When I first saw Mariam's Instagram post that was a re-gram from the Underdogs' page I was a bit curious of this, yet another foreign company in Kenyan soil, doing what exactly? I sought out to do my own research which landed me on their site. I wasn't ready for it! Auctioning jerseys for clean water for Kenyan children in schools located in the rural areas?! I was enthralled and intent to find out more, so, I quickly complied a few questions for Miss Mariam Naipanoi, the lead designer of Underdogs United.This is what she had to say about it:
Lead designer of the Underdogs, how did that come to be?
I have been part-timing in the fashion industry for the past 7 years or so. I was working in Kilifi when I met Stephen Gabauer, who is a co-founder at Underdogs United. We worked for the same organisation and during his tenure, we would always talk about fashion. He would fill me in about Underdogs United, which was still in its early stages. We kept in touch and around April last year, I left my previous job and moved back to Nairobi. Coincidentally, Stephen reached out and proposed a partnership with the ongoing initiative, and it’s being a beautiful journey since.
What is your background?
I studied Community Development and later did PR. I’ve always been a fashion forward person and my interest in fashion has been growing over the years. I pretty much dabbled in everything, from a swimwear line for plus size women, and Ankara themed line to eventually Plus Size modelling. I’m always trying to evolve with the vast growing industry and I’m lucky I get to work in a field I am passionate about while still being part of a noble cause.
So how do autographed jerseys supply water to Kenyans?
Inspired by the popular jersey exchange tradition in international sports, we created the Global Jersey Exchange, our own version of the tradition that addresses UN Sustainable Development Goal #6: the basic right to safe drinking water for all people. We’re aiming to impact over 10,000 children with access to safe drinking water through this program by the end of 2019. Underdogs United is a non-profit organisation, we only recover the costs to run the program and auctions. For the athletes participating in the Global Jersey Exchange, we offer a Kenyan-designed jersey in exchange for their signed jersey to auction for the safe drinking water initiative. Following each auction, 100% of the auction proceeds are transferred directly to our partner Impact Water, and these funds are dedicated specifically for purchasing, installing, and maintaining water purification systems for schools in rural Kenya.
Why athletes only?
Underdogs United was founded on the belief that sports can unite global communities to solve global challenges. Over the past three years, we have partnered with athletes, sports organisations, and forward-thinking brands on sustainability initiatives that positively impact global health and the environment.
So a Kenyan athlete wouldn’t qualify?
They would. Underdogs are currently in talks with a few Kenyan athletes.
Is Underdogs a Kenyan based company?
Our headquarters are in Pittsburgh, PA with staff in Washington D.C. We collaborate daily with our team based in the Embulbul community near Nairobi, Kenya.
What is a day like for a lead designer of the Underdogs? Is this your full-time job?
Yes, this is currently my full-time job. I create original designs for our hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and tennis jerseys, I coordinate the embroidery and production of jerseys; manage tailors to meet deadlines, write weekly and daily updates on operations in Nairobi, design concepts, manage orders fulfilled and upcoming, production expenses and logistics, support administrative tasks, take photos of the production process, produce creative content, and other tasks as required.
Are the jerseys locally made with locally available resources/fabrics?
The fabrics are a blend of a soft base polyester and vitenges (traditional East African fabrics) sourced in Kenya. Our Kenyan tailors power a foot-pedal sewing machine to handcraft the jerseys. Once it’s finished, they carefully sew on the patches, tags, and add the final touches. From there, we hand wash each jersey, trim the threads and inspect it for quality before shipping them to our HQ.
Is it a long term project?
Yes, it is. 100% of proceeds from athletes’ jersey auctions are dedicated to funding water purification systems for Kenyan schools. Each purification system from our project partner Impact Water ensures up to 1,500 children have daily access to fresh, purified water at school. Our goal is to reach over 10,000 children in rural Kenya with safe drinking water by the end of 2019 with the support of the athletes we’ve partnered with and Underdogs United apparel sales.
How is it for your working for a noble cause?
It is humbling. We all want to make a difference in the world around us. And I have gotten a chance to work for an organisation whose values are like my own. I believe every child has the right to access clean drinking water. Our initiative is a small step that is making a huge difference for the kids.
What would you like Kenyans to know about this initiative?
90% of schools in Kenya do not have access to safe drinking water. We’re committed to being part of the solution. All of the proceeds from the athletes' jersey auctions are dedicated to water purification systems for Kenyan schools. With each Underdogs United apparel sale, we support a child with safe drinking water for a minimum of two years through our partnership with Impact Water. Athletes from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and all over the world are auctioning their autographed jerseys to support safe drinking water solutions for children in rural Kenya. We’ve partnered with 70+ athletes from 15 countries and 20 leagues through our Global Jersey Exchange.