Rafiki Mwema x Sienna – our latest fundraising collaboration

Meet our super-limited-release, fundraising collaboration, the Jamii Pack. 100% of all profits from the sale of this gorgeous collection are going to support the work of Rafiki Mwema in Kenya.

“I always wanted Sienna to be a beauty brand that gives back. I’m so proud for us to be partnering again with Rafiki Mwema. The kids they love, care and advocate for have gone through so much, it’s just not fair. The work Rafiki does to heal their trauma and keep them safe is so important.”

Danielle, Sienna Founder and Creative Director

Read on to learn more about the work Rafiki does and how the funds raised will make a difference.

Rafiki Mwema means ‘Loyal Friend’

We work with families, in the communities, with schools, churches, villages and with government officials to ensure the cycle of abuse is broken and that children are given the chance to live as children should.

Funds from the sale of the Jamii Pack will help Rafiki Mwema keep their doors open. Their running costs are huge, on average about AUD$40,000 per month, and when you see everything they do, you’ll understand why.

From little things, big things grow

Rafiki Mwema supports 70 children under the age of 12 who have experienced sexual abuse. The children live in therapeutic houses – there are two houses for girls and two for the boys – where they can be safe, loved and supported while they heal. Rafiki also supports another 130 children who have left their therapeutic homes via the Rafiki Outreach Team. As if all this wasn’t enough, they have also organised, funded and installed two video links in local courts in Kenya so children can testify against their abusers safely, acquired a farm, then built a school on it, and started a weekly food program in town. Rafiki also runs regular training on topics like Building Attachments and Living with Trauma in the UK, Australia and Kenya.

Unbelievably, all this incredible work is facilitated via fundraising organised by Sarah Rosborg and a small group of wonderful volunteers who are based in the small seaside village of Lennox Head. Sarah’s passion and dedication to making a difference are just extraordinary. You can see why we were moved to help.

Meet Sarah Rosborg

We spoke to Sarah about how she keeps going when the work is hard and the children have experienced so much trauma, so young.

There are days when I feel like I physically cannot continue. The sadness can be overwhelming and it can feel like we’re not making a difference. But when I travel to Kenya I can SEE the change with my own eyes. I see that the future for that child HAS changed through our work and you never know where that can lead. We want to break the cycle of abuse so these kids can grow up and be balanced and loving adults… I would like to think someone would fight for Lovisa (Sarah’s daughter) if I was not here. I believe we owe it to the world to honour our good life, but we should also be helping those who are not so lucky.”

Are you crying? We’re crying.

But wait, there’s more

The three colours in Sienna x Jamii Pack are gorgeous, of course, but more than that, Sarah told us these colours – Huruma (Empathy), Upendo (Love) and Upunyaji (Healing) – represent all the children cared for by the Rafiki staff. Pass a tissue, please.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Head to the Rafiki Mwema website to read more about what they do. If their work resonates with you and you want to help Rafiki keep their doors open, they have lots of suggestions about how to help. From writing a letter to a child in Kenya to sponsorship options, there are lots of ways to get involved and everything helps. They also have a couple of really great events coming up with heaps of special guests, including An African Affair on the Gold Coast with Celeste Barber’s infamous Hot Husband.

Thank you

We’re pretty sure this gorgeous capsule collection will fly off the shelves and we want to say a big thank you to our beautiful customers, who appreciate a good cause as much as they appreciate a good manicure.

With gratitude from all of us at Sienna.