I am Bianca Trevino, 34 years old, born in the USA. I started working for gebana in July 2018. After a year of planning, my partner – Michael Stamm, who also works for gebana – and I decided to move to West Africa. Not an easy decision with an infant (our son Mateo was nine months old at the time). Our life in Benin and Togo is nothing but ordinary, yet fully extraordinary. I am excited to share our experiences with you here in the future.
What’s my background? I studied Fine Arts as well as Landscape Architecture and became an entrepreneur after graduation. Collaboration with other artist has always been a goal of mine, yet many times my own hands where the tools of creation. I started a few small businesses (e.g. a children’s crochet store, a custom design linen and drape studio) and freelanced as landscaper and florist. Later I co-founded a small company called Maya Atman, which makes products out of teak leaves.
Having the opportunity to create with and for gebana is a blessing. I now have the chance to connect with farmers in order to understand their problems, concerns and dreams. I will be the direct contact between you, the farmers and their land. I will help you understand their way of living, their hopes and complications. I will also update you on the development of the fields and the processes the goods pass through before getting into your hands. Along the way I will also share our experiences as a family.
West Africa is not an easy region, this I can tell you already after living here for almost a year! Yet, its simple, colourful, relaxed way of living has its unique exquisiteness.
Please don’t hesitate to ask for specific topics for future blog posts in the comment section.
Until next time!
Bianca
gebana AG, Ausstellungsstrasse 21, 8005 Zürich, Schweiz
gebana AG, Ausstellungsstrasse 21, 8005 Zürich, Schweiz
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Smallholders and local producers harvest and refine products of extraordinary quality worldwide. But for many of these producers there is no adequate or stable market. You can buy directly from these producers via the Access to Market Platform and help them to participate in the market. The principle behind this is crowd ordering – a new trade model whereby a number of consumers order a product together so as to achieve a minimum order quantity. We at gebana support the producers with our know-how, and organise the logistics.
Enable someone to make their first export with your order. Please note: Unexpected events often lead to delays, and you may find that the quality is not yet perfect. For this reason, your feedback is absolutely essential. The export experience and your feedback are important steps for the producers towards accessing the market. As a customer, you are witness to the whole process, playing your part in pioneering work.
You can order from these producers simply and directly. You receive your product as soon as the minimum order quantity has been reached and the products are ready. The risk for you is minimal, since the producers already have a product that is ready for market. This sales channel is beneficial to both the producers and the consumers, since it cuts out the middle man.
Be part of the development of supply chains and support innovation! Some of the ways you can do this include testing new products, giving feedback, or financially supporting the producers in their next steps. In doing so, you will be able to see for yourself how the products and supply chains develop.
This is where you can see all the completed projects on the Access to Market Platform at a glance. You can find out where products are now available from or whether the producers are still seeking a trade partner.