Asha Cottage

Environment
Tree-planting and wildlife conservation: since identifying the site for Asha Cottage we committed to not removing any of the old indigenous trees (we moved the house to cater for the flamboyant that is near the entrance). We have also planted over 100 plants and bushes to embellish the gardens, but also to ensure that a continuous canopy is available for monkeys to access their food supplies. In particular, our gardens are home to a troupe of Colobus Monkeys, that are now accustomed to us and feel safe in our gardens. They usually pass through on a daily basis.

Solar energy: all of our hot water is heated using solar energy.

Waste recycling: we separate our waste, collecting plastic, glass, metal and paper separately. Paper products are burned and the ashes used to fertilise the garden; glass bottles are recycled to support local businesses in the area and metal scrap is donated to local collectors.

Composting: organic waste from the kitchen and the garden go into our compost pit, that has been mulching now for almost a year.

Rainwater collection: water is scarce in Kenya. During the rains, we collect rainwater from the roofs via an intricate network of hidden pipes. We can store up to 180,000 litres of rainwater. This water is used to water the gardens, fill the pond and the pool (which is however treated). Shower and tap water is obtained from an underwater stream the flows further inland, while drinking water is purchased as bottled mineral water.

Controlled use of detergents: While we provide a clean set of bed linens and bath towels for all guests upon their arrival, we suggest that these be changed only twice a week, so as to limit the use of laundry detergents. We ask that our guests assist us in this.

Asha Cottage supports the Colobus Trust, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the conservation, preservation and protection of the Angolan Black and White Colobus monkey and its natural habitat along the South Coast of Kenya. The Trust relies on private donations and volunteer work, particularly of visiting tourists.

Contributions support: tree-planting initiatives, medical and emergency care for monkeys, educational initiatives for local schools and communities, electric wire insulating activities and the installation of Colo-bridges around Diani and Galu.

We encourage guests to visit our local projects. Our current project is a tree-planting initiative in a local school where we have held environmental education sessions with children and then involved them in the planting of ten trees (so far, more are planned) on the premises of their new school which is under construction.

Community
Asha Cottage donates a fixed percentage of its profit to one of two organisations working to protect the environment and support social development. Guests can participate by telling us which of the two organisations they would like their accommodation percentage to support and by making further donations if desired. In all cases, donations are made in the name of Asha Cottage and the guests whose accommodation generated the amounts.

The Asha Boutique hosts the "Social Responsibility Corner" where guest can go to get more information about the organisations; they can also talk to either John or Dominique at any time. The Asha Boutique also provides shelf space for women's groups in Kenya who make handicrafts and guests can find a little something special to take home while also supporting rural Kenyan women's households.

For the moment, we have chosen to actively support two organisations. The first is the local Colobus Trust, and the other is the Cradle of Love, a baby's home operating in Tanzania, just outside of Arusha. We know the directors of both organisations personally and have had ways to verify the nature and impact of their commitment, integrity and impact.

Cradle of Love is a home for vulnerable infants and babies operating near Arusha in Tanzania. Orphaned or otherwise vulnerable children are taken in from birth until the age of two when they are re-integrated into their extended families or legally adopted in Tanzania. Children receive medical care, healthy nutrition and lots and lots of love and affection. Many thrive and go on to live a new life of opportunity - some do not and die at the home, however having lived their short lives in peace, love and tranquillity.

We employ only Kenyans and currently have 15 people on staff; they are from villages around the country, from local Digo (Muslim) tribes, up-country Christian Protestant tribes and other coastal tribes. This is an important issue here and we have succeeded in creating a solid and friendly team in which tribal and religious divides are not felt. We train our staff on site, and we are planning to send one of the female kitchen staff to Chef school shortly.

We work with local fishermen (our guests often have the pleasure of seeing them come to our beachfront with fresh fish just fished out of the water!) and we work with local fruits and vegetable sellers. All produce is locally grown. We also use our own home-grown products (when they survive the climate!).

All of our suppliers are local and for the most part, have been working with us for years (in particular the plumber and our constructor). We encourage our guests to visit what is available in Diani and to buy local items. We do not encourage them to eat in local food stalls however, primarily for health and hygiene reasons. We do encourage them to eat in other restaurants in Diani that we know to be safe.