Our Kenyan Jewellery is made collaboratively between the fantastic husband and wife team, Anton and Benta as well as skilled artisans that are part of a Fair Trade social enterprise in Mombasa, Kenya. The artisans at Bombolulu Workshops in Kenya hand make all of the chains for our necklaces as well as some other well-loved pieces in our Kenyan Jewellery collection. Established in 1969 as a rehabilitation project sponsored by the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, this workshop is always a joy to visit.
As well as jewellery, these highly-skilled artisans are also trained in leatherwork, wood carving and textiles. Employing just over 100 people, this workshop offers vital training and income to the most vulnerable and marginalised members of society. Everything is made completely by hand by the artisans, including each individual link of chain. A registered member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), the non-profit organisation provides support to disabled artisans to help them work with their physical limitations and empower them economically and socially to become fully integrated members of their communities. As well as vocational training, the artisans are provided with many social benefits, including a clinic, nursery, and a HIV prevention clinic.
The artisans disabilities vary, meaning they all require different levels of support and accommodations. Each artisan is treated fairly and assessed based on their individual needs so that the organisation can support them to the best of their abilities. As well as offering employment, the non-profit also runs lots of workshops and activities for the artisans to participate in so that they can further their education, meet new people and have fun! The organisation is made up of 4 separate, sheltered workshops and hopes to expand in the near future. Last year they announced that they would be implementing a three-year DFID-funded project dubbed ‘Innovation to Inclusion’ with the main goal to promote access to and opportunities for apprenticeships, internships and employment for people with disabilities. They aim to create paid employment for 3,000 disabled people in total.
Shop our Kenyan Jewellery here.