Malian Bogolan Bags at Hallmark!

I have exciting news for everyone...As part of (Product) Red, Hallmark is now selling cute bogolan bags, hand-painted and hand-sewn by Malian artisans. Representatives from Hallmark visited Mali three separate times (I met with them once in Segou, but unfortunately my artisans could not get their products and pricing in order in time for this Christmas season). They placed several orders with a group of tailors and bogolan (mud-dyed cloth) artisans in Sevare, and my friend Sara Rosen(the business volunteer in Sevare) has spent the last few months working nonstop with these artisans to get the orders filled.

(the bags)

These Malians worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week for months and months to produce 120,000 handbags. This has truly been an amazing opportunity for Malian artisans, as this is the largest order I have ever heard of from an American buyer. I am impressed that this group was able to coordinate and meet all the deadlines for this order. And I am happy that Hallmark considered Malian products for their stores -- Mali's not exactly a big player in the global market (yet!).

Seeing all this from the third-world side of the deal, I honestly believe that this has been an incredible opportunity for the communities involved over here. And hopefully, the bags will be a hit (right now they are in 3,500 stores nationwide) and more orders will flow in.

Check out http://www.hallmark.com/red to get more info and to see the bags. I actually helped get the symbolic meanings of the different patterns and translate them. And go to a Hallmark and see the bags in person (maybe even buy one if you like 'em)! A lot of hard work and collaboration between Peace Corps, West Africa Trade Hub (WATH), Hallmark and Malian tailors and artisans was put into getting these bags on the store shelves in America. We hope you enjoy them!

I'll sign off with a couple photos of my kitten, Jaba. She's fiesty and eats a lot. We get along perfectly!

Ghana Part Deux

I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update my blog...I have been lost in a sea of grad school applications and 500-word essays. But I'm finally putting up some pictures from the awesome trip I had with Maria and Allison.

(Maria and Allison at the Osu food court)

Maria and Allison met me in Accra the evening after I took the GMAT (which went better than I'd hoped...I couldn't have asked for more!). I met them at the airport and took them to Accra's finest hostel (it was the only cheap place walking distance to all the restaurants in the Osu district). It took all I had not to burst into tears when I saw them for the first time -- it's been much too long since I've seen any friends or family. It was crazy to see both my best friend and my big sister in Africa with me.

(on the steps at Elmina Castle)

We spent a day in Accra before heading on a bus to Cape Coast. I took them to the Cape Coast "Nut Rehab Center," where I'd stayed the last time I was here. We didn't stay there, but Allison was observant enough to see a different sign that said "Nutritional Rehabilitaion Center." That solved that mystery!

(In front of the Nut Rehab Center)

It was such a different experience travelling with two other girls around the country. We got harassed so much more than when I was with Yuri. But it was still harmless -- mostly, it was annoying. But Allison and Maria seemed to make the most of it and enjoy their experiences anyway. And I really enjoyed having them as my travel buddies -- I've been in West Africa for so long now that I've forgotten what it's like to see it for the first time. It was great to share their introduction to Ghana with them.

(Maria getting fitted for an African dress)

After touring around Cape Coast and Elmina, we left the chaos of the city life and headed west to the beach. I think for all three of us this was our favorite part. We ended up staying the rest of our trip at the Green Turtle lodge. It was relaxing and beautiful, despite the mouse that came into our hut every night to nibble on our power bars!

(Maria and me on the beach at the Green Turtle lodge)

The trip altogether was super fun and much too short. But I cherished the chance to get to talk (in person!) to Maria and Allison and share with them a part of my life here. It was one of my favorite memories I've had here so far, and it made me eager to come home and see the rest of you. If anyone is interested in heading east for a vacation, let me know! And Allison and Maria -- it's now your job to convince others to come visit!