THIS IS BAKARI.
Just over 6 years ago a very special friend, Alexander was inspired to plant a forest of bamboo on his small farm where Bakari lives in the Shimba Hills in Kwale County, Kenya.
Soon after the bamboo was planted Al left us on this Earth.
When I was in Kenya this July, Wez, Kiko, Kat and I went to visit Bakari in the Shimbas and to see see how Al's bamboo was doing.
AAhhhmagarrd, what a power plant! Many of the many varieties of the species standing over 15m tall. Alexanders energy most definitely flowing through. The many uses of this beautiful gift of nature are endless - from building homes, building roads, making clothes, medicinal qualities and of course, an eco alternative to the dreaded and damaging p l a s t i c straw!
To make the straws, Bakari carefully selects the right shoots, cuts them to size and then soaks them in salt water to stop the growing process whilst naturally sterilising them. They're then cleaned and the ends are sanded and trimmed to size again.
We've made Asha : Eleven straw sleeves for them with our fabric off cuts so they stay clean in your bag and so you're never again caught in that awkward moment of oh I shouldn't have a plastic straw but I really need straw!
Simply soak in hot water after use and then suck and blow bubbles to run the water though.
Every purchase on our site gets a FREE bamboo eco straw and sleeve (whilst stocks last before my next visit to Kenya to top up!)
Courtesy of Al, Bakari, Hilary and John - so much love xxx
