Walking down South Broadway in Nyack, it”™s not unusual to see Kajogo Iguna seated in a folding chair on the sidewalk, a spindly carved giraffe by his side.
But once you approach the entrance to his new shop, African Arts and Crafts Ltd., Iguna leaps up from his little oasis of outdoor advertising to see if you need help.
“I”™ve been sitting outside and talking to everybody,” he says. “I think I”™m good and friendly, and that”™s the key.”
Indeed, Iguna is always ready to offer a quick tour of his cozy space, tucked into a small retail mall at 85 S. Broadway and explain the background of the shop he opened last month.
The storefront is the latest incarnation of Iguna”™s business, which dates back to 2002. For a time, he was a tenant of the former Nanuet Mall. Since then, he has become a frequent participant in Nyack”™s outdoor street fairs.
Now, he”™s hoping his longtime network of customers ”“ and plenty of new ones ”“ will seek out his new boutique for its various handcrafted items ranging from wall hangings and baskets to clothing, jewelry and sculpture.
He”™ll point out artwork crafted on banana fibers or show off a basket filled with unique hair accessories, a current bestseller in the warm weather. Prices vary, from the carved letter openers for $5 up to elaborate sculptures that near $500.
The whole of the merchandise is handcrafted by artisans in Kenya, Iguna”™s native country.
Iguna stays in touch with the artists and craftspeople of Kenya through visits and frequent phone calls. A onetime pastor, Iguna works closely with the people of his home church, Karwamba in Meru.
He works with them to design new products for the international market. His company then buys the goods at fair trade prices. Iguna adds he also follows fair trade principles in all business dealings.
The shop, though, is more than just a retail venture. He was touched, he says, by the plight of many of these workers ”“ often elderly people and mothers who make and sell art to support their families. Iguna is committed to giving back, donating a portion of all sales to the artisans.
“People who have lost loved ones to malaria and AIDS, 20 percent goes to support them,” he says.
That money, he says, is often used for basic needs ranging from food and water to clothing, housing, education and medical services.
“My intention is to actually try and help these people so they can educate their children.”
Iguna, a longtime Rockland resident with master”™s degrees in philosophy, sociology and anthropology and who also teaches part-time (sociology and ethics) at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, says for now, the shop is a priority.
“I just need to concentrate on this and develop it. The main thing is trying to help the people back in Kenya. ”¦The business of helping other people is the most important to me.”
