Shopping online with Amani just got easier!

Amani’s online shop has some special new features, just in time for the holidays.  Stop in and check it out.

Easy search option to locate items.

Simple color selection.

Additional product photos.

And a fresh, new look!

Take a peek at some NEW products ideal for holiday gifts…

Original Travel Tote

Original Wristlet

West African Robertsport Clutch

We’re excited about these changes and want to share the joy with you.  Get FREE SHIPPING on your order now through December 15th!

*Place orders by December 15th for delivery by Christmas.

Check back regularly throughout the season for updates to our online shop.

A volunteer from Jefferson City, Missouri visited Amani ya Juu’s center in Nairobi, Kenya this summer and came home eager to share what she had experienced.  She met women at Amani who had found hope and opportunities much like she was given.  Now she’s giving back by supporting Amani and selling products this holiday season.

Ready her story in this article by the Jefferson City News Tribune.  And check out her sale if you’re in the area!

Zed from Eritrea stitches a scrap bowl, which will be sold to support Amani ya Juu.

Thanks to Lori and Amani’s many dedicated volunteers for your partnership with the women of Amani ya Juu!

The youth of Amani Sasa are learning through experience about courage, perseverance, and peace.  And others are too!

Ruth & Yayo hit the ropes!

Ruth Deam works in the Amani Kenya office in Nairobi.  As with most women at Amani, she is also involved with Amani’s outreach programs as part of sharing God’s peace.  She recently joined Amani Sasa (“Peace Now”) for a sleepover trip at Diguna outside of Nairobi.  Amani Sasa is  an extension of the Amani Watoto children’s camp which uses outdoor adventure treks to build relationships that impart the principles of peace to teenage children of Amani women.  At Diguna, the group caught up on happenings as an Amani Sasa family and enjoyed adventures on the ropes course.  She wrote the following reflection after her experience.

One of the fun activities this time included a five-stage rope-climbing challenge. Foni was one of the first to volunteer for this particular activity.  Originally from Sudan, Foni is about 15 years old, and her mother is one of the four women who pioneered Amani. She nearly chickened out as she began the rope-climbing, but with encouragement she took the first step. By the time she finished the first stage, we didn’t think she would continue on to the second. But she did!

Jiji, another daughter of Lucy from Sudan

Despite the fact that many of the young adults like Foni were scared, one facilitator rushed them along and did little to inspire their courage. But Foni didn’t listen to the discouragement.  She kept on and on and on, until we all clapped for her and the others for going all the way and doing such an outstanding job.

In our journey, there are those to encourage us and those to discourage us.  But I know that God gives us the strength to take another step forward.  We can make it just like Foni. Yes, she had a lot of discouragement, but she didn’t quit.  She kept on and on until she finished and then started to cheer for others.

We certainly face a lot of trials.  Sometimes we are not so sure what to think or do. When my husband passed away, I never thought I would make it this far.  I don’t fully understand God’s way of doing things.  But I can stand and say that God has brought me this far.  And I know without a doubt that just as Foni was able to finish her rope-climbing, God is not about to abandon me now.  He will walk with us.

During their excursion the Amani Sasa group played a bit, and then sat together to share how they were doing.  They shared a few good things for which they are thanking God, how they are practicing the lessons from Amani Sasa, and challenges faced during the last school term.

Below are some of the thanksgivings:

Beltra, nephew of Zed from Eritrea with Dennis, son of Josephine from Congo

• Well-being through the term in health & safety.
• Beltra finished Form 4 (French school) successfully, passed exams, and improved her grades.
• Yayo was selected in her school to be part of a conference called Justice for All Children.
• Most of them are now prefects (leaders) in their schools.
• Dennis and Diana Kate were part of National Music & Drama festivals this year.

We also shared about things we want to pray for:

• To keep focused and strong as Christians and not fall to negative peer pressure.
• That those who are prefects at school would be good leaders.
• Good coordination and planning with their involvement in school activities.
• Marline, Daniel, Etienne, Eunice, Jiji, Yayo, and Margaret are all candidates sitting for national exams in October.

It’s evident that these young ones are learning the importance of standing up for peace and growing in their faith.  Thank you for joining with the Amani family passing peace to these and many lives.

Amani Sasa is a special program of Amani ya Juu and funded by donations. You can ensure that Amani Sasa continues passing peace to these young leaders by donating online.

You can also help Amani remain self-sustaining with a purchase from our online shop.

As any Amani volunteer knows, nothing compares to the thrill of opening a box of products that just arrived from Amani Kenya.  Pulling back the layers of bags.  Unfastening the banana leaf boxes to peek at the jewelry.  Discovering new designs and bright colors.  These affordable, functional products make great gifts that speak of peace with boldness and excellence.  They are the pride of the women who crafted them.  And it shows when the box flaps are finally pulled back after many miles of travel.

Amani volunteer Julie Lapeyrolerie certainly knew that excitement when she recently received a box for her October 24th gathering in Austin, Texas.  She soon went to work capturing the beauty of the products with her camera–and the result is stunning!  She shared about her involvement with Amani in this blog post, which has some great photos of some current Amani designs.  We’re sharing a few below, but we recommend also checking out her site.

The women at Amani Kenya are working diligently to prepare boxes full of products in time for many holiday sales throughout the US.  More information on partnering with them in this way, visit our Volunteer info page.

Recent months have been busy at Amani’s main center in Nairobi, Kenya.  The women have been stitching bags, dying fabric, experimenting with new designs, and boxing up products in preparation for upcoming of holiday sales in Africa and the US.

Even with plenty of work, the Amani family continues to care for one another.  Here, Kenya Country Director Joyce Muraya shares some recent highlights from her work at the Amani Kenya center:

• In mid-August, Amani Kazi (Amani’s men’s group called “Peace Work” in Swahili) spent a week repairing and refurbishing the playground in the Nairobi Garden Cafe.
• Last week Amani Kazi visited an Amani lady’s husband who has been sick for a long time.  Their visit and prayers were an encouragement to this man and his family.
• We have a new lady who joined Amani about a month ago.  She shared with her neighbors in crisis about the emotional, physical, and spiritual support she has received at Amani.  Even though she couldn’t solve her friend’s problem, she told her, “I have received so much.  One thing I can do is share this situation at Amani.  I know that the ladies will faithfully pray for you.”
• One of the ladies shared recently during morning prayer about trouble with her disrespectful step-children.  Mama Josephine, the Amani Watoto children’s program coordinator, visited the family and spoke with the children for an evening, giving of her time and resources.  The woman returned to Amani with a glowing testimony of changed behavior, even saying that the children had recognized her as their new mom.
• One lady who has struggled for a while to make ends meet came to me with great news: “Yesterday I was able to buy meat and fruit for my family and my daughter is doing well in school.” God has provided work for the Amani ladies, and they are able to sustain their families.
• Sales from the Garden Café funded a refinishing of the kitchen floor.  It looks great!

These are snap-shots and there are many other stories.

We are blessed to labor in this field.

Thankfully,

Joyce

The Amani women never stop appreciating your friendship.  Thank you for all the ways you encourage them with visits, e-mails, gifts, and purchases.

The holidays are a great time to continue supporting Amani by giving gifts that represent lives changed by peace.  Bags, home products, children’s items, or jewlery – there’s plenty to choose from in our webstore.

Blessings of peace to you and your family from the Amani family.

A group of volunteers partnering with the Amani women by selling their products received some special attention this week with this article in the Commercial Appeal, a daily newspaper of Memphis, Tennessee.

Amani is grateful for volunteers like the women of Hope Presbyterian Church who will share Amani products at the women’s ministry Market on Thursday, September 24 from noon to 8pm.  The Market will take place at 8500 Walnut Grove.  Check them out if you’re in the area!

“Women are the same everywhere. We have hard times. They have hard times. They’re trying to make a living. We’re trying to make a living. We understand each other even with the language barrier.”

-Pam Bramlage, women’s ministry special events coordinator at Hope Presbyterian Church

The men of Amani Kazi (“Peace Work”) were pleased to undertake improvements to the playground in the garden cafe at Amani Nairobi.  A few years of wear and tear left it in need of some attention.  Visitors can now enjoy bringing their children to an even safer, more beautiful playground.

Check out the photos below and be sure to stop by if you’re passing through Nairobi for some “Mexi-Kenyan” food and a cup of chai or coffee.

Two of Amani's groundskeepers, both named Jackson, contributed to the renovations along with the men of Amani Kazi.

announcing…
Fresh styles for fall
and FREE shipping through September!

Get a jump start on holiday shopping.
Find a treasure in our SALE section.
There’s always something new to discover!

Take advantage of free shipping on these and many other original Amani designs through September 30.

“Haba na haba hujaza kibaba.”

- a Swahili proverb on saving meaning,

“Little by little eventually fills the basket.”

Don’t be shy.
Shop online now!

Amani’s Washington, DC location encompasses our US warehouse, a retail boutique, and the main US office.  Amani is proud to announce the grand opening of its youngest daughter center.  If you’re in the DC area, be sure to chck out next week’s event or stop by anytime.  More info at amanidc.wordpress.com.

AmaniDC’s Grand Opening

Friday, July 31st
2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
&
Saturday, August 1st
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• our largest sale selection yet
  
• the watoto children’s nook
• chai & refreshments
• raffles
• free gift with purchase of $25 or more
  

The women of Amanhor ava mw’Ijuru (Amani’s center in Bujumbura, Burundi) have been redesigning products and filling their shop with plenty of bold patterns and striking colors.  Take a peek and be sure to spread the word about this shop in Bujumbura!

You can also learn more about the Amahoro ava mw’Ijuru center in the post below.