A former colleague and friend, Anna Ware, recently announced her new job on Linkedin which prompted me to check out her new company. After visiting their website and hearing their story, I decided to buy something from them and surprise my wife. Although she didn’t know that I had purchased something already, she watched the organizations “Who We Are” video and immediately said, “I want to have Lizzie over for dinner” (Lizzie is the Founder). I had planned on writing a blog on what they do, but after Amy’s surprise arrived, her reaction was so emotional I knew I couldn’t write it. Below is a blog from my wife, Amy:
This morning I opened up the most AMAZNG gift I’ve ever received. It spoke to my heart and brought me to tears. If I hadn’t had bed-head, Dave would’ve caught it on video (but I wouldn’t let him).
I got an iPad bag sold by a company called Market Colors. “So what?” you might say, “You can buy an iPad bag anywhere, Amy.” This is different…
Background: For over 20 years I’ve identified that I have an unexplained heart for Africa. I was lucky enough to go to Kenya twice to work with Street Kids – once in 1998 and then again in 2000. My family even supported a young boy from Kenya through Compassion Int’l who has since graduated from high school.
I love Africa!
Back to Present: The amazing thing about this iPad bag is that it was made in Kenya by a woman named Catherine Nakuru. She has been trained by a local organization in a skilled craft and can now (as a widow) support her 3 children even though she is presently battling HIV.
Market Colors, based out of Orlando, has partnered with an organization called ‘Springs of Hope Kenya’ that works with local churches and people. They also provide safe and loving shelter and training for orphaned and homeless children in Kenya – giving them an opportunity for happy and productive lives.
Everything about this iPad bag has significance. Even colors of my bag are unique in that the stripe that runs down the front is a Kenyan pattern. When I went on safari while in Kenya, we went out to the Maassi Mara and learned about the shepherds that protect the cattle from lions and other roaming wildlife. Red is significant to the Maassi tribe. We were told that once you wore a red cloak, it meant that you had slain a lion with your bare hands and a knife alone! WHAT?! So carrying this bag will also make me think of the brave men in Kenya.
I don’t have a clue the next time I’ll be able to go back to Africa, but being able to think about and support Kenyans in this simple way fills my heart with joy!
