Anne Enke's GlamTribale.org Fund

Since 2007 I've told women's stories AnneofCarversville.com. Seeking new sources of income, I launched GlamTribale, a handcrafted jewelry and gift business, in 2012.

In the fall of 2013, I decided that GlamTribale would support The Kibera School for Girls, outside of Nairobi with the intention of eventually making a nonprofit business owned by the school. I have no children and want this to be my legacy for girls.

Initially, I had no idea why I was drawn to writing about Kibera in 2009, but the tie is my muse, the young photographer Dan Eldon, who was stoned to death in Mogadishu 20 years ago. Dan lived 3/4 of a mile from Kibera and was frequently in its streets.

Incredibly, ABC Philadelphia filmed one of my shops on the 20 anniversary of Dan's death. Dan's mother Kathy Eldon is now my friend, and I met her in fall 2013.


Evolution of GlamTribale

I underestimated how difficult it would be to make GlamTribale a success. My best friend and business partner Robert Rothschild and I invested $70,000 in the enterprise.

Determined to succeed, I stayed the course, learning how to make all the jewelry myself and being invited to increasingly more prestigious art & craft shows.

I've also recently opened two shops on the Jersey shore in Ocean City and near Cape May.

Deadly Events Impact GlamTribale & Anne

In July 2013, Robert was diagnosed with stage 1 testicular cancer. Undetected by the best doctors at the U of Penn hospital in Philadelphia, kidney cancer was ravaging his body.

At the very moment GlamTribale was turning the corner to full-fledged success, my days became focused on being his primary caregiver. Robert's brother Donald, who lives an hour away never even called him once. His sister Ellen came for one day, leaving all of his health care responsibilities to me.

I am proud to say that the nurses and doctors told me that I was one of the most articulate health care advocates they had ever seen. I tried my best to speak 2-4x a day to Robert's sister, informing her of every detail of his situation.

In the process of spending 8-18 hours every day at medical facilities, I totally neglected GlamTribale.

Money Does Strange Things To People

As the executor of Robert's mother's estate, Ellen informed me repeatedly that there would be no problems with my inheriting Robert's substantial six-figure estate. The night Robert died, she said there had been a change and that I would inherit nothing. Ellen refused to speak with me again.

My dear friend Robert was a very disorganized person, never keeping critical records. I was crushed two weeks ago when I went to GlamTribale's .com address and was redirected to a GoDaddy parking lot. The domain was not set on auto-renew and the email address assigned to the account was one I've not used in seven years.

My online business was wiped out overnight and must be rebuilt. All the writing on AnneofCarversville.com is full of broken links to GlamTribale and must be repaired.

Today I've decided on a new life course for myself -- one that is solely focused on using my artistry to promote humanitarian values and support The Kibera School for Girls. I will no longer be writing about fashion, unless it's fashion with a purpose that enhances women's lives.

Use of Funds

Funds will be used for fair-wage salaries ($11/hr, which we've paid from day one) for new people to create not only product, but build out the new website with all of our new product designs available online.

We must buy a used van. I spilled a glass of water on my new Mac Powerbook a month ago, ruining it. Robert hadn't bought our usual insurance. In fairness, he was making very bad decisions, given his health situation.

While GlamTribale meets its operating expenses now, I have never taken a $ of salary. This situation must change, especially with the loss of Robert's inheritance.

Clinton Global Initiative

The Clinton Global Initiative is a major advocate for Shining Hope, the parent organization for The Kibera School for Girls.


Rewards will be shipped within 90 days. Full assortment reward choices will be available by July 1 or in person at our shops and shows any time.

As Cheryl Sandberg says: Lean In! Please join me in my personal drive to set my own affairs in order while creating a solid business model to support Kibera girls into the future.

With deep gratitude,
Anne Enke