Some companies are just plain awesome. Take Finds’ fave Janji for instance (post) Janji, which means “promise” in Malay, donates a portion of every sale to organizations who are providing on-the-ground solutions to real problems. For example the purchase of a the purchase of the Rwanda shirt provides 3 days of nutritional medicine to a malnourished Rwandan child by funding the group MANA Ready to Use Therapy Food. Not only does your purchase provide a tangible relief for hunger and thirst around the world, but wearing the brightly colored clothing helps raise awareness.
Well, Janji is about to get even more awesome.
Today, “in a complete break from traditional modes of giving through running,” Janji released “Janji Projects,” a crowdfunded giving platform. The tool allows runners to pre-order a design from a country and, if the design is 100% backed, supporters fully fund the construction of a water point that gives 350 people access to clean water for life.
The first Janji Project will be the Uganda “Run for Another” shirt. It is made of a silky performance blend of polyester and rayon, the pattern is inspired by Ugandan basket weaving. The Project functions much like a KickStarter campaign and lasts a maximum of seven days. If the shirt is 100% funded, production for the design project begins immediately while parallel construction of the water point launches. The water point will give 350 rural Ugandans access to clean water.
The idea for Janji began at the DIII Track Championship meet, where Mike Burnstein and Dave Spandorfer raced the 10k on a stifling hot day. Needing copious amounts of water to just finish the 25 lap race, they were inspired to use their sport as a way to give people access to something they too often took for granted: clean water. After the meet, the two college teammates launched Janji. Now sold in over 100 stores around the country, every piece of Janji apparel has a design inspired by a country and, when a runner buys it, the runner gives clean water to that country.
The crowdfunded project launches at noon EST on October 27th. The design is exclusively available for preorder and, once the 100% mark is reached, the project will be taken down from the site. The shirts are expected to ship before December 20th. A perfect holiday gift for the conscious and giving runner!
Spandorfer says. “By launching Janji Projects, the giving is direct. A runner can head out for a run knowing the shirt on their back provides access to clean water to 350 people in Uganda.” I say that is another win-win!
Head over and check out Janji Projects or the awesome items for sale at Janji. You can also follow on Twitter or Facebook.
Please note: I was not compensated to write this post. I was given the opportunity to share this awesome new concept and I jumped on it. I am honored to be selected as an earlier viewer of this exciting project!