We're heading into one of our first busy fall weekends, with a sidewalk sale on Saturday and Fiesta DC on Sunday. We've been had our hands full making sure that Amani products get to volunteers and webstore customers throughout the United States, so we appreciate opportunities to connect locally with these events.
As a little boost of affirmation, Zoe Sandvig, a local writer friend, visited us during the Grand Opening and wrote a profile on the AmaniDC center for World Magazine. It offers a glimpse of the friendships and experiences behind the new location. Check it out here. And I got to chat with a reporter from the Memphis Commercial Appeal who wrote this piece to promote a volunteer sale in their area this week. Opportunities to share about Amani and why I love it are so energizing.
With lots of product-related tasks coming in, our little team of staff and volunteers are pulling together and pitching in a lot these days. It's a refreshing change of pace to be able to work on a variety of things and so gratifying to watch products that represent our friends' livelihoods. It's an encouragement to them and makes me anticipate the day when I can see them again. Hopefully that will be in the new year. More on that next time!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Cooling Down and Gearing Up
Fall arrived rather abruptly to DC last week. On the first of September, the temperatures dropped and the humidity seeped off to torment some other poor city. We were ready for this--the District, as well as Amani.
It was nice to have a slower pace in August, with the grand opening past and the fall rush not yet upon us. We took the time to catch our breath and get ready for the events and sales we anticipate for the fall. A few weeks ago, a few friends and their little ones spent the morning with us modeling bags and kids items. The photos are now scattered throughout the online shop. And with the arrival of six big boxes last Friday from Nairobi, the fall rush officially got underway. (Just a tip: there are some really great new things online and in the shop right now. Plus, free shipping in September!)
The back-to-school season has also meant that some of our summer volunteers are returning to their work schedules. Fortunately, we've been getting some other nice folks to help us out. Between Idealist.org and the local universities, we've got lots of willingly, helpful hands. We find their presence with us not only practically helpful, but encouraging too. It draws in new people who connect with Amani in their own unique way--be it organizing and system-tweaking, learning about the craftsmanship of the products, or deepening their understanding of development and social enterprise.
Speaking of events, here's a list of some of the events we have coming up. Mark your calendars if you're in the area!
Saturday, September 26th - Mt. Pleasant Sidewalk Sale
A pre-Fiesta DC sidewalk sale with other vendors on the main street.
Sunday, September 27th - Fiesta DC
Fiesta DC is an annual event celebrating Latino cultures and heritage in the DC area that takes place on Mt. Pleasant Street! This is a big event with lots of food, people, and music. It should be a lot of fun.
Saturday, October 17th - Hearts & Hands Bazaar
This annual crafts bazaar has become a staple for Amani's fall schedule.
Friday & Saturday, November 6th & 7th: AmaniDC Holiday Open House
Our big sale event for the holiday season with a large sale section.
As we move into this busier season, there are certainly some items for prayer:
Now, go celebrate fall and enjoy an apple.
It was nice to have a slower pace in August, with the grand opening past and the fall rush not yet upon us. We took the time to catch our breath and get ready for the events and sales we anticipate for the fall. A few weeks ago, a few friends and their little ones spent the morning with us modeling bags and kids items. The photos are now scattered throughout the online shop. And with the arrival of six big boxes last Friday from Nairobi, the fall rush officially got underway. (Just a tip: there are some really great new things online and in the shop right now. Plus, free shipping in September!)
The back-to-school season has also meant that some of our summer volunteers are returning to their work schedules. Fortunately, we've been getting some other nice folks to help us out. Between Idealist.org and the local universities, we've got lots of willingly, helpful hands. We find their presence with us not only practically helpful, but encouraging too. It draws in new people who connect with Amani in their own unique way--be it organizing and system-tweaking, learning about the craftsmanship of the products, or deepening their understanding of development and social enterprise.
Speaking of events, here's a list of some of the events we have coming up. Mark your calendars if you're in the area!
Saturday, September 26th - Mt. Pleasant Sidewalk Sale
A pre-Fiesta DC sidewalk sale with other vendors on the main street.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm @ AmaniDC
Sunday, September 27th - Fiesta DC
Fiesta DC is an annual event celebrating Latino cultures and heritage in the DC area that takes place on Mt. Pleasant Street! This is a big event with lots of food, people, and music. It should be a lot of fun.
11:00 am to 7:00 pm @ AmaniDC
Saturday, October 17th - Hearts & Hands Bazaar
This annual crafts bazaar has become a staple for Amani's fall schedule.
9:00 am to 3:00 pm @ Messiah United Methodist Church (6215 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA)
Friday & Saturday, November 6th & 7th: AmaniDC Holiday Open House
Our big sale event for the holiday season with a large sale section.
2:00 to 7:00 on Friday, 10:00 to 4:00 on Saturday @ AmaniDC
As we move into this busier season, there are certainly some items for prayer:
- Opportunities to connect through Amani with customers in the shop and at these events.
- Strong sales at volunteer sales across the US, online, in the shop, and at local events.
- Good communications with the rest of the Amani family in Africa, that we might encourage and strengthen one another.
- Energy & creativity for everyone working together at AmaniDC.
- Ongoing relationships with groups and individuals in the community, that Amani would be an agent of peace where there is discord.
Now, go celebrate fall and enjoy an apple.
Monday, August 10, 2009
On Fortitude or "Amani's Not for the Faint of Heart"
A friend recently gave me Lisa McMinn's new book, The Contented Soul, assuring me that, while it wasn't a judgment of my own practice of contentment, she thought I would find its reflections a helpful reminder of that toward which what we're often spurring one another. McMinn centers an early chapter of her book on the concept of fortitude. This struck me as mildly surprising. Fortitude much doesn't find its way into my everyday conversation. But McMinn casts it in a beautiful light, calling it "the ability to stay in the moment, and respond virtuously to it" (p.39). It encompasses resilience, mettle, grit, spirit, and strength of mind and character. Contentment comes as we learn to trust our bodies, minds, and spirits as they are tested by life's challenges. "A bit of courage and mastery foster contentment--the satisfaction of knowing how a thing works, how to repair it, what's edible in the wild, and what alternative one might have if, in a pinch[...],one needs to be resourceful." (p.47)
We have a favorite motto around the AmaniDC office: "Amani's not for the faint of heart." It's usually repeated when someone is precariously juggling products or working out the mental puzzle of (once again) reorganizing our limited space or lugging an over-sized box up the stairs. Another way of saying the same thing might be "Amani takes fortitude." I'm consistently amazed by the new challenges that arise with each new phase of AmaniDC's life. The past eight months at AmaniDC and getting to know our neighbor businesses have given me profound insight into the struggles of small business staff. Navigating legal and tax codes, setting up a working wireless network, or sorting out financial systems can consume the hours of idealistic, creative people who simply want to see their operation thrive. At the same time, I'm always impressed by God's provision for Amani in the form of ingenuity, encouragement, volunteers, and simple joys--like a surprise video chat with the women at Amani's center in Kigali, Rwanda.
I've certainly been stretched by the experience of the last eight months to work with diligence and determination at things I never imagined myself doing. It might not always look like mastery, but certainly resourcefulness. And it's not something to be done alone, but rather alongside the Amani family here in DC, throughout the US, and in Africa.
This fortitude is something demonstrated particularly well by my sisters in Africa. Their photos now hang above the product displays on the tall walls in the shop. They trade prayer requests with us regularly that we might carry one another's burdens. Their testimonies give me perspective on the daily struggles we face here. We are not alone in what seems like an endless string of struggles. They face these and many others with gratitude and grace. We each have our own difficulties with trusting God and choosing to pursue peace, but our partnership strengthens us in this task. They remind me to quit my whining and see challenges as an exercise in fortitude--and one in which I'm called to rely on those around me--transforming annoyances into opportunities to witness provision, invention, and interdependence.
We have a favorite motto around the AmaniDC office: "Amani's not for the faint of heart." It's usually repeated when someone is precariously juggling products or working out the mental puzzle of (once again) reorganizing our limited space or lugging an over-sized box up the stairs. Another way of saying the same thing might be "Amani takes fortitude." I'm consistently amazed by the new challenges that arise with each new phase of AmaniDC's life. The past eight months at AmaniDC and getting to know our neighbor businesses have given me profound insight into the struggles of small business staff. Navigating legal and tax codes, setting up a working wireless network, or sorting out financial systems can consume the hours of idealistic, creative people who simply want to see their operation thrive. At the same time, I'm always impressed by God's provision for Amani in the form of ingenuity, encouragement, volunteers, and simple joys--like a surprise video chat with the women at Amani's center in Kigali, Rwanda.
I've certainly been stretched by the experience of the last eight months to work with diligence and determination at things I never imagined myself doing. It might not always look like mastery, but certainly resourcefulness. And it's not something to be done alone, but rather alongside the Amani family here in DC, throughout the US, and in Africa.
This fortitude is something demonstrated particularly well by my sisters in Africa. Their photos now hang above the product displays on the tall walls in the shop. They trade prayer requests with us regularly that we might carry one another's burdens. Their testimonies give me perspective on the daily struggles we face here. We are not alone in what seems like an endless string of struggles. They face these and many others with gratitude and grace. We each have our own difficulties with trusting God and choosing to pursue peace, but our partnership strengthens us in this task. They remind me to quit my whining and see challenges as an exercise in fortitude--and one in which I'm called to rely on those around me--transforming annoyances into opportunities to witness provision, invention, and interdependence.
Thank you, friends, for supporting this work.
Friday, August 7, 2009
I Spy with my Neighborhood Eye
I'm beginning to see early signs of a trend.
In the past two weeks, I've had three sightings of Amani bags on the shoulders of folks on the streets of Columbia Heights and Mt. Pleasant. First, it was the Black Limited Tote in front of the Rita's on 14th Street. Then I passed a woman on Newton Street carrying the new Khaki Kikoy Sack Purse. And just this morning, it was the Kikoy Simple Bag at the bus stop on Lamont Street.
Amani has arrived in the 'hood!
In the past two weeks, I've had three sightings of Amani bags on the shoulders of folks on the streets of Columbia Heights and Mt. Pleasant. First, it was the Black Limited Tote in front of the Rita's on 14th Street. Then I passed a woman on Newton Street carrying the new Khaki Kikoy Sack Purse. And just this morning, it was the Kikoy Simple Bag at the bus stop on Lamont Street.
Amani has arrived in the 'hood!
Some of my favorite things...
I posted some photos yesterday to the AmaniDC blog and linked them from my previous post. Along with those visual glimpses of the weekend, I also wanted to post some of my favorite moments.These little morsels of goodness include:
...overhearing comments from pleasantly surprised passersby about the beautiful products at our sidewalk display.
...little Adelaide walking into the shop and marching straight over to the "Watoto Nook" meant just for our younger visitors. She knew exactly what to do with the chalkboard wall and was enamored of the illustrated African folk tale books.
...catching up with supporters and friends who came by to check out the new space.
...hearing stories of Amani spreading through word of mouth and the visitors who trekked into DC just to visit the shop.
...meeting some of the girls and volunteers from Restoration Ministries who came to check out Amani. We got to share with them about internship opportunities at our shop....looks of recognition from Amani friends who have visited the centers in Africa when they saw photos of their friends now displayed in the shop.
...reassuring a small group of teenage boys that there was free food inside as their mom paused mid-step and declared, "Sorry guys, I've got to stop in here for a minute," upon eying a necklace on display.
...chatting with neighbors about how much we love Mt. Pleasant and our hopes to see it thrive.
...many bags full of products being carried out by happy visitors who helped us clean out our sale section!
Thanks to many of you who stopped by to see us and the newly-debuted Amani boutique. If you haven't had the chance to check it out yet, you're most welcome to come see us any time. We love visitors and often have some tasty treats to share!
Photos courtesy of Lou Ann Aepelbacher (www.angazaphoto.com).
Thursday, August 6, 2009
From the Grand Opening...
I just posted some photos on AmaniDC's info blog from the weekend's grand opening event. You can check them out here.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Opening. Grandly.
The AmaniDC center opened in the dead of winter during a recession. It was gutsy, to be sure. But, heartened by the fact that doors had been thrown wide open for us, we walked through them with faith. This morning, I walked into a shop flooded with summer's light and warmth. What at first felt stifling soon became a metaphor for the provision we've seen here in our small space on Mt. Pleasant Street. By mid-day yesterday the shop was bustling. Customers tried on dresses and marveled at the children's items. It's tremendously encouraging to see strong sales and such positive responses to people connecting to Amani through this location. Thank you for your support that has made this possible!
Although we opened our doors earlier this year, bringing together the various aspects of Amani's new DC home has taken several months. Now we're ready to "officially" welcome everyone to our new space at the end of the month. (In case you haven't heard, there's more information here.) Rachel has really been the mastermind behind the shop design. She's done a great job maximizing the space and infusing it with true Amani flavor. I'll post some images below to give a taste of the new look, but I definitely encourage visits to get the full effect.
It's continually a challenge to connect visitors with the spirit of Amani. Recently, I've been thinking about the distinctive spirit of the Amani centers in Africa, particularly the way they stand out as welcoming havens of serenity & prosperity in places rarely known as such. The women working together have been welcomed into Amani, and they eagerly extend this to others. Visitors of many cultures and backgrounds discover this and often marvel at Amani's uniqueness. Accomplishing such a spirit in the US inevitably looks a bit different. Personal connections with staff and volunteers are important, but we're also thinking through how to do this visually with images and words that highlight Amani's sense of care, community, sustainability, and dignity.
Another fun part of that effort will be "Watoto Hour" - a regular children's story hour that we're planning to get started next month. A group of moms from a local church are interested in helping us get this kicked off. And with the local library closing for renovations, we're hoping to connect with more neighborhood children and caregivers who have attended a similar event there. The possibilities are endless!
As promised, here are some photos from my friend Matt's photo shoot in June:
The AmaniDC team - Debbie, Brittany, Rachel, & Julia.
(Not pictured: lots of volunteers and another Rachel, our summer part-time Shipping Assistant/Saturday Manager)
This dress drew in countless passersby with its bold colors and striking design.
The jewelry display is a popular destination for most customers.
So many bags. So little space!
Julia makes use of the cozy Watoto (Children's) Nook.
The products that tell a story.
Mt. Pleasant by day.
Although we opened our doors earlier this year, bringing together the various aspects of Amani's new DC home has taken several months. Now we're ready to "officially" welcome everyone to our new space at the end of the month. (In case you haven't heard, there's more information here.) Rachel has really been the mastermind behind the shop design. She's done a great job maximizing the space and infusing it with true Amani flavor. I'll post some images below to give a taste of the new look, but I definitely encourage visits to get the full effect.
It's continually a challenge to connect visitors with the spirit of Amani. Recently, I've been thinking about the distinctive spirit of the Amani centers in Africa, particularly the way they stand out as welcoming havens of serenity & prosperity in places rarely known as such. The women working together have been welcomed into Amani, and they eagerly extend this to others. Visitors of many cultures and backgrounds discover this and often marvel at Amani's uniqueness. Accomplishing such a spirit in the US inevitably looks a bit different. Personal connections with staff and volunteers are important, but we're also thinking through how to do this visually with images and words that highlight Amani's sense of care, community, sustainability, and dignity.
Another fun part of that effort will be "Watoto Hour" - a regular children's story hour that we're planning to get started next month. A group of moms from a local church are interested in helping us get this kicked off. And with the local library closing for renovations, we're hoping to connect with more neighborhood children and caregivers who have attended a similar event there. The possibilities are endless!
As promised, here are some photos from my friend Matt's photo shoot in June:
The AmaniDC team - Debbie, Brittany, Rachel, & Julia. (Not pictured: lots of volunteers and another Rachel, our summer part-time Shipping Assistant/Saturday Manager)
This dress drew in countless passersby with its bold colors and striking design. 
The jewelry display is a popular destination for most customers.
So many bags. So little space!
Julia makes use of the cozy Watoto (Children's) Nook.
The products that tell a story.
Mt. Pleasant by day. Last thought: I've had fun in the past week setting up and experimenting with a Facebook fan page. You can become a fan of us here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
