About

At Yambini the boss, the employee of the month, and the person who makes the coffee are all the same person - me (also Known as Yolande).

Somewhere in between balancing my day job as a freelance designer, and my afternoon and evening job as a wife and mom of twins, I steal moments in time to become the storyteller and illustrator behind Yambini. 

My Process?

I think of my kids, I think of my wife, and whichever other loved ones that can play a role in the story I am creating. I literally create the books for them and then just take them out once I am done. When I create something that I am willing gift to someone I love, then I know it's good enough to go out into the world.

My Journey

Since 2023, I’ve been living in Hamburg, Germany, after previously calling Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa, home. Throughout my life, I’ve experienced both the hurt of exclusion and rejection, and then the warmth of true acceptance.

In Hamburg, my diverse family and I live with much more freedom, though we do still get the occasional judgmental glance here or there - after all, people are people, no matter where you go.

   

I wish the moments of exclusion in my life were a lot fewer and farther between, but my experience in this has taught me that I need to teach my children more about tolerance and acceptance, so that they can play their part in making the world a better place for all who live in it.

I am always on the lookout for books that teach my kids about inclusion, diversity and more. And in turn have created my latest personalised story "The best me I can be, is me." to play my part in brewing inclusivity, not intolerance. 

Conclusion

So, when you pick up a Yambini book, know that it was made with heart, by someone who believes that personalised stories have the power to bring joy, build self-confidence and teach valuable life lessons.