DBC manages visit of U.S. Ambassador to Togo for client Alaffia

News Release
April 4, 2017

U.S. Ambassador to Togo to visit Alaffia headquarters in Tumwater ahead of AGOA Summit

Ambassador to meet with federal, state and local elected officials and business leaders April 11-13, 2017 to promote trade between WA and Togo.

Tumwater, WA – U.S. Ambassador David Gilmour, who represents the United States in the nation of Togo, will travel to Tumwater April 11-13 to tour the headquarters of natural body care products company Alaffia. The company has been selected to present their success story at the 38-nation AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) summit being held in Togo in August.

Ambassador Gilmour will participate in a number of events while he is in the Olympia area to discuss why Washington state and the nation of Togo could mutually benefit from a stronger trade relationship. Alaffia’s founders, and the Alaffia Empowerment Council, made up of four women leaders from the nation of Togo, will join him.

Alaffia is a fair trade organization. Raw materials for its body care products are derived from the shea nut that is collected and refined into shea butter in Togo, then sent to Alaffia’s Tumwater manufacturing facility where it is turned into popular shampoos, lotions, soaps and other natural body care products.

Alaffia was founded by Olowo-n’djo Tchala and his wife Prairie Rose Hyde to create a private enterprise that could sustain villages in Togo where Tchala was raised. The products became such a hit with socially conscious consumers; the business quickly grew from their garage in Olympia to a 100,000-square-foot facility in Tumwater.

More than 120 people are employed in Tumwater. And 11,000 villagers in Togo work directly or indirectly as shea nut, grass and baobab collectors, basket weavers and other cooperative members.

Since its launch in 2004, Alaffia’s empowerment initiatives have resulted in 57,575 trees planted, 32,842 school supply recipients, 7,482 bikes distributed, 24,927 eyeglasses donated and more than 4,463 babies safely delivered in Togo.

Alaffia’s fair trade practices, which include paying four times the current wage in Togo, are seen as a model for advancing gender equality. This has led to an invitation to Alaffia to showcase their uniquely successful cooperative at the AGOA Summit.

News media is invited to attend two events being held during the ambassador’s visit:

Alaffia Headquarters Tour and Roundtable Discussion on Trade

Wednesday, April 12, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

8109 River Drive SE, Tumwater, WA (near Olympia Airport)

Event Details: Participants will include Ambassador Gilmour, U.S. Representative Denny Heck, WA Secretary of State Kim Wyman, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, federal, state, and local officials, and business association and chamber representatives.

Community & Student Symposium at Saint Martin’s University

Wednesday, April 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Norman Worthington Center

5300 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA

Event Details: Washing Away Poverty with Socially Responsible Soap is a free community symposium. Panelists will include Ambassador David Gilmour, Olowo-n’djo Tchala, Prairie Rose Hyde and the Alaffia Empowerment Council made up of four women leaders from the nation of Togo.

To learn more about Alaffia, visit Alaffia.com.

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News Coverage Roundup

KING5 News Seattle

http://www.king5.com/news/local/olympia/tumwater-company-gets-visit-from-us-ambassador-to-togo/430816054

The Olympian / Story on the Alaffia tour

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article144294104.html

The Olympian / Video of the tour

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article144295589.html

Thurston Talk Article on Ambassador Visit

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2017/04/10/alaffia-washing-away-poverty-symposium/

The Olympian / Saint Martin’s Symposium Announcement