On this episode, the guys talk to Olowo-n'djo Tchala, founder & CEO of The Alaffia Foundation, (TAF). TAF is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to empower African communities through the advancement of Fair Trade, education, sustainable living and gender equality. They execute their Alaffia Empowerment Projects in Togo, West Africa that support Fair Trade producer communities. TAF provides a platform for individuals and organizations around the world to partner with Alaffia, by sharing resources, skills, time and money. This public support is critical to Alaffia impacting more lives in Togo. Empowerment Projects are Alaffia’s mission in action, funded by the sale of their products. Targeted development ensures basic needs are met for a dignified life. This allows Togolese communities to provide their skills and knowledge to the rest of the world and rise out of poverty.
01:21 – Justin shares how listeners can find GCP online, Olowo-n'djo talks about how often he gets to go back home to Togo, and talks about where he grew up in Togo. He discusses when he began to understand ways he could help uplift the African people, what life was like for him as a child in Togo, and explains how that experience has drove him to do what he is doing today. He talks about how TAF came to be, how the creation of the products was a way for them to generate money to support their mission, and how their business not only helped with creating jobs in Africa, it also created jobs locally as well.
13:13 - Olowo-n'djo talks about how he ended up in Olympia, where the name of the company came from, and the real meaning of Alaffia. He talks about what some of the difficulties are in getting out of poverty, the guiding principles of the organization, and the importance of us to see the world as one community. He talks about the importance of having to do multiple things to make an impact on poverty, the reasoning behind planting 90,000 trees, and how deforestation is contributing to starvation.
25:52 - Olowo-n'djo shares that 1 of 16 women in Togo have a chance to loose their life in giving birth, the impact that has on the children they leave behind, and discusses the schools that Alaffia has built. He talks about the other project of donating bicycles Togo, the impact that has on preventing children from dropping out school, and the amount of human trafficking that is happens in Togo. He talks about the importance of family and culture to him, how the company blew up in 2018, and the organizations intent to make their products accessible and affordable to all American communities.
39:08 – Olowo-n'djo talks about the want to give everyone the ability to give in the world, the fact that changes can be made by things as simple as being mindful about what you purchase, and what he does to relax and have fun. He talks about exercising daily being important to him and that though he knows Alaffia has made a huge stride on removing poverty, he always feels like there is more to do. The guys closedown the show reflecting on the amazing conversation.
Thank you Olowo-n'djo for joining the podcast and sharing the awesome things TAF is doing! Special Guest: Olowo-n'djo Tchala.