About
OVERVIEW
Founder's story
Jasperdean Kobes is President, CEO, and Owner of Bamboula Ltd. In recent years, Ms. Kobes has also consulted for the West Africa Trade Hub, the East and Central Africa Trade Hub, the African Development Foundation, and Aid to Artisans on projects related to strengthening the handmade sector in Africa and its access to the US market.
Before purchasing Bamboula Ltd. in 1989, Ms. Kobes was a lending officer at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City for five years. She also worked for many years in various positions to promote social and economic development in Africa. Her passion for Africa was ignited during her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia.
Ms. Kobes holds graduate degrees from Columbia University.
Our mission
The company’s mission is to create work and income for African artisans by selling their handcrafted products to retailers in the US.
Our philosophy
The types of products we sell
OUR ECO-FRIENDLY & RECYCLED PRODUCTS INCLUDE:
• RECYCLED GLASS: SUNCATCHERS, HOOKS, ORNAMENTS & OTHER ACCESSORIES FROM GHANA – made from glass bottles, broken window panes, and other scraps of glass by the Krobo bead makers in Ghana.
• STRAW BASKETS FROM GHANA – made from elephant grass that grows in savanna areas
• SISAL BASKETS FROM KENYA – made from the fiber of widely available sisal plants
• IRINGA BASKETS FROM TANZANIA – made from “milulu” grass that grows in swampy areas & plant dyes
• RAFFIA BASKETS FROM UGANDA –made from raffia palm fibers coiled over banana fiber stalks
• SAFARI ANIMALl ORNAMENT – made in Kenya using handspun wool and natural plant dyes
• GOURD NATIVITY SETS – made in Kenya by placing banana fiber and sisal figures in a small gourd
• NATURAL FIBER ANGEL ORNAMENTS - made in Kenya from sisal, raffia and banana tree fibers
• RECYCLED STAR ORNAMENTS – made in Kenya by recycling metal soda cans
Where the producers live and work
Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
Projects we support
How we select what we sell
What makes us unique
More information about us
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