Beatrice Williamson came to Oklahoma City from Kenya through a church internship program to work with inner city kids in 2001, having no idea of the impact that it would have on her of the impact she would make on the world while living here.
“I personally grew up in extreme poverty,” said Beatrice Williamson, Founder and CEO of Maisha Project.
Home for Williamson in Kenya.
“I grew up where we didn’t have running water, we didn’t have electricity. I could count the number of days we eat food,” said Williamson.
So, imagine the shock, experiencing a buffet immediately after getting off the plane.
“You pay one time and you eat as many times as you want, that was the first culture shock I ever had in Oklahoma City,” said Williamson.
The conveniences challenging her to create change.
“All I wanted is to give a second chance and life to the people in my community,” said Williamson.
Maisha means Life and through her Maisha Project she has done just that, taking regular mission trip back to Kenya, she has hosted close to 1,500 Oklahomans to her small village.
“So, we build schools, we build hospitals, we also build water wells,” said Williamson.
They even feed ten thousand meals to kids every day.
“Our school runs from kindergarten to ninth grade, and our school was built by Oklahomans,” said Williamson.
Her latest venture Asante Coffee Shop in the Regency Tower in downtown Oklahoma City.
“Asante means thank you in Swahili,” said Williamson.
Serving coffee from Kenya, the coffee shop, not only benefits people from Kenya, but it also helps women right here in Oklahoma.
“We try to make sure we employ single mothers, empowering single mothers,” said Maisha Program Coordinator Emmanuel Opdee.
“If I’m having problems with, you know, childcare or something, they’re just really understanding compared to anything I’ve dealt with,” said Taylor Cox, Asante Coffee Shop Manager.
The product is just as impressive as the mission.
“My customers who buy Asante coffee and they will come back and tell me that this is extraordinary coffee,” said Opdee.
“When people drink our coffee, it is truly coffee with a purpose,” said Williamson.
For more information about Maisha Project visit their website www.maishaproject.org
