100% of profits support orphan education in Kenya

Always A Bridesmaid Never A Bride

by Kate Holby January 25, 2022 1 Comment

Always A Bridesmaid Never A Bride

Sara and I have been finalists in five startup competitions, looking to raise capital for Ajiri Tea. Most of the time we are beat out by someone promising change driven by "cutting-edge" technology and huge growth projections. Employing women to handcraft the packaging, supporting small tea farmers, and sending orphans to school---why, there wasn't anything new about that. Time and time again it seemed like potential grant givers were so blinded by the idea of newness and disruptive change that they couldn't see the value in something tried-and-true. Or maybe they couldn't see the value in something handcrafted in "Africa." Or maybe it all just seemed like women's work.

Making it to the finals but never winning is starting to feel like "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." But we now know that a marriage to these good-looking grants isn't our destiny. While others are reaching up to catch buzzing flies, we are reaching down planting seeds.

Thirteen years later, these seeds are pushing through the red clay ground of generational poverty. Reuben is employed as a secretary in a hospital because of his computer skills learned through Ajiri. Christine is using her Ajiri earnings to send her children to school and started a hair salon.

So here is my pitch to you. Stop thinking about value. We both know that a life worth living isn't based on ROI. Maybe our company is revolutionary. Or maybe our company is ordinary. But we know that a good life is made up of kindness and risks and sunrises and energizing growth and the sound of cicadas in the afternoon and a shared pot of tea.




Kate Holby
Kate Holby

Author


1 Response

Susan Shea
Susan Shea

May 03, 2022

amen!!

let’s not be daunted! the money will come. it’s an avenue the Universe can easily work thru— it’s set up so nicely, so humanely, so efficiently, so beautifully. the Truth will win here, i’m sure of it!

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in News

2023-2024 Ajiri Impact Report
2023-2024 Ajiri Impact Report

by Kate Holby September 12, 2024

Continue Reading →

Everything Is Handmade
Everything Is Handmade

by Kate Holby September 05, 2024

At Ajiri, our "handmade" is our pride. We don't want you to turn away, we want you to see what we see—the strong and talented and hopeful people behind our product. This tea is so smooth because it was handpicked. Sure, Kenyan tea is largely exported. But it is also enjoyed at home, commonly made over an open flame in a large sufria (pot), where fresh milk and lots of sugar are added. 

Continue Reading →

Ants and Owls  The joyful freedom of camp
Ants and Owls The joyful freedom of camp

by Kate Holby April 22, 2024

The joyful freedom of summer camp. On our last night of the annual Camp Ajiri held at a large farm in Kenya, we were walking through a field with our 20 scholars, flashlights in hand, looking for owls and chameleons, when everyone started to run and shout "siafu!" Translation: army ants. There were shrieks of pain followed by shrieks of laughter. All ar

Continue Reading →