Mission & Global Impact
Linda Stolz and Robin Foreman saw Soko Rafiki as a natural outgrowth of Global Alliance for Africa's economic strengthening activities and strategies to operate a for-profit business operation to create markets for goods created by Africans. The two women raised the idea after considering selling sisal bags as a way to raise funds for Global Alliance Students for Africa. By promoting the sale of well constructed, environmentally sustainable products produced by women weavers, the women saw a way for many groups to benefit:
- the women who weave the bags
- the men who sew the leather straps on
- the local economy where the men and women live
- the children who are supported by these men and women
- the sisal industry in East Africa
- the individuals in the U.S. and around the world who purchase the bags, thus deciding not to use plastic or synthetically produced bags
- the citizens of the world whose landscape and landfills won't be littered with plastic bags
- The partners of initiatives of Global Alliance for Africa and the Students for Africa who receive a donation from the profits from the sale of the bags.
This is marketing at its best. And we've decided to expand the concept to include other products made by other groups. Hence the birth of Soko Rafiki!
The mission of Soko Rafiki is to:
- create a market outside of Africa for African-made goods
- pay a fair price for goods purchased in Africa
- create continuing orders for merchandise to guarantee a steady income for the artisans
- assist African partners of Global Alliance for Africa, helping them to access markets and alleviate poverty
- assist African partners by offering seed money to launch a craft initiative
- help build capacity and improved marketing and business skills in its partner organizations
- use renewable, eco-friendly materials when possible
- inform consumers of the ease with which they can support African groups using a free market approach and trade instead of aid.
So welcome! Join our Soko la Marafiki!