We’re Melissa and Tami—two sisters who spent our childhood growing up in Nigeria. The word “Sannu,” from the Northern Nigeria Hausa language, greeted us every day when we lived in the North. It’s a beautiful and flexible word with a plethora of meanings: from a simple “hello,” to a sympathetic, “sorry” for someone who is hurting or sick. For us, it carries the memory of a season when life was safe, joyful, full of wonder and simplicity- a time when we felt extremely blessed.
Tami started making soap over six years ago, and what began as a hobby slowly became a craft filled with purpose. When we talked about selling it, we knew we wanted our soap to reflect what mattered most to us: simplicity, functionality, hope and blessing.
We grew up in communities shaped by both beauty and hardship, Including a local civil war, watching warring families in Papua New Guinea while visiting grandparents, and some time spent in Israel and Palestine. Later while in college, Tami took off 2 years to teach Syrian refugee kids in a school in Lebanon and Melissa volunteered with a local organization in Chattanooga helping refugees settle and integrate. We both saw how war touches and affects children. That’s why a portion of every bar sold goes to support children impacted by conflict—especially those at the same school Tami once served.
When you choose our soap, you’re part of a story of care, hope, and blessing. We’re grateful that you have joined us in this story!