Join us for an immersive workshop that brings together the knowledge of African women with today's needs and expectations !

In a modern world searching for meaning, where the needs for well-being, reconnection, and a return to nature are becoming essential, there is a genuine return to our roots. Traditional African medicines, passed down by women, have for generations transmitted natural solutions for self-care with simplicity and effectiveness. This knowledge, still little known in the United States, deserves to be shared and passed on.

In this workshop, you will :

• Discover the following medicinal African plants and their therapeutic uses 

Vetiver – relaxation, calming

Hibiscus – antioxidant, vitality

Ginger – tonic, digestion

Baobab – immunity, energy

Seh-haw and African roots – detox, balance

• Understand their role in the traditional medicines of Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso and the transmission of this knowledge from woman to woman, from generation to generation

• Be guided through a tasting of hot and cold infusions - a 100% African sensory immersion with African rugs and mats, traditional incense, a tasting inspired by African flavors to accompany the herbal infusions, and Kora music to create a soft, authentic atmosphere

• Learn about the social impact of The Women’s Project, and hear the life stories of the women with whom Kany collaborates around plant cultivation, natural herbal infusions, and the development of their small businesses

• Reflect on the transmission of knowledge, intergenerational connections, and intercultural dialogue

This workshop will be led by Kany (she/her), the founder of MamaWrap – Organic Infusion, a brand that promotes medicinal and therapeutic plants from Mali and Senegal, cultivated and harvested by hand by women's cooperatives. These plants carry stories of intergenerational transmission, ancestral know-how, and a commitment to the empowerment of rural women.

"MamaWrap was born from a personal story shaped by transmission, travel, and meaningful encounters. It all began when I had my first child. My mother, of Malian origin, passed on to me simple but powerful practices: babywearing, the use of shea butter, beneficial herbal teas, and natural rituals. Seeing the effects on myself and my baby, I thought, "All women should know these practices, these plants, and their benefits." This discovery blended with the memories of the herbal infusions my grandmother used to tell me about and with my very French love of verbena. During breastfeeding, I rediscovered its benefits: soothing, balancing, perfect after a stressful day. I wanted to share this and create a bridge between African traditions and my own roots,” says Kany. 

Before MamaWrap, Kany worked as a development project manager for a French NGO in Chad, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. Alongside some incredible women, she learned the importance of transmission and autonomy. It was with them that she began cultivating certain plants, including verbena, while supporting their local small businesses. She sources 100% of Mama Wrap's natural herbal infusions directly from these women, to actively contribute to their economic empowerment. The idea of importing these plants to the United States became obvious when she worked at the Alliance Francaise de Philadelphie as a social media manager and realised how difficult it was to find them here. That was the turning point: offering these natural treasures to women in the United States, while continuing to support the women she works with in Africa.

Event Information

Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Alliance Française de Philadelphie, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Language: English, French
Cost: $20 for members / $25 for non members

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