In the late ’90s and early 2000, the AIDS pandemic swept over a large part of Africa and Kenya was not spared. Children were left orphaned and women widowed, and it became apparent that grandmothers and mothers had to find work in order to feed these children.
Unfortunately, across Africa, it is often seen that poverty carries a woman’s face and the only way to deal with this is empowering women in an economic capacity. The trust saw it fit to find a sustainable way to empower the women in a way that could also boost their moral and keep them busy. Thus, they donated looms and provided a space for the women to work.
The Bakholera women of Samia make up a group of spinners and weavers who delicately handcraft, rugs, dresses, and caftans among others. Over time, they have been able to earn money from their craft and by so doing have found a means to support their children and in some cases grandchildren. The women are able to bring their children to work with them and can always take breaks to nurse and play with them as they work.
A testament to how great the women’s crafts are is that when a group of women from Wyoming paid the craftswomen, they were absolutely blown away by the details and bought everything in sight.
The trust hopes to give opportunities for training and refining of the skills that the women possess and by so doing have their wares sold not only in western Kenya but across the country and potentially internationally.
