New to Nyack: African Art Helps Needy

Kajogo Iguna came to the United States years ago, when he was 23.

But he's still bringing pieces of his home county over the Atlantic, and sharing them with Nyackers.

Iguna—a Valley Cottage resident who teaches sociology and ethics at Mercy College in Westchester—set up shop at 85 South Broadway two weeks ago, selling authentic Kenyan wares like necklaces, figurines and art.

And Iguna has added a benevolent twist to his business—20-percent of money earned goes back to the Kenyans who hand-crafted the items, and have also lost family members to malaria or AIDS.

Local churches in Kenya help teach orphans, men and women who have lost their livelihood how to craft these items for retail.

Iguna has been a familiar presence at Nyack's streetfairs, but recently decided to set up a more permanent home-base.

"We're open seven-days-a-week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.," he said.