 Leslie Mittelberg
Position: Founder, Product Development
After successfully being a world traveler for many years (B.C.= before children and often considered a lazy bum who prolonged being unemployed), I stumbled upon Africa. As soon as I stepped onto her soil, I knew I was going to have a long-term love affair with this continent. Her vast, wild, and rich culture invaded my heart and lured me away from my conservative way of thinking. I was a human sponge while living in Kenya, absorbing the sites, smells, sounds and amazing people that I was surrounded by each day. I learned a great myself during my time there, and I became enchanted with handmade products that were flooding the tourist and export markets. Artisan enterprises hold little prestige and are of no importance to most governments in Africa. Little is done to provide training and support for homespun cottage industries, even though handmade crafts are a viable industry for many women and men who live in rural settings. Many artisans have never had the benefit of a formal education, yet manage to earn a living from producing handmade traditional products using passed-down techniques. Unfortunately and in more cases than I can count, without an outside influence, the exact item is replicated over and over again, thus cheapening the product in the eyes of the consumer. One time popular pieces are soon viewed as boring and old fashion. Realizing I was bound to Africa forever, I had to overcome a steep learning curve to pursue my dream of working directly with artisans, developing goods that were both contemporary and functional. Soon after returning the U.S.A. my education began with researching the international development marketplace and consumer preferences in the USA. I came up with some new designs and ideas that could easily translate into new and beautiful objects that the artisans could produce without sophisticated tools. Swahili Imports has existed for 14 years now; I’ll compare it to a child that has a mind of its own. It develops and grows in directions I never could have imagined, and it has now taken on its own energy. I am blessed with both incredibly devoted suppliers and staff, and all committed to the same cause. Our passion is to educate, improve livelihoods and bring independence to rural Africa communities. Our company is presently doing product development work in Kenya, Tanzania, the Sudan, Uganda, South Africa, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal, and Ethiopia. I am truly grateful to our suppliers, our staff and most of all our customers. Please be completely aware of the difference you make in hundreds of lives when purchasing our products. Asante sana , Leslie Mittelberg , founder
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