THE TRADITIONAL WOOD CARVINGS OF EAST AFRICA ARE BRINGING GREATER EXPORT RETURNS THAN EVER. HUNDREDS OF SQUATTING AFRICANS IN MOMBASA - AND EVERYWHERE ELSE - CARRY ON THE ANCIENT CRAFT FOR AN INCOME OF ABOUT FIVE SHILLINGS A DAY.

ONE BIG SOURCE OF BUSINESS FOR THE CARVERS IS AN AMERICAN CLUB WHICH BUYS UP THEIR PRODUCTS IN BULK. CLUB MEMBERS IN THE US PAY ONE DOLLAR A MONTH (THERE ARE 700,000 MEMBERS) AND IN RETURN THEY RECEIVE SOUVENIRS FROM 12 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. THIS MEANS THAT MOMBASA HAS A REGULAR ORDER FOR 700,000 WOODEN CARVINGS EACH YEAR.