“It would be like us stealing our grandfather’s tombstone from on top of his grave, or our grandmother’s ashes, and selling them.”

Anthropologist Monica L. Udvardy speaks about the trade of stolen sacred memorial totems (vigango) from the villages of Kenya to private collectors and art dealers in the West in The Christian Science Monitor, 03.02.06

Kalume and his vigango, 1985

SAFE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions are tax deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon request, a copy of the last financial report filed by SAFE may be obtained by writing SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone Inc., P.O. Box 231172, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023-0020, USA or the NY State Attorney General at The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341.

We are SAFE

Thomas McShane

“Thanks to the insight, dedication and hard work
of Cindy Ho, founder
of SAFE, the Art World
and public in general are being made aware of the illegal trade in World Antiquities. During my 25 years with the FBI, fighting Art Crime, the rise in looting, smuggling and trading
in illicit antiquities was constantly on the upswing. SAFE has a unique mission: let us preserve and enjoy our cultural heritage and fight those who would destroy it."

Tom is a retired FBI Undercover Art Agent.