We recently connected with Anne Drane and have shared our conversation below.
Anne, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I grew up in Kenya. It never occurred to me that I was black or that any part of me makes me “less than” or different. My mother was big on letting us know we can achieve absolutely anything we put our minds to. I always had the self-confidence and esteem to be true to myself and be authentic. It was instilled in me as a child. The women in my family were encouraged to go to college and follow their dreams. That said, in African cultures, women come second to men. You can achieve as much as your husband is comfortable with. When I moved to the USA, I knew that any cultural barriers were lifted, and I was free to do as much or as little as I wanted. I could be myself. My attitude towards being the only person in the room that looks and sounds like me is positive. It helps me stand out, it brews curiosity, it gives people a reason to approach me and gives me an opportunity to talk about our mission and our initiatives. Being different makes the world more interesting.
I recently had my first extreme racist experience. I have been lucky to live in this country for many years without dealing with extreme racism. A few nuances here and there but nothing that makes a difference. That, and the fact that I am married to a wonderful Caucasian husband made me naive and oblivious. To raise funds for my nonprofit after Covid-19, I took a job in Austin in Property Management. One of my bosses who seemed like a normal, kind, older white man during a conversation told me in many ways why I wasn’t of value as a person and as an employee. He made it clear that they do not associate or hire people of my kind. He said I needed to know my place and among many other hurtful words that I did not fit the company’s image. His goal was clear, to belittle, humiliate and put me in my place. It was a gut punch. It was deeply painful and emotionally draining. I try to look for a silver lining. I had renewed empathy and understanding for people that have had to experience such hatred from their childhood, college into the corporate world. It must be very tiring and frustrating. It empowered me as a mother to be prepared to protect my daughter from such bullies through any means.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the co-founder and CEO of a sustainable, ethically made, fairly sourced, nonprofit eco fashion brand – SAWA SAWA. We partner with artisan women in Kenya to harness ancient craftsmanship in weaving, beading, basketry, art and more. Our mission is to provide the women with a sustainable, dignified income. This helps them provide for their children and improve their quality of life. SAWA SAWA means, “it will be okay.” in Swahili. It is our promise to the artisans that allow us into their lives.
They create beautiful, unique bags, baskets and accessories in ways of old. They use all natural, organic, circular, locally sourced plant fiber and leather from their cattle. Every piece is made with love and is good for the people and the planet. Our role is to help them realize the value in their work and their culture and to use it as a force for empowerment.
We use the revenue from the handmade fashion sales to fund clean water, drought relief, medical camps and reproductive health education for girls. Female anatomy is a taboo topic in most homes. The girls drop out of school and get married after their first period. Our co-founder, Catherine Mung’ara is a mother to 3 girls. She is passionate about educating girls about their body changes and preparing them with knowledge and menstrual hygiene kits.
The most exciting thing for me has been taking the time to sit, break bread and learn from the women. They have joy that runs deep. They are resilient, hardworking, talented and brave. Our effect is visibly clear as we drive through the village. There is life in the households of our weavers. It reminds us of why we started this nonprofit and why we need to learn from the women and be as resilient and brave as they are. We have created something that brings lasting change and opportunity to the women and their families. There is no quitting.
The bags and baskets are intricately handcrafted for luxury. Every piece is unique like the conscious women that adopts it. It carries the spirit of the woman that made it and makes a world of difference.
We recently partnered with a woman group in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Home to the last Southern White Rhino. Our goal is to empower the communities around the conservancy. This gives them the platform to be stewards of nature and wildlife. With an income, they lean on their role to protect wildlife from poachers and conserve the nature around them. They are creating beautiful Christmas ornaments that will launch later in the year.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The biggest quality in any project is having the initiative and drive to try. This allows you to start the journey without a clear end in sight. It is scary at times, but it gives the project a chance to show you what it can be. So, try, everything else will fall into place. When you don’t know what to do, leverage the internet, research, join groups that discuss the topic, meet like-minded people, help others with what you have learned and take the time to learn from them as well.
Rejection is good. In the journey to create something great, you will experience a lot of rejection or people who look down at you. That’s good. It’s how the universe guides you on what, where, who you need to be on the journey with. In the same token, some things will come easy and just ‘fit’. That’s the direction you need to be on. To build something bigger than you; you have to understand that there are bigger forces at play. Learn to observe, learn, understand and adapt. Put yourself out there.
Learn to take breaks, rest, take care of yourself. I recently learned this the hard way. I went to Kenya earlier in the year to meet some of the women groups. I worked very hard the months before the trip to prepare and raise funds for the initiatives. In Kenya, I did not take a day off. We drove from one corner of the country to the other, we met many beautiful, inspiring artisans and their families. The took us on safari and showed us their way of life, how they create and what areas they need help with. It was hands down some of the best days of my life. There is nothing like an African experience. The flight home was 30 hours! When I got home, I was so exhausted, I couldn’t think or work. It took about 3 months to get back in shape mentally. I have learned to pace myself and take time for self-care.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Our mission is to empower women and make the world a better place for women and girls in Kenya by helping them create their own solutions to their own challenges. Our work helps the women gain economic independence, equity, and affects 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, we need help.
We need to collaborate and/or partner with retail buyers for stores and boutiques. Our primary mission it to help the women by buying the handwoven bags, baskets, home decor, art and beaded accessories they create. This is how they earn a consistent living. We need to partner with stores that carry our brand to have a consistent outlet. The more bags we sell in the USA market, the more women we can empower in Kenya and the more individual women make to provide for their families. A great example would be to have our baskets in Whole Foods Market. We are both Austin brands and both all natural, organic products and both care about our conscious customers. If you are a buyer of a store or boutique that carries bags, baskets, decor, art, accessories or know one, please share our information and reach out to us. We have women waiting to join beading and weaving groups. Your help could change their lives and will definitely make running our organization easier.
Fundraising events and benefits. We are a 501(c)(3) organization. Help us by hosting a fundraising benefit in your area. Are you looking for a cause to support? pick us. We would love to collaborate with you and raise money for the women in Kenya, food, water, reproductive health and hygiene kits. Please reach out to us.
Donate. At the end of the year, most Americans look at charities to support by donating. We are a nonprofit organization and would love to be a recipient of your grant or donation. Your money will be put to good use and empower women directly. Donations over $10,000 will be eligible to come to Kenya with us and see firsthand the impact of your support.
Partner with us. We partner with multiple nonprofit organization to bring services to the villages in Kenya. Do you have a service that could help our artisans? please reach out. We partner with organizations like Well Aware to bring clean water to villages, Bena Care to bring medical camps and various county community workers to bring reproductive health education to schools and community centers. Do you know of a nonprofit organization that works with communities in Kenya? Please share our work with them.
Blog, podcasts, channels. Help us spread the word and grow our brand. Invite us to your social media interviews, magazines, YouTube channels, community papers, podcasts, blogs and such. Are you a writer? Do you know one? share our information and help us spread the love.
Wildlife – We work with artisans that live close or inside wildlife reservations. We are working to help such communities make a living through eco-tourism. While this is a great opportunity for them, we find animals that need care. If you work to protect/preserve/conserve wildlife and would be willing to partner with us to create a refuge for orphaned animals in the Maasai Mar, please reach out to us. It is needed.
These are some of the ways we can partner and collaborate. Do you have an idea that you think would be a great partnership? Please reach out.
We are two women (Anne and Kate) that sometimes fly too close to the sun. We need all the help we can get.
The easiest way for everyone to help is to follow us on social media, interact with our posts, share our mission with others, shop our collection, invite us to talk about empowering women in Africa and spread the love in any way that comes easy to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sawasawausa.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sawasawausa
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sawasawausa
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annedrane/
- Twitter: https://threadapp.com/sawasawausa
- Youtube: youtube.com/@sawasawausa
- Other: linktr.ee/sawasawausa
Image Credits
Photographers: Summer Miles and Betty Muigai
