ABOUT Daraja Imports

FROM THE FOUNDERS

Many people around the World have creative business ideas, and in developing countries many are socially and economically marginalized. The producers lack economic opportunity and often face difficult challenges in finding markets and customers for their products. After living in Tanzania for over seven years working with the rural poor, we know this to be a fact. For the poor to get out of poverty they must make a profit, and we believe that through partnering with local entrepreneurs in East and Southern Africa, we can help them achieve this goal. Daraja Imports has set out to make a difference by securing and creating jobs throughout East and Southern Africa. What became an idea is now a reality, and we're making a lasting impact on the budding entrepreneurs in remote places while offering unique, fabulous and high quality products to the public.  

Thank you for supporting Daraja Imports. Every gift has a story, and with every purchase together we are making a difference in the lives of our African Artisans and their families. Together we are creating and sustaining jobs for the poor. We are Imports with Purpose!

WHY CHOOSE US

Daraja Imports™ is a registered fair trade company in the USA and we have set out to bridge the economic gap between rural East and Southern Africans and the USA. We have achieved this through partnering with local groups and organizations throughout Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland and South Africa. We are empowering these rural men and women and making a difference in the lives of so many through unique handcrafts that represent a fusion of traditional art form and creative contemporary high quality designs. All products are made by different groups of enterprising, rural women, many of whom are widows, a group of physically disabled Tanzanian people, young adults orphaned by genocide and HIV/AIDS, and women who have been affected by HIV/AIDS either personally or within their family. All products are fair trade made from local, sustainable and/or recycled material. 

Using fair trade relationships, Daraja Imports is much more than just a trading partner. We have a personal, mutual, and extensive relationship with many of the product creators in keeping all of the values of Daraja Imports at the forefront. Many people have hopes and dreams, and together we are helping the impoverished realize theirs.

Daraja means "bridge" in Swahili, which is the native language of Tanzania.