from a perspective rarely recollected in “A People’s History of the United States.” There is also vast literature available on the topic of our country’s history at the local library, bookstores or on the World Wide Web!

School Supplies Donations in Full Effect!

Alaffia has begun collecting school supplies for the 2010-2011 school season. These supplies will be distributed to low-income students in central Togo. This year, several of our retail accounts are joining in this effort by displaying Alaffia Donation Boxes for School Supplies. In June, all Whole Foods Markets in the Mid Atlantic region have school supply donation boxes (this includes Whole Foods Markets in the following states: MD, VA, KY, OH, PA, and the DC area). In July, natural food cooperatives in the Western states will be participating. Please stop by your local stores during these months to drop off your pen and pencil donations.

Since 2004, Alaffia has been supporting disadvantaged students in Togo by donating school supplies. Students are required to supply their own pens, pencils, books, paper, and even chalk for their teachers. Providing just a few of these items reduces the financial burden of education for disadvantaged families.

Education is an important part of sustainable communities, but poverty induced drop-outs means only 14% of 12-18 year old boys and 9% of girls attend secondary school in rural Togo. Aiding families with the expense of education helps keep children in school and helps ensure a sustainable future.

Often, villages are able to build a school using local materials and labor, but cannot afford metal roofs and desks to complete the school. In addition to school supplies donations, we carry out several school repair projects each year including building benches and installing new roofs to make learning more comfortable for students. Alaffia also provides fabric for uniforms to 200 disadvantaged students each year.

There are several ways to join Alaffia’s mission to empower Togolese youth through education.

If you are a retailer: Request a School Supplies Donation Box through our online contact form.
If you are a customer: Donate supplies at your local store, donate online, or send school supply donations to Alaffia, PO Box 11143, Olympia WA 98505.

Supplies requested for the students:
• Pencils (wooden, #2)
• Pens (ball point – red, black, or blue)
• Chalk (white)
• Protractors
• Compasses

Learn more about our school projects here.

Sustainable Palm Harvesting and Traditional Oil Extraction

Alaffia’s red palm oil and virgin palm kernel oil are extracted at our Fair Trade cooperative in Sokodé using traditional methods. The palm fruits are from small farms in the Maritime region of Togo, West Africa – from the town of Tsevie to Kpalime. When palm is grown where it is not native, as in Indonesia and Malaysia on newly cleared rainforest or peat-swamp forests, it can contribute to the endangerment of animals such as the borneon orangutan. In recent years, industrial plantation crops exist over wrecked rainforests in those countries and devastate the natural habitat of many native species. Fortunately our source of palm oil is native to West Africa, and is harvested in the same way it has been for hundreds of years.

The native dura palm fruits are pounded to a pulp off the hard inner kernel which is separated and pressed later to extract the virgin palm kernel oil. These fruits are thin and nutrient dense, yielding far more antioxidants than hybridized varieties. Hybridized fruits are thicker, producing oil that tends to fractionate. Our palm fruits create a deep red creamy oil with a high antioxidant yield and impressive fatty acid profile. This is the variety West Africans prefer for household use. This oil is found in many traditional dishes, adding both flavor and essential nutrients. The fresh fruits are pounded with a wooden mortar until all of the fruits are crushed away from the hard inner kernel, which cannot be crushed by hand.

Our virgin palm oil is a rich source of pro-vitamin A in the form of carotenoids. Virgin palm oil contains about 15 times more carotenoids than carrots, which gives the oil its deep red color. Virgin palm oil is also rich in vitamin E and is free of cholesterol.

The crushed pulp fruits are then placed in a clean basin and mixed with potable water and whipped for several hours until the fats begin to appear. Warm water is then added to cause the fruit fats to rise to the surface and separate from the non-oil parts.

When palm oils are refined for easier use, the color, scent, and active constituents are removed. Alaffia’s palm oils retain active phytosterols and flavanoids, vitamins A, E, and K. It is a natural source of essential fatty acids and squalene, to repair the skin and retain elasticity.

The End Result

Traditional Extraction: Straining Pulp from the Oil

From start to finish, Alaffia’s red palm oil makes a “light footprint” on this planet. The producers of our palm oils receive fair wages for their work. Using the indigenous ingredients from our Fair Trade cooperative, Alaffia’s handcrafted skincare products give 10% of the sales back to community projects in West Africa. That is the full circle of sustainable skincare.

Enjoy the skin nurturing benefits of red palm oil in the following products from Alaffia:

• EveryDay Shea Moisturizing Body Lotions
• Red Palm and Shea Lip Balm, Tangerine Clove
• Shea and Red Palm Nurturing Lotion, Mango-Citrus
• Antioxidant Body Lotion, Citrus Blossom
• Red Palm and Shea Nurturing Body Soap, Savanna Sunset

These are definitely a few of my favorite choices for a hydrating tropical treat.

Kicking Off this Summer’s Bike Drives with Local Flavor

Throughout the year, several of our staff members bike to work. As of May 1, five staff members began participating in a bicycle commuter contest hosted by Intercity Transit, our local Olympia transportation authority. The contest has been taking place for 23 years and coincides with Bike to Work & School Day which is Friday, May 21. In 2009, more than 700 students in all grade levels participated; an elementary school noted a 50 percent reduction in car drop offs.

By taking part in this contest, our staff members will bike to work, reduce traffic, save money, improve their health and contribute to a cleaner environment. “On a round-trip commute of 10 miles, bicyclists save around $10 daily.” ( http://www.peopleforbikes.org/pages/benefits_of_biking /). A recent study compared bicycle vs. automobile energy use and found that bikes are 2/3 more efficient than cars which even calculated the energy used to produce the extra food the cyclist requires. http://www.lafn.org/~dave/trans/energy/bicycle-energy.html

In conjunction with the closure of the commuter contest, Alaffia will hosted our annual Olympia area bike donation drive. On Saturday, June 5th Alaffia collected used bicycle donations at the FishTale brewery parking lot in downtown Olympia.

Olympia Bike Drive Event Page

In rural areas of Togo, West Africa:

• Over 90% of girls drop out of school
• There is no bus service, and families cannot afford cars
• Children must walk up to 10 miles to attend school

Education is an essential in empowering communities, and providing sustainable transportation helps keep children in school and break the cycle of poverty.
Since 2005, Alaffia with the help of Puget Sound communities and volunteers has sent over 3,000 bicycles to Togolese students!

Excerpts from Michelle Holmes’ Blog Post: Pedal Power from Olympia, Washington to Togo, West Africa : Pedal Power Blog

Respect and Love, Tiffany A. Conroy

Many of you have known our founder Olowo-n’djo as a friend, humanitarian, or as an esteemed business associate. In addition to watching over a growing sustainable skincare business and a community empowerment movement, he cares for two beautiful daughters and his lovely wife, Rose. This is a tribute to our founder’s role as a Father.

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He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland
Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him Father! ~ Lydia M. Child

Messages from the Alaffia Team in Lacey, WA:

“Happy Fathers Day!!! I hope it is a blessed day for you J” - Justina in Packing

“Enjoy your Day” – Linda, Production Manager
“Happy Fathers Day!!” – Britta in Packing

“Thanks for being the best boss on the planet. You are a great role model for me and your beautiful daughters. My father is very pleased that I am able to work for another father with morals and integrity like his own” – Tiffany, Sales and Service Associate

“Have a good one!” – Jodi, Accounting

“Baba Tchala! Many thanks for welcoming me into the Alaffia Family. Best, Michelle” -Administrative Liaison

“Many blessings of love and strength this day and all the rest. Big Hugs, Angela” - – Community Affairs Coordinator

“Happy Father’s Day!!! Enjoy, Russell” – Packing Expert

“Happy Father’s Day. Enjoy, you are a good father.” – Ingrid in Production

“Nobody ever says, ‘Hey Daddy, Thanks for knocking out this rent. I sure love this hot water. It’s easy to read with all this light.’ Thank you for being the support system. You radiate from your family to all those who surround you. Happy Daddy’s Day!” – Melanny, Sales and Service Director

The World Cup is off and running. This is the first time the World Cup has taken place on the African continent; an experience that some thought would never happen. This historical global event brings together 32 countries celebrating soccer. The games expect to draw 450-500 million viewers (http://www.globalwatchtower.com/2010/06/01/world-cup-2010/) all over the globe. In some remote areas , viewers will be relying on generators for electricity to view the games.

Although we are very sad that Togo’s football team was not able to participate in the World Cup we are enjoying the games and celebrating this momentous occasion! While traveling down to South Africa on their team bus, prior to the World Cup, Togo’s football team was attacked by open gunfire which killed the team’s assistant coach, its communication officer and the bus driver; seven others were wounded, including goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale(http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/01/11/african.nations.cup.togo.arrest/index.html). Unfortunately, Togo’s government asked the team to return home even though the team had wanted to play.Despite this incident, I do believe the words of the World Cup founder, Jules Rimet, “Soccer could reinforce the ideals of a permanent and real peace.” While drafting this blog, I was attempting to express how soccer is a form of peace as it brings together people from different countries, some of those which are even at conflict. North Korea, formerly part of the “axis of evil,” is competing in the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

Kids in Togo Playing Soccer!

It’s that time of year again! Garden stores and hardware shops are filled with vegetable starts for bountiful gardens. Gardening is a wonderful, meditative way to connect with the land offering economic, social and health benefits for all ages.

Nearly 40% of all Americans are planting gardens (“http://ourfriendben.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/vital-statistics/”).  The gardening trend even hit the White House where the first lady, Michelle Obama, planted a victory garden for the first time since Eleanor Roosevelt did it in WWII.  Together with local school children she is using gardening for education, to discuss fresh food and healthy diets.

What is enjoyable for many about growing vegetables, in addition to being outdoors, is the simple fact that you do not need much to reap the benefits of eating fresh herbs or vegetables straight off the vine.  With proper planning, it is possible to grow starts at home or purchase starts from a local nursery. You can use small pots and have a container garden or have a larger garden if space is available to you.  As a Peace Corps volunteer in East Africa, I’d often see old pots, plastic buckets and even plastic bags being used as holders for vegetables, fruit trees and other plants.  Not only was this practice resourceful, but it offered an additional nutrient source for families with limited financial resources.

For less than $10, you can purchase a tomato plant, lettuce starts and a favorite herb.  As soon as they flourish, you will save an average of $5-7 on a weekly basis.  If you are trying to live frugally, consider using part of your lawn to grow a fresh organic food. A 10×10-foot plot can grow hundreds of dollars worth of delicious food  (“http://ourfriendben.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/vital-statistics/”).

Native bumblebees pollinating Spanish lavender. Gardening provides habitat for native and beneficial insects. Photo: Rose Hyde

Another option for some communities are neighborhood gardens where groups of people share a small plot of land amongst themselves. In this sort of arrangement, you and your neighbors can vary which crop you plant to increase the variety. During harvest time, you can share the bounty with each other and increase the diversity of your selection. It’s that time of year again! Garden stores and hardware shops are filled with vegetable starts for bountiful gardens. Gardening is a wonderful, meditative way to connect with the land offering economic, social and health benefits for all ages.

Large scale garden projects exist with supporting evidence about the tremendous social benefits.  For over two-decades, the San Francisco County Jail in San Bruno, California has successfully implemented a garden project on eight acres. Fresh-grown vegetables are used in prison meals and the surplus is donated to needy food banks, housing projects and senior centers. Catherine Sneed, Program Coordinator reports that inmates are better able to communicate with one another and resolve disputes amicably.  “Somewhere during the time spent quietly working the Earth, something happens and something changes. Witnessing the cycle of growth and renewal allows the prisoners to see their own potential for growth and change ( http://www.kentucky.com/2010/01/26/1112151/prison-garden-projects-can-help.html)”. Here in Washington State at McNeil Island Corrections Center, The Evergreen State College has effectively collaborated with the prison implementing a sustainable prisons project including gardening,composting, bee keeping and recycling.

Young calendula flowers are used in Alaffia's Hand and Body Balm and Blissful Baby Balm. Photo: Rose Hyde

In closing I’d like to take a moment and reflect on our ancestors, many who used farm and garden as a necessary way of life to put food on the table. I hope this blog has inspired you to experience the joys of gardening for yourself and plant a garden or pick up potted vegetables to place on a window or patio.  If you have a larger outdoor space, you could even throw a garden party for an excuse to gather with family and friends!

On behalf of the estimated 150 million children in the world who are forced into child labor(http://www.unicef.org/media/media_53611.html) , we encourage you to take a moment to consider your purchasing choices and boycott any companies who support child labor. Although some believe that slavery has been abolished, many of today’s slaves are children.

Due to economic challenges and global poverty we understand that it is necessary for children to work and support their families at young ages farming and other domestic chores. When we use the term child labor we are referring to work that harms them or exploits children in some way – physically, mentally, morally, or by blocking their access to education (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/261592/world-day-against-child-labor).
Millions of exploited children are forced into life threatening conditions every day, working in mines, dangerous machinery, working with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture. Girls working as domestic servants are highly susceptible to exploitation and abuse.

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.the-walrus-said.blogspot.com

The sad reality is that in many of these cases children are working at large multi-national corporations such as Nike and Hershey’s. With the US State Department estimating that there are more than 100,000 child laborers working in hazardous conditions on West African cocoa farms.

It has been a decade since the International Labor Organization’s Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor came into force. Millions of child laborers have benefitted from the Convention’s drive against such practices such as the use of children in slavery, forced labor, trafficking, debt bondage, forced or compulsory recruitment for armed conflict, and all forms of work that are like to harm the safety, health, or morals of children. But despite the progress, much remains to be done.
The topic of child labor is daunting but each and every one of us can contribute to positive social change through the decisions we make daily. Ask your grocer or retailer to stock fair trade items or check out the internet or your local library for companies that are fair trade certified. Be aware of the impact of your choices – buying chocolate produced with child slave labor encourages and rewards this practice. Speak out – to neighbors, friends and family as well as political leaders to do more to stop child labor.
For more information peruse these websites: Global Exchange, Sweatshop Watch, Campaign for Labor Rights, National Consumers League, and Transfair USA

http://www.sweatshopwatch.org/
URL: http://campaignforlaborrights.org/
URL: http://www.natlconsumersleague.org/