Zawadisha
Our founder, Jen Gurecki, had a wild idea more than 20 years ago: give women access to capital and credit, and their lives will be radically improved.
Today, Zawadisha is run by an all-Kenyan, all-women team who provide small loans to help finance women's livelihoods. Jen remains an active part of the organization, dedicating her time to supporting the Kenya team, organizing cycling and cultural tours in Kenya, and sourcing the most beautiful, exceptionally crafted, and ethically sourced handmade goods from across Africa.
100% of sales and trip revenue are invested into Zawadisha's microlending program that has served thousands of women in Kenya.
Keep scrolling for details on Zawadisha's trips in Kenya and Jen's favorite handcrafted African goods.
Handmade by artisans across the continent
From Africa with Love
Someone always needs a gift. And it might just be you ;)
A Cycling Safari You'll Never Forget
This 15-day cycling and safari trip through Kenya will have you pedaling through the Maasai Mara and making your way to the white sand beaches of Diani. Along the way, you'll meet the women of Zawadisha, glamp in safari tents, make lasting memories with new friends, and be wowed by the wildlife.
The TIME OF YOUR LIFE includes:
- All meals, including a special welcome and farewell dinner
- Accommodation in mid-range lodges and guest houses + glamping under the stars (double occupancy)
- Highly qualified local guides
- Support vehicle to carry your gear (and maybe you!)
- Wildlife game drives
- Community visits with Zawadisha
- Post-ride relaxation on the white sand beaches of Diani
Cycling Safari
We're teaming up with Zawadisha for a 15-day cycling trip through Kenya where you'll pedal through the Maasai Mara and make your way to the white sand beaches of Diani. Along the way, you'll get to meet the women of Zawadisha, glamp in safari tents, make lasting memories with new friends, and be wowed by the wildlife.
A Tree For A Ski
At Coalition, we're quite well known for our advocacy around gender equity, but what is lesser known is we weave gender into our commitment to sustainability. For every ski or snowboard we sell, we plant trees in rural Kenya in collaboration with the non-profit Zawadisha.
We fund the women of the Neema Women's Group to care for the Change Makers Garden that you can find down a long and dusty trail, only accessible by motorbike or foot, in the rural, drought-stricken county of Taita-Taveta. In this region, residents live with the impacts of climate change each and every day. Planting trees in this part of the world makes a big difference:
- Reforesting with Indigenous trees helps to revitalize the land and encourage the rain, which is vital for people whose livelihoods depend on their ability to grow their own food.
- The fruit trees they plant will bear fruit in two years, which will provide both income generation and food for the entire household.
- Women are paid to train their peers on how to plant the trees and they are paid to care for the garden, creating jobs in an area where few exist.
Our commitment to planting trees goes beyond offsetting our environmental impact. It's about deliberate actions that will help to make women's lives better, support vibrant under-resourced communities, and help repair the damage caused by deforestation.