Exploring West Africa || The Importance Of Fair Trade

[@shamelessmaya]

GURL!!! I love this SO MUCH! Thank you for sharing your journey and this QUALITY! Can we all give Fran a around of applause for filming and editing this video?!?! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Homie worked HARD on this one!

[@heyfranhey]

+Shameless Maya #ShamelessMayaTaughtMe

[@TheBeautyShaman]

Maya (sigh) You and Fran are sooooo underrated! Please continue to put out these exceptional videos! I live for them!!!

[@nicolebest9722]

Shout out to Shameless Maya for knowing how to enjoy life's moments with that 💃 dance lol

[@itskaisley]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Ronniehopson]

Bravo!

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

This is the Africa we MUST see more of. I'm tired of the white supremacist media portraying it to be this dire wasteland of disease, starvation, and poverty. We must highlight and uplift those who are doing the work on the grounds and call Africa their home. Thank you so much for this Fran! And much respect to Alaffia and his team. It's my dream to one-day return HOME!

[@heyfranhey]

+noooooooooooooooooo I agree! And that was the exact reason I took the project on.

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

Hey Fran Hey OMG FRAN You responded!!!! I love you soo much. And the Friend Zone Podcast is everything! I listen every week!

[@jaylabrown5421]

+noooooooooooooooooo I want to visit Africa soooooo badly

[@imaniashante7924]

People just don't understand just much we miss our home even though we've never been there. . . I loved this video!

[@PhyliciaLyn]

I know I'm not the only one who cried watching this? Who else? This humbled me even more than what I already am. I really want to visit now and see my home land. I loved it. Thank you for sharing!

[@PhyliciaLyn]

+WhimsicleMimsicle yeessss! It's so beautiful there! And they were welcoming! I love to see the love!

[@ymb6987]

+Phylicia Lyn Yes! The women singing and welcoming them was so powerful - nothing but pools of tears falling!

[@itstiffy]

I didn't cry but I was thiiisss close lol. I'm at work so I gaff to keep it together but it touched my heart so much

[@vflan36815]

+Phylicia Lyn Girl I was crying too and thought it was just me. My soul is crying to go back home. I would love to experience this.

[@lovleylady7]

This is so Beautiful. Im caribbean, but ive always felt a strong connection to my African brothers & sister and the motherland. Thanks for sharing Fran.

[@6ftSunflower]

I love my black people! We are so strong!

[@thedoude9418]

and so modest !

[@TiffanyMaloneTV]

I teared up when I watched Maya's Alaffia video and I teared up watching yours too. It's just something about Africa that my heart yearns for. And just the quality of it all.. the food, the plants, the products. It all just makes me feel like, this is how it's supposed to be. Love you Fran!

[@nakiacee15]

I totally get what you're saying ❤️

[@AnnaRogov]

I love Alaffia products, their African black soup is my favorite! I loved getting to know more about the brand, great video Fran💕💕

[@AnnaRogov]

*soap

[@BlackBusyBody]

Same! They’re so pure! I use the lavender bath wash to relax me at night

[@FatimaBah]

7:02 the little girl in the white hijab is so beautiful 😍😍

[@heyfranhey]

+Fatoumata Bah Yes! And those eyes!

[@ColeWorld757]

We really do take stuff for granted. So much pride and effort put into making every day items.

[@1holyghostpower]

I was so moved by this video, as all your videos are informative, this one really teaches us the things we take for granted, but also why its so important to support black owned business, the journey behind it. This was so beautifully done, I can't thank you enough for all you do for us. God bless

[@ShawntasWay]

Hey Fran! So glad for this upload!!! I absolutely loved it!!!! Love your spirit! Love everything about you!!! ❤️❤️

[@AMMA83]

This video needs to be shared widely. I'm literally in tears. Amazing!

[@heyfranhey]

+AMMA83 Honored you feel that way

[@AMMA83]

+Hey Fran Hey thank you for being such an inspiration and encouragement.

[@AK01318]

I got emotional when you said the women hand-whip the shea butter for 45 minutes to an hour. I'm definitely going to buying Alaffia's products. Thanks for sharing

[@AThickGirlsCloset]

I watched Joulzey's & Maya's videos. I love how all of you presented this trip through different eyes. I'm sure you guys had an amazing time. So inspiring to watch.

[@heyfranhey]

+A Thick Girl's Closet That's been my favorite part. Seeing how we all interpreted our footage. Thank you for watching them all

[@ceceFem]

Thanks for the enlightenment. I will start purchasing this brand. May God continue to bless u as you live your life with purpose.

[@Beemgee]

I had no idea so much work went into making shea butter! Really opened my eyes

[@IS-eh4yj]

This video brought me to tears! True and real...Africa!!!

[@SoGutsyM]

Fran! Thank for always keeping us woke! I applaud you and your friends for taking us all on the journey with you. It's essential to shed light on how labor intensive the making of products we use daily and take for granted. It encourages us to spend our money with purpose. Thank you!

[@prowoman]

Loving all up on this. What about an annual naturals fair trade tour? Thumbs up if anyone else is interested. HUGS

[@Jewel2K5]

Love this! I would totally lose it if while visiting an African country they greeted me by singing "welcome home". Yup...ugly cry would be in full effect. Thanks for highlighting the issue of fair trade and for everything you bring to this world (I love the Friend Zone!)

[@Beanie84]

Wow, I knew nothing about Alaffia brand products. I usually passed by them simply out of brand loyalty to Shea Moisture (it works for my hair so why change it up?). But now I'm checking out Alaffia for sure! I'd be happy to support another fair trade company. God it was so beautiful when they sang Welcome Home. Totally teared up at that warming display. And all the hard days of work that go into making our precious shea butter that we can just waltz into Target and purchase. Talk about taking all this for granted... What a beautiful, enlightening journey. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@indeedlove]

Thanks Fran for taking us on this journey with you. I almost teared up at the welcome home part. All those beautiful brown babies!! I've got to go experience Africa someday...soon. Thanks for sharing :)

[@FatherLego1986]

So inspiring and positive! I spent 5 months in Guinea, West Africa and it makes me miss all the colour and the welcoming people. Unfortunately they hadn't gotten there with international trade although they do have the climate for cocoa beans and such beautiful fabrics and of course so much talent and creativity. I hope that more people can support buying fair trade so that this market can spread and we can use our wealth to create better lives for these people.

[@heyfranhey]

+Sophie Bainbridge Well said!!!!

[@vflan36815]

OMG watching the women singing made me cry. My soul needs this journey back home. WOW Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.

[@beautifullyfree7899]

I will DEFINITELY be supporting Alaffia...I heard you speak about it on you guy's FriendZone Podcast and i cried...like a baby just to know that they welcomed you all with such open arms singing "Welcome Home". I could imagine it & to now see it on video made me cry for real lol, simply because it helps to dispel the notion that we are not welcomed "back home". Anyway, I love Shea moisture of course as we do on this channel, BUT i will FOR SURE be supporting & trying Alaffia products now. Thank you Fran As always for helping us all Stay Woke as f**k!!! Love xoxo

[@fatimajames123]

This is truly an eye opener. So much dedication and hard work. Thanks for sharing.

[@heyfranhey]

+fatimajames123 Such hard work. It's crazy we even have to ask for fair trade.

[@KarenExtravaganza]

Fran, I am absolutely moved and so touched by your video. As a black so.an who has been living in Morocco for 5 years now, I know first hand how important it is to have fair trade on natural resources. My first trip to West Africa is planned for July ,God Willing. I am so excited and e end more so after way watching your video. Please come visit Morocco, the HOME of ARGAN OIL. It would be my pleasure to host you and show you around. Peace and Blessings.... Karen

[@crysta2l]

Thank you so much for posting this. I did not realize that the samples I picked up at Whole Foods were the Alaffia brand until the end of this video. And the samples of the products were AMAZING!! Now, I see the quality and character behind the brand. Trust me, you guys the price point is amazing for the products. I definitely will be keeping my dollars "in the family". Thanks again Fran.

[@heyfranhey]

+crysta2l That's the best part! Not only is the mission statement genuine and community based, but the products are super incredible!

[@crysta2l]

EXACTLY!!! NO MORE EXCUSES!!

[@TkeyahB]

Idk how I'm just now seeing this, but I love alaffia! ugh the amount of love you all must have felt when the women welcomed you.

[@terracottagirl]

I saw you uploaded this and I had to make time to sit down to really watch. I had goosebumps and wet eyes. I went to India in December and wish I'd documented it like this. This is such an important message and a beautiful experience. Thank you so much for sharing, I just have to visit. Little things are so important. I study and have studied a lot of Anthropology. It can be so difficult to learn about the inequality and corruption throughout the world while sitting in a high tech classroom watching a documentary on a projector. The owner of Alaffia is doing something revolutionary that I wish more people were doing. I am so proud of him and all of these people. This is such a gorgeous community, I'm so glad you ladies had this oppurtunity.

[@camillek5793]

I live this so much! Thanks for these images of our family in the Motherland, and for the reminder to consider the companies we buy from. Those babies were beautiful!

[@Itsmynapturality]

I literally just realized I have this brand of black soap!! I bought it because it was fair trade and the label talks the brand contributes to the community there. I'm so happy to find out I was already supporting such a humanitarian and important brand.

[@constancejackson1698]

It’s four years later. So happy to see you were enjoying yourself and sharing your wonderful experience. 😘

[@Timeka0210]

Such an exceptional video. I have been using Alaffia brand black soaps for the past few months. It's wonderful know the back story of such great quality and well made product's! Thank you for sharing!!

[@kimmie1377]

Wow! What an amazing journey. I hope to make a pilgrimage to Ghana in the coming years.

[@bewellwithsantosha]

What humbling experience! This video has raised my conscious level even more! Thank you for sharing and keeping us informed!

[@heyfranhey]

+San Michelle Beyond happy to hear that!

[@plottwistswizzy524]

There comes a point in life where we realize that the small things were actually the big and most meaningful. This is amazing and you're amazing! Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring others do to likewise. And also for using your platform to bridge the gap, show us in a positive light and for us to realize how much we're one in the same in which we should support each other more. Beautiful!!! 🙌🏾👏🏾✌🏾️❤❤️❤️️

[@tonimoore7188]

Thank you for the education and for sharing your beautiful journey HOME!!! If more awareness like this was shown to us we can support more. I will definitely buy this product in bulk. I was thinking how could I help in some way. This is amazing

[@goodladie22]

I've been using the Alaffia brand for some time now and never thought to research the story. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm all in my feels now.

[@yooki198]

my family is from the Ghana-Togo border side so this especially hit home! sharing with my people now...

[@nosillaxoc]

I didn't know of this brand but I am going to start buying it. thank you for the enlightenment. makes me proud and to see it made from so much love. humbled.

[@sculptrz]

Finally got around to watching the video. It's lovely! I too had tears in my eyes. What beautiful people! You girls included. Thanks for sharing. I'll be supporting Alaffia whole heartedly now!

[@MissCharmsie]

What a wonderful experience, so glad you shared this! I will definitely look into this brand, I hadn't heard of Alaffia until this video!

[@brucedavis3915]

How great is it that you not only got the chance to travel out of states but also visited a place that interests you & helps boost your channel. Keep doin u. I want to take a trip out of the states myself & visit a couple places in europe but....dem school loans............

[@mahoganyhd1323]

This totally made me cry. I've always wanted to visit but these experiences aren't cheap. I can't wait to visit Accra some day and visit this land I feel so connected to. Thank you for sharing your story

[@StellaCharm]

where fran said she cried I cried as hell, I was filled with happiness watching them clapping and singing. 😊

[@yvettestanford5482]

Absolutely delightful to watch...I regularly use natural Shea Butter and just this week purchased the Eucalyptus Alaffia liquid soap for the whole body....seeing this footage makes me want to swap other products for other Alaffia products to further support the mission of this company....community & wholeness as a people is so evident....blessings to you ladies for sharing your experience....

[@Queenbelieveit]

This was very informative, educational and awesome !!!! My father is from Ghana and I hope to visit with my family soon. Thanks so much for sharing:)

[@JCovington1211]

AMAZING!!!My husband and I have been using Alaffia for years! We will continue to support this brand. Thank you so much for sharing!!!! :-)

[@heyfranhey]

+Hanna Bee Beyond happy to hear that :)

[@fraupurzel]

This makes me really wanting to explore West Afrika. What great People! And the great colours.

[@stilgotitafter5742]

Thank you for making this video Fran! Slowly but surely more and more of us will be trickling back to beautiful Africa for life changing experiences and awareness!

[@africanblacksoap4866]

Beautiful story...as an avid user of black soap and all its many beneficial skin clearing and healthcare advantages I have been inspired to sell the soap and educate myself and others about our "Mother Land" and all the good people along the way. Long live Fair Trade!

[@OutOfFocus777]

Love it!!!!! I miss Africa! So much culture!! So much love from every country I went too!!!

[@knowledgeispowerMN]

Wow, what an experience you had. Thank you for sharing, I am already a customer of Alaffia products and it's all because of you. I have seen your Instagram and quickly did a research about Alaffia then searched for stores that were selling and bought the African Black Soap Body Wash and I love it. Also, knowing the fact that my money is supporting my fellow African women to feed their families is a great feeling.

[@tbrown2864]

I have tears in my eyes and chills over my body watching this...Aahhhhmazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@tomika1003]

Thank you for sharing...I got chills throughout my body when the women sang Welcome Home to you all

[@heyfranhey]

+Tomika J I legit cried like a baby. lol

[@6ftSunflower]

I have to visit my motherland! this was so beautiful I she'd a tear! Thank you for an amazing video! from now on, alaffia it is!!

[@NaturalBeauty37]

Thank you! Gr8 video!!! I felt like I was there with you. I got chills from watching and listening to the welcome home chant.

[@IrisKirkland]

This almost brought tears to my eyes, because it's a beautiful story. And you told it well. Thank you.

[@ritastulov8412]

Wow, this is so inspiring and I have a way more realistic picture now of HOW MUCH work it is to create our products that ( as you already said and what is true ) we take for granted. Thank you for this video!!!

[@brielle3112]

I wept. I listen to The Friend Zone, so I knew what was coming, but I couldn't help myself. What a beautiful experience! I have started buying Alaffia at my local Sprouts, just in case anyone is looking out for it!

[@MissJhane]

What a wonderful experience you guys had. I love the Alaffia Black Soap, Lavender and lemon. It is for kids, but I used it one summer and it was so refreshing for my face!! I don't see it often or everywhere (even Amazon) but their product are the best!! Thank you for sharing with us!

[@Martina_E]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us. This is beyond amazing! I have to try their products.

[@Kirbear324]

Such a beautiful heart warming and welcoming experience. I can't wait to return to our motherland! So glad I know of this specific brand and knowing that it is black owned and fairtrade. S/n we should also be conscious of plastic & eco friendly packaging.

[@keekee3233]

Truly appreciate this video, thanks for sharing your experience, so eye opening..

[@CoachRob619]

Wow, amazing video! Thanks for sharing this!

[@niadilly6924]

So dope and eye opening. This is what the world needs 🤗🤗🤗🙌🏾

[@suzanadam11]

I love Alaffia black soap! It's great to know that each purchase I make will help people in need. Btw I love your quote "to live with intention" it inspires me to try to live that way too!

[@lo5289]

This video gave me goosebumps over and over again. Thank you for sharing your journey Fran. Truly inspiring.

[@alisunshine123]

BEAUTIFUL and INSPIRING video!!!Definitely going to keep a lookout on Alaffia brand

[@ConQueringBeauty]

Beautiful done!! Thank you for sharing your experiences! I want to go home one day! I will be supporting this brand! ❤️

[@jaz1elise]

Such a great, inspiring video! Thanks for sharing your experience in West Africa, Fran! I've seen Alaffia products before, now that I think about it.

[@cherokee7411]

Fran, thank you for sharing your journey with us. It's puts into perspective what I sometimes take for granted. Now I have a new brand to try and know how and by whom it's made and the the small impact I can make in this world.

[@MyMamasChild2]

I've been ordering from Alaffia for a while now. Such a beautiful company. Glad you have a wonderful trip!

[@ricoeweaver]

I kid you not, my eyes welled up with tears when the village sang the welcome! What a powerful experience!

[@heyfranhey]

+Rico Weaver You felt the love. It was so real!

[@ymb6987]

That was beautiful Fran and so life affirming! The sights and sounds in this video alone are amazing! I am that much more aware of fair trade - thanks for sharing Fran!

[@ImJacquet1]

So glad I found this video! I love their products and the mission behind it makes it worth so much more than just a good product. Thanks for sharing Fran! Great videos also 😊

[@thisnaturalgirlislocd]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience you ladies encountered! Just Beautiful!

[@aldyja]

Thank you so much for this beautiful sharing of experience and knowledge. This is my 1st time hearing about the brand and I will definitely search for them in stores and on the web. My heart's desire is to make it to Africa, to help our people. I loved hearing about the school and maternity clinic. Wow, beautiful work! And those women skillfully weaving baskets, creating fabrics, and making cocoa and Shea butters with such care and love, brought such joy. I love purchasing fair trade products.

[@Victory290809]

This is wonderful!!! I love how you documented it! It flows and we get to really feel the experience that you got to live! I will definitely look for Alaffia products the next time I go for my natural products. Thank you for this Fran! :)

[@l.madinina7208]

WOW !! I love this video, I knew that there are people all around the world that work hard to give us, the natural products that we use, but seeing this video remind me this, and got me emotional. As I started to do my own product, it is great to know that some brands do care about human being. Thank you so much for sharing this video with us

[@StrawberryAhmazin]

reading all of the beautiful comments! this was VERY heartwarming, with all the BS that is going on with the politics and all of these celebrities this video opened my eyes and it really puts things into perspective. Thanks Fran for sharing this!!!!! xoxo

[@Cbadio89]

I appreciate you! Thank you for shining such a positive light and sharing your beautiful trip!

[@phanie1409]

Wow! Beautiful! This is one of my favorite brands, I've been buying it for a little over a year from Wholefoods. I LOVE their everyday body wash with shea butter!!

[@MayaArielH]

Wow I already loved this brand, but this video just solidified my love for the company. They are doing such amazing work and I am so proud to be supporting them. Great video Fran :)

[@notreally5167]

this is one of the most beautiful videos I've seen on KZbin, thank you.

[@victoriaferguson-young5727]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey and increasing our consciousness about this brand and the importance of supporting fair trade products. LOVE IT!

[@BlackBusyBody]

That welcome home would’ve made me cry like a baby. I’m def going to visit and I KNOW I’m going to be home

[@keepitsimple5744]

Thank you for taking me there with this video, Fran. That was educational!

[@lenwithane8871]

So glad you got to go on this trip and that you took footage to share. Beautiful!

[@nnicolexo]

I love love love this video. It brought so much joy and gratefulness to my heart,, Fran. Thank you for sharing and I cannot wait for the day I get to visit africa!

[@heyfranhey]

+EccentricallyChic I can't wait for you to visit!

[@NBean90]

Yessssss she's back!!! I've been waiting!!!

[@Kmishelle]

I LOVE that you made this video. I would love to see the women of Africa making shea butter in person. That would be so ... surreal. And the Welcome Home song? BEAUTIFUL. I'm glad that you brought up the fact that we need to pay attention to brands that are treating their employees fairly and actually making a positive difference. Really good point. Makes me want to be more conscious about which brands I purchase from. I'm currently trying to get into buying black and putting money back into our community. I'm trying to make it into a lifestyle lol. I just need a black owned grocery store nearby and I'll be good :)

[@hondagame7069]

i like the background music. what a beautiful country!

[@cocosweeti906]

Simply beautiful! Thank you so much for bring us home!

[@Mouth4thep]

What a great video! Thanks so much. I will definitely purchase that brand. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

[@floraborasora]

Great to see you back Fran! What a beautiful video, thank you for sharing! 😊💕

[@inzdofficial4942]

Wow, wow, wow!! This was super important for me to watch. Support black owned is so important!!! I gotta do more to support!!

[@Puglease]

I love Alaffia!! Fran, what an incredible video!!! Thank you so much!!