Even though I was not in Mali my Peace Corps work continued. Giraffe a fair trade retailer had agreed to highlight Malian Bogolan during July's First Friday Art Walk. Priscilla the owner is also interested in helping out with design and product development. She has an idea for an upscale purse made from multimedia.
Giraffe is committed to supporting alternative methods of business that emphasizes sustainable 
and equitable living wages for artisans all around the world. Goals that she shares with the Bogolan Association of Koutiala. For all you on Vashon here is link to Giraffe's website; www.giraffevashon.comWorking with the Bogolan Association for the last year the artisans have focused on export ready skills as defined by the West African Trade Hub and Aid to Artisans. The skills include managing a bank account, processing an order with invoices and packing slips, quality control during production, and product design and development. Transportation has been a big obstacle in exporting. Partnering up with Priscilla at Giraffe is a great opportunity to developing products and a great outlet for exporting the goods.
Another work related task I planned was to visiting a Malian woman who has been buying products from the Bogolan Association for several years. She lives in Oregon and has been a great resource. It was a great visit we talked about bogolan and other export opportunities. Haoua Cheick understands where Malians are coming from yet helps me know what I need to work on with the group.
As one of my projects I hope to have a series of trainings such as product design, how to process an order, what does exporting intail, and tech exchanges with other bogolan and soap making places in Sagou. Sagou is a big tourist town here in Mali and the artisans there are much more developed as far as products and exporting.
