The Leakey Collection Selected as Finalists in the World Challenge Competition!

I am thrilled to announce to you we have been selected as a finalists in the World Challenge 08, a global competition sponsored by BBC World News and Newsweek, in association with Shell. The competition is aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. As a result, we will be featured on BBC World News and in Newsweek this fall!

The winner of the competition will be selected by a voting process and will receive a $20 000 grant to put back into their project/business and two runners up will each receive $10 000. This investment would create tremendous opportunities for the Maasai by giving us more resources to expand The Leakey Collection.  In addition, it would benefit the community by allowing us to do more outreach with programs such as the Women’s Health Initiative. The three finalists will be flown to The Hague, The Netherlands to attend the award ceremony in December 2008.  Please visit the site between October 1 and November 21rst to vote!

This is a wonderful affirmation of the work we do with the Maasai and I feel honored to have our organization recognized among such outstanding nominees.  We were nominated for our innovative use of sustainable materials and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the thousands of workers that make up The Leakey Collection. Thank you to our loyal customers, retailers and supporters who made this wonderful recognition possible!