LEAKY Collection

27-09-2010

“Our journey at The Leakey Collection has been incredible. You have been a friend and a supporter of our mission, and we are so thankful and believe that “living a life of purpose” is there for all of us.” - Katy & Philip Leakey

“We love World Challenge and all that you are doing to bring awareness to the public!” - Kristan Fazio, Leakey Collection

World Challenge viewers first got to meet Phillip and Mary Leakey in 2008 in the Maasai Production episode. Their project was originally set up to support the Maasai tribes in their part of Kenya diversify their livelihoods after a devastating drought in 2001. Landowners with a long association in the country – Philip is the son of renowned paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey – the couple developed a business to celebrate the jewellery-making skills of the local Maasai population. When we met them the products from the Leakey Collection were already on sale in nearly 20 countries around the world.

In the last two years the group has added new products to the range, all helping to support the Maasai community. Beads for Learning is a necklace created out of all the extra beads they have accumulated over the years - in addition to recycling beads, it provides work to the Maasai women, plus 100% of the profits are used to pay teachers salaries. The hope is to reduce the teacher/student ratio in the area, which is currently 80 students to 1 teacher, down to 40 students to one teacher.

They’ve added Acacia Wood Home Interior products that are made out of the wood from fallen Acacia trees. Maasai men are learning new skills working with the wood, such as carving and hand turning techniques, to make beautiful salad bowls in different styles, trays and accessories. There’s also now a skin care product line using Marula Oil, “The Massai women have used this for skin care for years” says Cindy West, who helps with promotion, “It is the secret to their natural beauty!”

You can follow the goings on at the collection on their great blog – and hear about the local wildlife, new products and even about Rasta, Phillip’s pet Mongoose.

Posted by Oliver Lamb