Feel Good Friday - UniquEco

Flip flop rhino

Those of you who pay attention to things like days of the week will notice that it's Saturday, not Friday. I've had a busy week and fell behind so in the interest of getting this post out before it becomes Feel Good Tuesday, I'm recycling an old story about... recycled flip flops! (groan if you must, I can't hear you)

Julie Church & Me

This is the story of UniquEco, the Flip Flop Recycling Company based in Nairobi, Kenya. I learned about them on my travels through Africa in 2007.  Founded by Julie Church, a marine conservationist and native Kenyan, the company works with people on the coast of Kenya to collect washed up flip flops and turn them into art.

Before they become art

Say what? Here's what. If you're reading this blog, I suspect you're well aware of the harmful effects of plastic pollution in the oceans.  You bring your own bag to the store and your own water bottle to the park. Great, me too!  But did you have any idea what a problem footwear causes?

Flip flop necklace anyone?

Flip flops are the footwear of choice for many people around the world. The problem is, discarded flip flops tend to find their way into streams, rivers and eventually the oceans. Currents carry this trash across the miles to the coastline of Northern Kenya. Not wanting to see their beaches covered in trash, the people of Lamu began collecting the flip flops, turning them into art and selling them to the tourists.

Artists working in the studio

UniquEco works with the artists on the coast as well as house a team of artists in Nairobi who work on flip flops collected locally. The brand of flip flop helps identify where it came from. Although some wash up from as close as Tanzania, others make their way to Kenya from Indonesia and China! Sadly there is a never ending supply of flip flops for the artist of UniquEco.

Masai artists artists at work

The good news is, by creating art made from trash people not only clean up the beaches but they also earn an income through their creativity and raise awareness of environmental issues. Julie believe very strongly in the power of art as an important medium for conservation and development. To learn more about her and see the artists (and me) at work, you can check this short video I made back in 2008.

Production Manager,
Ali Bwanamusa

So there you have it. Buy some flip flop art, share this post with your friends or just bask in a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that the people of Africa are using their creativity to improve both their own situations and the health of the oceans.

Latest Video: Africa Takes Action!

I've been invited to speak to the Alameda Rotary Club on Tuesday, September 8th.

As part of my presentation tomorrow, I'll show two videos. The first documenting my Habitat trip to Madagascar:

The second, a new compilation titled "Africa Takes Action" highlights the work being done by a variety of small groups throughout Africa. Some of you will recognize the abbreviated stories of the Boomu Women's Group in Uganda, the flip flop group in Kenya and the Mazingira Monkey Man.

A new piece in the mix is the Bulugha Farm School in Cintsa, South Africa, which is supported in part by donations from visitors to Buccaneers Backpackers. The school has 193 students but only 3 classrooms and 3 toilets. Every week, the students present a concert and in return visitors are asked to provide a donation which supports a feeding scheme that enables the students to have two meals a day.

So check the videos out and wish me luck!

UniquEco Designs Needs Your Vote!

Ooh, it's been awhile since I've posted a blog and, sparing you the gory details (not very blog-like of me), let me just say that I'm going to get back on track!

Many of you will remember that I put a short film together for UniquEco Designs when I returned from Africa.   I'm very happy to report that they are one of twelve finalists in the World Challenge 08!!

World Challenge 08 is a global competition aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level.  The winner will receive a grant of $20,000 to put back into their project/business, and two runners up will each receive $10,000.  Your vote for UniquEco Designs can help give them the resources they need to open up new markets for their products.

When you sign in to vote you are asked why you picked this particular project.  My answer:  "I met Julie Church when I was traveling in Kenya and made a short film about her business.  I was (and continue to be) impressed by the way this work cleans the environment, provides a sustainable income for the workers AND celebrates art as a medium for conservation.  The people at UniquEco are doing great work and I'd love for them to get the support they need to do more."

The polls are open now and you can vote up through November 21st (midnight GMT).  

It takes nothing but a moment of your time.  I love giving away other people's money for a good cause, don't you?

Video Recap

Last week I went back to my former employer for a visit and a lunchtime video show.  It was great to see people again and wonderful to be able to share my adventures them.  Many people wanted to know where to learn more about the people we saw and where to see the movies again.

As promised... below is a recap of the movies we saw and links to the corresponding websites. The easiest way to find the movies themselves (and save me hours of uploading time) is by going to the Hey Miss K Channel on YouTube.  You can also become a subscriber so that you'll be notified any time I post something new and exciting!

The only video you won't find is the Habitat Madagascar video... right now that one is 19 minutes and too long to put on YouTube unless I cut it in two - which I have yet to do.

Boomu Women's Group

A group in Uganda that promotes community tourism (stay with locals, tour the neighborhood, learn how to cook local food) as a way to raise money for projects that benefit the entire community. 

  

UniquEco Designs

A business in Kenya focused on turning flip flops into art, it's a win-win-win.  Local people earn a sustainable income working here, used flip flops are taken off the beaches and helping clean up the environment, you and I can buy all sorts of groovy items in the name of making the world a better place.

Mazingira Monkey Project

A man in Tanzania who works with his wife to clean up their town.  He collects plastic bags from the streets and (after washing and disinfecting them) then uses them to stuff toy animals he and his wife sew at home.  Although he sometimes doesn't sell enough animals to support his family, he still buys food and clothes for homeless children who he asks to help him collect the bags.

If you're interested in ordering toys from him... your best bet (for those of you who work together) is to coordinate one big order, collect the cash and send it to him via Western Union. You can make your arrangements by emailing him and you can feel free to copy me on that email to help smooth it all out.

Habitat for Humanity - Global Village Program

Global Village is a 2 week volunteer program that brings people from around the world together to build houses with those in need.  The GV team (that's you) works with local people to build the house(s) and has the pleasure of experiencing a country and a culture in a much different way than passing through as a tourist.

Una and I lead trips every two years or so, and while there's nothing planned right now - I would encourage you to go to Habitat's site to see what current trips are available and/or let me know you want to be on our early bird notification list so you'll know when we'll be leading another trip.

Thanks for your interest in these projects and these people.  They rock and so do you.

Que Sera, Sera

Hey All,

Well... the monkey man and I didn't win the film contest but by jove - we were in it!  

The film got a good reception and the entire event was a fun time.  There were some great films that made it into the finals and I am thrilled that I was among them.  One of my favorites was the winner in both the comedy category and the overall winner for the night and you can view it here:  The Job

What next for me?  Essentially to keep on truckin'.  

I've got much more footage from Africa to edit and get online (much more I tell you).  Two new videos on the Boomu Women's Group in Uganda and the flip flop recycling company in Kenya can be found here:  Miss K on YouTube

Meanwhile, I'm getting back in the swing of improv - and will let you know if I become part of a regular gig as that is the goal - AND I just took a job as a tour guide.  Not any tour guide, mind you.  I will be leading Segway tours in San Francisco!  No, I haven't ever ridden a Segway before and yes, they will give us some training.

The job should start around mid-May which gives me time to brush up on my history of all things San Francisco - but mostly things you can see from Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park and Crissy Field.

So - keep checking in on the blog or on YouTube to see more videos from Africa and when you're ready to roll along the streets of San Francisco, give me a shout!

Miss K