We were humbled by Maridadi.co.ke and Totallytumba.com, two online clothing stores launched in 2010 and run by four sisters who want to make life better for the girl-child.
Yasmin Somji, Zarah Webber, Neemah Ahamed and Farah Ahamed told TechMoran they sell affordable, new haute couture and vintage high street fashions as well as other items but not necessarily for money. The sisters say the increasing rate of school dropout rates by adolescent girls in Kenya moved them.They for sometime thought they were helpless but something made them believed there was a way they could help. Discovering that sanitation was the root cause propelled them to think fast. Then the shops were born.
With just their savings, they sat down in 2010 and began the online boutiques with a sole aim of pushing girls back into schools and supplying them with free pants. It wasn’t an easy task but they have remained focused and promise never to falter. With every purchase made on Maridadi, mainly for high end and latest fashion designs or from Totally Tumba which is for second hand clothes and books, an underprivileged girl receives a donation of an undergarment or a pair of panties!
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According to UNICEF underprivileged school girls in Kenya miss up to 40 school days in a year, due to their menstrual cycle as they do not have access to proper sanitary towels or underwear. Their health and dignity is compromised every month as are their chances of success.
Therefore, Maridadi and Totallytumba believe that change begins with basics and decided to make a small contribution towards mitigation of the problem that girls face, through an awareness and collection campaign. (You can visit their Facebook page: Panties with Purpose and on their website for more details.)
Maridadi and Totallytumba told TechMoran, “We have distributed 18,950 panties to more than 4,700 girls/women in 40 locations spanning from Siaya in Western Province to Lukenya in Northern Kenya, from the Hawkers Market in the city centre to the urban slum schools of Kibera and Mathare, and finally to the women inmates at Langata Prison. Each girl received 3 or 4 pairs each.”
Between January and November, 2012 Maridadi distributed undergarments to 3,051 girls (each girl received 2 (sometimes 3) pairs each~ 6,890 pairs of panties were distributed) in 27 locations across Kenya. “In two years we have assisted more than 7,000 girls and distributed more than 25,000 pairs of undergarments in more than 70 locations nation wide,” they added.
Maridadi and Totallytumba realise the need for teamwork if they have to impact the whole nation.
They have dilligent disribution partners including SHE Polycom Project, The Iddi Achieng Trust, The Ummah Foundation, The Jitambue Project, World Youth Alliance, Swahiba Youth Networks, Kenya Girl Guides Association, Project Deen, Family Bank, Dignitas Project, Intuitive Motion and the Amara Trust.
Some of their corporate sponsors include Virgin Atlantic, Google Kenya, The 3Z Foundation, Mc Frys Chicken, Zucchini Greengrocers, Crystal Ice Cream, Kapa Oil, GSK and the Nakumatt Supermarket chain.
They also have a team to spread the word. Their campaigners include primary and secondary schools, universities, informal networks, kitty groups, corporate firms, institutions and community based organisations( CBOs). Curves Gym International, Lexis Nexus Hong Kong, Stanbic Kenya, Chama Mamas, East Africa Safari Ventures, Church organisations and Kenya girl guides.
Along the line, they have also been joined by Kenyan artists such as Sitawa Productions, Muthoni Garland, Iddi Achieng, and Caroline Nderitu and the many shoppers who support them.
There only difference however is that while Maridadi focuses on the latest fashion wear including Italian designs while Totally Tumba is Kenya’s first green online shop for good quality vintage fashions (mitumba)and recycled books and toys. The shops aim to satisfy any budget and taste with different selections fit for different budgets. The shops are open around the clock with Door to Door Delivery in the city. The accept cash and mobile money.
What is TotallyTumba.com?
It is Kenya’s first GREEN online shop which sells recyclable goods. “Mitumba” is a Swahili word which means used, vintage, nearly new, gently used or second hand goods. Totally Tumba offers a wide range of Mitumba goods online including books, toys, clothes etc. At the same time it wants to demonstrate the spirit of being a good Kenyan citizen. Thus it contributes to helping the environment through recycling and reusing products and reducing waste. It is an ethical shop which illustrates that while shaping the economy is important, the less privileged in society should not be forgotten. Our corporate conscience recognises that all citizens have a part to play in shaping our nation and preserving our environment.
Why buy Mitumba online? Reduce it! Reuse it! Recycle it! We recommend you shop with us because when you do:
- you are being earth friendly as you reduce your impact on the environment
- you reduce your costs as our items are affordable
- you reduce energy and fuel consumption
- you recycle books, toys and clothes and therefore reduce waste
- you are reusing resources
- you help everyone access toys, books and clothes
- you save money, fuel, time and reduce pollution
- we donate clothing to various charities, orphanages and prisons
- we contribute to Panties with Purpose.
Why should I shop at Totally Tumba?
1. helps the environment
Recycling books, toys: Products that are not biodegradable or decompose slowly,(such as paper and plastic) remain in landfill sites for along time, often emitting gases that are harmful to the environment. By recycling books through Totally Tumba, you are helping to keep paper out of landfills which helps the environment.
2. reduces energy consumption
Recycling items often uses less energy than manufacturing products and using energy to produce new items. Buy shopping online you also save on fuel energy and the cost of fuel. Therefore by recycling you are reducing energy consumption.
3. decreases pollution
By reusing and recycling products, you help to reduce air pollution and the carbon footprint of a product. Shopping online at Totally Tumba also reduces fumes from car fuel, noise pollution, and traffic on Kenyan roads.
4. reduces costs
There is a huge cost savings when using recycled goods as the goods are cheaper. Saving money through recycling ultimately helps the environment. If we see a real benefit in our pockets then we are more likely to support the recycling cause. Recycling is just one of many ways that we can help the environment.
5. helps those who are less privileged
When you shop with Totally Tumba, you help the environment, save money and also enjoy the benefit of the product you buy. We play our part, and in exchange Totally Tumba will donate an item of clothing to an underprivileged child, every item you shop. The more you shop, the more we will give. In this way every step that we take, however small, is one more towards helping and supporting the environment in which we live.
Remember Panties with Purpose – every time you shop at from us you are giving underpants and sanitary towels to underprivileged girls.
